The Browns lost on Sunday to the New England Patriots to the tune of 34-17. But did anyone really expect them to win? Despite many opportunities to stay in the game, the Browns tallied up mistakes and turnovers which led to the defeat.
The Browns now sit at 2-3. Maybe not that impressive to some, but much better than expected considering the Browns’ opponents. With a win this Sunday against the hapless Dolphins, the Browns could march into their bye week at 3-3. If that is the case, third year wideout Braylon Edwards will certainly have done his part.
Edwards came into the league in 2005. Highly touted from Michigan, it was immediately evident that the young man had talent. But he also had concentration issues. For every incredible catch, he would follow it up with a back breaking drop.
In early December of 2005, it got worse for Braylon. After making a sensational catch in traffic, the rookie came down funny on his leg. Lying on the ground in agony, it was all too apparent; Edwards tore his ACL and was done for the season.
In 2006, Edwards’ numbers were fairly good—61 receptions, 884 yards, and six touchdowns—but inconsistency at the quarterback position did not allow the second year wideout to show his full potential. There were also maturity issues. At one point last season, an angry Edwards grabbed the jersey of then quarterback Charlie Frye on the sidelines in demonstration of his own frustration. In another incident, Edwards flew to a Michigan-Ohio State game the day before his Cleveland Browns would take the field. And this was after coach Romeo Crennel told him not to do so.
This season, Edwards does his talking on the field—and it’s paying off. After five weeks, Edwards is ranked fourth in the league among yardage wide receivers and tight ends. Edwards has caught 24 passes for 485 yards and four touchdowns. It is typical for many wide receivers to finally show their true potential in their third season. This is very true of Braylon Edwards, who looks like he will shatter his stats of last season.
Last week, Edwards caught six passes for 110 yards in the loss to New England. This week, he faces the winless Miami Dolphins—the team that passed on him to select running back Ronnie Brown. If Edwards can stay healthy this year, it is likely he will be playing his final game in Honolulu. That is something Cleveland hasn’t been able to boast about since the Browns linebacker Jamir Miller was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2001.
In 2007, Braylon Edwards is a shining star for the Cleveland Browns. Now, it’s time for the rest of the league to take notice.
Keywords: Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns, Dolphins, New England Patriots, NFL, Ronnie Brown
