At this point in the Cleveland Browns' "Season of Dreams," the hot topic among fans is just what exactly the most disappointing aspect of our team is.
Some may say it was Derek Anderson's not-so-subtle attempts to make the team regret giving him a contract extension. Others may claim watching every sideline shot of Romeo Crennel looking less like he's coaching and more like he's trying to solve the Da Vinci Code is what has them struggling to keep their food down.
But, gun to my head, I'd have to say the significant downgrade of receiver Braylon Edwards is No. 1 on my Letterman's Top Ten list.
So far, Edwards leads the NFL in dropped passes, has been anything but clutch, and seems way too easily rattled by the slightest mistake.
This would be a letdown for any receiver at any level of the game. However, the glare is bigger for Edwards after the season he put up last year.
Last season, as the Browns shocked the world with ten more wins than anyone thought they could get, Edwards lead the way with 1,289 receiving yards and a team record 16 touchdown catches. Many believed 2007 was the coming out party for No. 17.
I'm willing to bet the majority of those people are scratching their heads as much as I am these days when looking at Edwards' stat sheet.
This year, Braylon has looked less like he did last season and more like Dennis Northcutt. And many people are starting to wonder just what happened.
This can't be the same receiver that broke Gary Collins' franchise touchdown record in almost routine fashion last year. And it can't be the same Braylon Edwards who, throughout 2007, would dive for (and usually catch) any ball within 20 yards, in good weather and in a blizzard.
So, what happened?
Is Braylon bipolar? No, but evidence is certainly piling up on that case if we're basing it on how the Browns perform as a whole.
In 2006, the Browns finished 4-12 and Edwards finished with 61 receptions for 884 yards and six touchdowns. He was also famous for making quite a few sideline displays, rarely running routes through the middle of the field, and showing up late for a team meeting after going to the Ohio State-Michigan game in a helicopter.
While that Braylon reeked of immaturity, last year's Braylon played as if it were his last season. He was one of the key members of a team that surprised the league with a 10-6 record thanks to the aforementioned stats. He also donated $1 million to local schools and paid for the funeral of a sick child he had met just once before.
One season later, Edwards is the poster child for Yahoo! fantasy football and spends time peddling out 5-Hour Energy shots. His crucial drops cost the team touchdowns and were eventually one of the reasons Derek Anderson is riding pine these days.
So I ask again, what happened?
3 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dustin Haley 7 months ago
Good Article. I agree that Braylon has probably been the main catalyst for the disappointing season thus far. Hopefully he get's his act together.
"(although please wait 'til Tuesday, maybe even Wednesday when you ask us, we may still be upset from Sunday)." -- I think you mean Monday. ;)
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David-S Serdinak 7 months ago
I've been so disgusted that I tried not to think about football. I agree that Edward's drops have been the biggest disappointment, but there are many contenders in the category. How 'bout an all-pro quarterback who can't win? Sure, some of his problems were due to his supporting cast but I'm a firm believer that DA's wounds have been self-inflicted. How 'bout paying for Stallworth who seems to be way too injury prone? How 'bout a defense that'll only show up when the offense won't? How 'bout a coach who was given a contract extension and now will have to be bought-out? Now we have the symptom of every team that has been lost by their coach: finger-pointing. How many prime time games will we get next year?
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The Coop 7 months ago
This was a great article. I love your writing style.
Call me crazy, but I seriously wonder if DA would have been benched if Edwards could catch the damn ball. For instance, if he catches that bomb and scores a TD in the Baltimore game, the Browns win and Anderson gets another week. I also think Braylon significantly contributed to the Washington loss.
In college, Braylon always had the dropsies on easy passes. However, he was SO dominant and seemed to always make the really tough catch that people could overlook a few drops here and there. But now it's fallen completely apart for him. I think you did a great job of examining his psyche and relationship with the team, etc.
But, I would have liked to see your suggestions on what the Browns do with him. Bench him? Fine him for drops? Cut their losses and try to trade him after the season? These are tough questions that the Browns are going to have to answer. I don't think the Browns are in a position to "wait and see" or "hope" that he turns it around. They need dependable playmakers NOW, and they've got to be proactive in this situation in order to get results.
Romeo figuring out the Da Vinci Code.... hilarious.
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