Braylon Edwards Gets Dumped by the Cleveland Browns

BREAKING NEWS in the NFL. According to Fanhouse.com, the Cleveland Browns have traded their talented Wide Receiver, Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets. The trade was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN and the follow-up details were later reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. As we all know, the "Devil is in the Details." Mr. Glazer reports that the Jets will send two draft picks, 3^rd yr LB Jason Trusnik out of Ohio Northern, and 3^rd yr WR Chansi Stuckey out of Clemson. A mid-season trade of a marquis player is highly unusual in the NFL and might signal Cleveland's acknowledgment that this year is a rebuilding year. I guess an 0 -4 start coupled with musical chairs at the QB position wasn't enough of an indicator. They've decided to dump their most talented player for good measure.

On the flip-side of that coin is what this means to the New York Jets. They are off to a 3 - 1 start and have seen magic between the hash marks from their young team. With a new head coach, a #1 draft pick starting at quarterback as a rookie, and an exciting new defense, this makes a lot of sense for the Jets. This is also a cannon shot across the bow in the AFC East because the Jets clearly have their sights set on the division title. With a head-to-head victory over the New England Patriots, the Jets are free to dream big.

It remains to be seen how this turn of events affects Braylon Edwards himself. His talent has never been questioned, but his hands have always been a question mark. Dropped passes in the shadow of the New York media spotlight will return sharper criticism than they did for a moribund team in Cleveland. Additionally, Mr. Edwards has been in the news for suspicion of a recent altercation at a nightclub involving a close friend of none other than the King of Cleveland, LeBron James. The NFL has an open investigation in the matter to determine if Edwards has violated the NFL's Conduct Policy.

Only time will tell how this trade will work out for all involved, but it definitely will keep our attention for the remainder of the NFL season and probably hit the headlines again during the 2010 NFL Draft when Cleveland reaps the benefits of the draft picks they received in return for their troubled former star.