The Eighth Ends The Streak at Five
July 29, 2009MLB Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee Traded to Philadelphia (Official)
July 29, 2009
As we await (a music-laced) training camp to kick of this Saturday morning in Berea, the big news to come across the wire last night was that Braylon Edwards failed his physical and has been placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury List.
The difference between the NFI list and PUP (physically unable to perform) is that Edwards will still count as an active player on the roster. He can begin practicing at any time, where anyone placed on PUP would be required to wait six weeks in to the season.
While the news in and of itself is not a great start to the season, neither is the story that is attached to it that Edwards did not report to camp when he was supposed to. Missing OTAs this past spring, the Browns reportedly asked Edwards to report with the rookies earlier this week. Edwards, however, did not report to Berea until yesterday and then proceeded to fail his physical.
Lane Adkins from The OBR reports that the injury is not believed to be significant, and should be remedied within the week. This is encouraging. What is notencouraging is that when we reported during the Browns OTAs that Edwards injured his ankle playing basketball – an injury later confirmed by sources close to the team – we were also told that the injury was minor and that it would have no impact on Edwards’ play.
And it may not, in the long run. But what it could have impacted at that time was any possible trade scenario.
What if the Browns were confronted with the coveted (and rumored) first- and third-round selections for Edwards’ services around draft day and then he failed a physical, ultimately voiding the deal? Hypothetical, yes. But it also shows that his off-court decision making is impacting a lot more than himself. The team needs Edwards to revert back to his Pro Bowl caliber ways more than any other player on the offensive side of the ball. I think we can all agree that playing pick-up basketball is not the best way to accomplish this feat, cardio workout aside.
The words of Edwards’ new found focus, “best shape of his career,” and improved feeling towards fans and the city of Cleveland are great. But if every one of these reports are countered with running shoeless during practice, playing pick-up basketball and failing physicals, it makes it that much more difficult to embrace the player who carries a heavy load of responsibility during the upcoming season. Here’s hoping that Adkins’ report is correct and come this time next week, this is all water under the proverbial bridge.
22 Comments
I hate Braylon.
ship him out…..quickly
In other news, it was actually Chris Tucker, not Braylon Edwards that showed up for the physical. Even the Browns’ training staff were convinced it was Edwards.
FML
Ahhh, the 2009 Browns season is off to a rousing start!
Robiske is grinning ear to ear….
Thanks to the Tribe’s ineptness I was drinking the Browns’ kool-aid for a bit, thinking maybe they won’t be so bad. Hearing about Braylon made me spit up the kool-aid, and now I’m anticipating another double-digit loss season.
@#2, who’s going to give us anything more than pennies on the dollar at this point?
Braylon actually did this like 2 weeks ago at EMH in Avon… after another week his sprained ankle should be good enough to go for like the third preseason game…I think it is just dumb luck or lack there of luck…hahaha
Honestly, I don’t think Braylon makes or breaks this team, which is good news. This team will be based on running, possession receptions and defense. Braylon doesn’t do any of that
@ DP, pennies on the dollar is better than having a ‘me-first’ cancer on this team
Braylon is nothing but trouble. I would take pretty much anything for him at this point. Hes overpaid and a cancer in the club house. He does stupid things on and off the field. Braylon only cares about Braylon. BOTTOM LINE. Ship him out, when we can.
@8, allow me to annotate your comment: Honestly, I don’t think Braylon makes or breaks this team, which is good news (because it’s not really a “make or break” scenario when the team is going to lose at least 10 games with or without him). This team will be based on running (hey, Jamal Lewis technically isn’t dead yet and didn’t we just draft the backup from Clemson?) possession receptions (because our starting Quarterback can’t and/or won’t throw more than 10 yards downfield and the receivers we just drafted couldn’t even get separation in college) and defense (where we are always among the worst teams in the league and have little reason to believe that will change). Braylong doesn’t do any of that (of course he doesn’t because unless it involves running his mouth, posing for glamour shots, or dropping passes, Braylon wants no part of it).
GO BROWNS!
What I meant is that to me, it makes more sense to let him heal the injury, play a bit and establish a little more value before just cutting bait. I mean, I love the thought of Mike Furrey, Syndric Steptoe, David Patten, and two rookies as our full-time receiving corps as much as the next guy, but if Roy Williams can get a #1 mid-season last year, why couldn’t we wait and see if Braylon can play better and get us a better pick than he would right now?
Brandon Marshall starting to look good to anyone right about now?
Whatever. The Browns were 4-12 last year and will struggle to be mediocre this year, whether Edwards has a big free agency year or not. He’s most likely not with us after this year regardless. Fretting over a peacock, me-first receiver on a team with suspect lines is like fretting over the kitchen wallpaper when the water is pouring through the roof and into the basement.
@ Harv – That wallpaper really ties the room together.
And he’s from michigan
WE NEED TO GET ROBISKIE SIGNED!!!
I hope that…
contract year = big numbers for BE
This clown STILL doesn’t get it.
Someday he might look back on his career and really regret the way he peed it all away. Even with his own gigantic ego, he might realize that it was his fault and his alone.
I don’t care anymore. Get rid of him. Let him stoke his ego somewhere else.
Braylon doesn’t want Cleveland and Cleveland doesn’t want Braylon… send his whiny sorry duppa out of here and get someone who somewhat wants to be here and can actually catch a ball.
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