NFL Free Agency: Why Braylon Edwards Should Be Cut Loose by the New York Jets

After several off-the-field issues in Cleveland, Braylon Edwards (6'3'', 214 pounds) was in need of a fresh start.

In 2009, Edwards was traded to the New York Jets for two players and later-round draft picks. Since then, he has improved his skills and made plays, but there are still lingering issues that make Jets fans groan for the price they are paying him.

With unrestricted free agency staring him directly in the face, would it benefit Rex Ryan to not sign him for another season?

This slideshow will provide a few reasons as to why the New York Jets should cut Braylon Edwards loose.

Plaxico Burress

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LEBANON - JANUARY 14: New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress winks at a supporter as he arrives at the Lebanon County Courthouse January 14, 2009 in Lebanon, Pa. Burress is scheduled to appear in a civil trial in a dispute with an automobile deale

The player who sealed the deal for a 2008 Superbowl win is back and has thought about playing in New York. This time it just might be for the team in green and white.

During his last two years with the Giants, Burress was a vertical downfield threat for an inconsistent Eli Manning, finishing with 1479 yards on 105 catches.

Though Burress had issues with Tom Coughlin (to be honest, who doesn't), he was a force to be reckoned with until he performed his best Lil Wayne impression and shot himself in a New York nightclub.

With his release from prison today, former teammates had a few words of encouragement: “Plaxico’s not a bad guy,” Michael Strahan told the New York Post. “He just made a bad decision; a dumb decision which cost him two years. I think he’ll be back, hopefully with the Giants. But whoever gets him, he’ll be an asset."

Many players on the New York Giants squad would like to have Burress back, but the more time passes, it seems as if that will not happen.

If the Jets do acquire Plaxico, they would be getting a player who has not seen action since November 25^th, 2008. But it seems as if incarcerated players come back in better shape due to a break from physical punishment. Also, how would he fit into the new scheme with coaches and players?

Example? Michael Vick adjusted quite well after spending a few years in prison on a dog-fighting conviction. With Burress being only 34 years old and having fresh legs, this would be a huge pick up for a young Mark Sanchez.

Salary Cap

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 celebrates with wide receiver Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets after Edwards catches an 80-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from Sanchez against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC

The internal motto of any business is to create a product this is better, faster and cheaper. General manager, Mike Tannenbaum, and the Jets had a decent NFL Draft in 2011, but a lot of players drafted were on the defensive side of the ball.

The only picks on the offensive side are developing receiver Scotty McKnight and slot wideout Jeremy Kerley from TCU.

These are good players with speed, but slot wideouts lack the ability to run long routes and stretch the field.

The Jets have an abundance of impact players entering free agency, during the off-season—Antonio Cromartie, Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith. All would free up cap space to pick up players at positions that lack depth.

In 2010 the Jets tendered Edwards $6.1 Million. Cutting Edwards would free up $4,855,000 in cap space. Even though Edwards is leaning towards a possible pay cut, his disposal would be a financial benefit to the Jets in more ways than one way.

Randy Moss

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Approaching the age of 34, Randy Moss wants to win one Superbowl before his decorated career is finished. After spending three years with New England, Moss was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2010 season.

Though many were intrigued by the nostalgia, it went all downhill when Moss began running his mouth and became a thorn in the side of Brad Childress.

After falling out with the Vikings organization in a matter of weeks, Moss was waived and eventually picked up by the Tennessee Titans. But due to lack of motivation, he only finished with 393 yards on 27 catches—well below his yearly average.

Yes, Randy Moss has a history of being a poison inside locker rooms, but picking him up from free agency makes sense.  

Mark Sanchez is a young quarterback who lacks accuracy and has poise issues in the pocket. With the acquisition of Randy Moss, the Jets will be able to stretch the field with a veteran, for a lesser price than Braylon Edwards.

If Rex Ryan can control Moss’ temper and brash personality, he would be a great fit for the Jets.

Santonio Holmes

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 and Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrate on their way to defeating the New England Patriots 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillet

If you had to choose, who would you keep? Would the Jets be making a mistake if they break up the WR duo of Edwards and Holmes?

Though Edwards finished higher in the YAC category at 5.7, Holmes was clearly on pace to have a better season. In only 15 games, Holmes caught 52 passes for 746 yards and six touchdowns, to Edwards 904 yards on 53 receptions for seven touchdowns.

In many games during the 2010 season, it was Holmes, not Edwards, catching the winning pass to give the Jets crucial victories.

Now when comparing the two, their body of work is decent, but the numbers show Holmes is the better receiver with his clutch playmaking abilities.

Even with a better showing by Edwards, Holmes is the more aggressive receiver. The Jets would only be gaining $1,400,000 in salary cap money if they cut Holmes, an amount much lower than Braylon Edwards'.

Consistency

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets catches a pass over Darius Butler #28 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, M

Inconsistent route running and catching has plagued Braylon Edwards since his entry into the NFL. After making his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2007, Edwards led the NFL with 16 dropped passes in 2008. In 2010, Edwards seems to have fixed the problem with only 2 drops in 101 passes thrown to him.

But also in 2010, Edwards was again in the national spotlight for something negative off the field. Edwards was charged with a DUI and is currently in a court case to determine his fate.

Though fans seem pleased with Edwards' efforts, there is a concern of his commitment to Rex Ryan's team.

"I love the way he played—he was really into it—but you're killing us," Ryan told reporters after his DUI arrest. "You can't put the team in that kind of jeopardy. I appreciate how passionate he is, but you don't want to be selfish. That's basically what that is."

Granted, there are some bright spots as Edwards has a great ability to use his 6'3'' frame for run blocking. But for the price they are paying him, it has yet to pay off.