Braylon Edwards and the New York Jets: A Team in Turmoil

Many people predicted big things this season for the Jets. They were considered to be a Super Bowl favorite coming out of the AFC. I had trouble with this thinking, and it seems my thoughts on the team were not baseless.

After two games, the Jets have been Jekyll and Hyde. Their offense looked ugly against the Ravens. The following week, Mark Sanchez seemingly swapped places with Tom Brady in their shellacking of the Patriots. Now the team has a whole new set of problems and might be reverting back to their Week 1 performance this Sunday.

Among the woes this week include an injured Darrelle Revis (hamstring), and a strung out Braylon Edwards, who was arrested Tuesday for driving while intoxicated. No worries, though, Rex Ryan has no problems with playing Edwards after the incident. It’s just another “incident” after all, nothing to take too seriously. After all, the Jets are the first team you would expect to discipline (sense the sarcasm).

Edwards is set to play but not start this Sunday against the Dolphins. Owner Woody Johnson has backed this decision, adding that in his multiple conversations with him he has shown the appropriate remorse for what he did. What? How much remorse do you have to show to be back on good terms with this organization? What, did he say sorry? Is that enough?

This is not Edwards’ first scratch with the law. He has had several when he was with the Browns. Yet a slap on the wrist seems to suffice as proper punishment. Ben Roethisberger gets suspended for four games for incidents off the field that are largely unjustified. The main difference between the Steelers (a championship team) and the Jets (a pretender) is their tolerance for bull.

Johnson claims he research multiple drunk-driving arrests from around the league and claims their discipline is about as severe an action as he’s seen.

What’s more, Edwards has not apologized for it yet. This guy does not care for the team, he just wants to get his. And another thing, I understand guys wanting to go out, have fun, put a couple of drinks back, but to then get in a car and drive? I don’t care if he had half a drink or five drinks, you just don’t do it, especially when you are a professional athlete with major responsibilities to your team.

This is just another blemish on the Jets record as a whole that does absolutely nothing for hopes of a cleaner image. I’m picking the Dolphins this Sunday to beat the Jets in what will be a sluggish, inconsistent, and underwhelming year that had high aspirations.