Braylon Edwards: The Weakest Link for the Cleveland Browns

Maybe you feel that benching the Pro-Bowl Quarterback (Derek Anderson) would be the answer for the Browns. I sure didn't.

As I'm writing this, I'm watching the Browns/Texans game, as Braylon Edwards is now up to an NFL-high 16 drops on the season. At the rate he drops them, I may need to revise this before all is said and done.

Well that was quick - Edwards just dropped a pass in the endzone late in the 4^th quarter - are we up to 17 drops on the season now, or maybe more?

5.45 million dollars. That's a lot of money. All that money is going to Edwards for the 16 games he'll play this year. For those of you who don't have a calculator nearby, that's 340,625 dollars per game. For the Browns, this is 5.45 million dollars that they're wasting this year on Edwards.

Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Edwards had just over 500 yards and only 3 touchdowns this season. Sure, all those Brady Quinn fans had a chance to try and blame it on DA (Derek Anderson), but then once Quinn did get a chance to start, he went 1-1 and then was pulled in the Texans game. It didn't seem to matter though - Quinn and Anderson both had near-identical completion percentages and another constant was that Edwards dropped passes when both of them were under center.

Sure, you can also say the downfall of the Browns this season has been the play-calling by Romeo Crennel. I'd agree with anyone who puts up and argument for that. And yes, I'd also agree that Brandon McDonald and the secondary haven't been stellar this season.

The fact remains, however, that Braylon Edwards is the weakest link for the Cleveland Browns. The consistent dropped passes the entire season have not only cost the Browns touchdowns and field position, but it certainly hasn't helped build any confidence with the quarterback, whether that be Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn.

Edwards was drafted 3^rd overall in the 2005 draft to come from Michigan (who have now lost to Ohio State in 5 consecutive years) to be a receiving threat for the Browns offense and to provide so relief from the rest of the receiving corps, such as Dennis Northcutt, who is now no longer with Cleveland and is having a mediocre season with Jacksonville.

What Edwards has turned out to be is a bust. His lack of hustle and precision route-running on the field has led to dropped passes, missed opportunities and interceptions that could have otherwise been prevented. It has removed fans from the stands and when Jamal Lewis and Joshua Cribbs both recently brought up their feelings about teammates quitting, I wouldn't been surprised if Edwards was one of the unnamed quitters.

Speaking of Cribbs, he is one of the hardest playing and most-versatile players on the roster. Making in a year about what Edwards makes in two weeks, Cribbs not only serves as a kick returner, punt returner and reserve wide receiver, but also appears as the quarterback in the Browns sparsely used wildcat formation and leads the team in tackles on special teams (both kick and punt coverage). An undrafted free agent out of Kent State, this player truly leaves everything he has out on the field week after week, yet despite his performance and efforts, he receives a fraction of what the Browns are wasting on Edwards and sees minimal touches on offense, despite his position flexibility and team-driven attitude.

So to all you Cleveland fans who have been throwing Anderson (or Quinn) under the bus all season for the way this season is turning out, don't forget who led the Browns to where they were last year. Also, take a second look at Edwards' attitude out on the field and the lack of drive and motivation to make a play. Sure Anderson has thrown interceptions, what quarterback hasn't? And yes, Brandon McDonald has blown pass coverage, but what cornerback hasn't. And yes, there have been penalties, fumbles and other miscues, but nothing has been as crucial as Edwards dropped passes and lack of enthusiasm for the sport week after week.

Braylon Edwards, you ARE the weakest link.... But when will we get to say goodbye? It won't be soon enough.