BEREA — Braylon Edwards is no longer the Browns’ headache. Or their most talented offensive player.
The Browns traded the former Pro Bowl receiver to the New York Jets this morning for receiver Chansi Stuckey, who started three games this season, special teamer Jason Trusnik and two undisclosed draft choices. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the picks are third- and fifth-rounders.
Braylon Edwards
“Looking at this opportunity, this was a really good thing for us and a good thing for Braylon, and I wish him all the best,” Browns coach Eric Mangini said.
Edwards had a checkered career in Cleveland since being the No. 3 overall pick in 2005, and the latest off-the-field incident may have punched his ticket out of town.
Edwards was alledgedly involved in an incident outside a nightclub early Monday morning. A friend of LeBron James claimed Edwards punched him in the face.
Mangini was asked if the trade was a result of the altercation.
“Personal conduct is important to me,” he said. “(Trade) opportunities come up at different times. I thought that this was one that was good for us and good for Braylon.”
Many of the Browns players expressed shocked over the move. Edwards was the biggest name on offense and the guy opposing defenses had to game-plan for the most.
But they realize the NFL is a business and that Mangini may have been sending a message to the rest of the locker room.
“That’s been the message since he got here: You’re gonna do things the way you’re supposed to do it and told to do it, and if you’re not then we’ll find somebody else,” left tackle Joe Thomas said.
Edwards set a franchise record with 16 touchdown catches in 2007 and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. He led the league last year in dropped passes and got off to a slow start this season.
Mangini spent the last three years as coach of the Jets, before being fired in January and quickly hired by Cleveland owner Randy Lerner. On draft day in April, Mangini dealt the No. 5 pick to the Jets for picks and players. The Jets used the fifth selection on USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, who became the first rookie quarterback to win his first three starts.
He’s now given the Jets a starting quarterback and No. 1 receiver.
