Former Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards dropped in New Jersey on Wednesday and talked about "freeing" himself of "the situation" in Cleveland. The newest New York Jets player said losing "can definitely take the joy out of the game."
Well, Edwards got the change of scenery he wanted, and the Jets now have the deep-threat target they sorely needed.
"Coming here to a team that's doing well with a new head coach that has them going in the right direction and just freeing myself of the situation and coming to another situation," Edwards said, "I think it's a fresh start and a clean slate."
Edwards was expected to practice for the first time Thursday, and coach Rex Ryan said he'll start in the team's next game at Miami on Monday night.
"I've had to defend against him twice a year in Baltimore, and that's not fun," Ryan said. "He is a matchup nightmare."
As for the Browns, Head Coach Eric Mangini basically described the trade a win-win.
"This was a really good thing for us and a really good thing for Braylon," Mangini said. "I wish him the best."
Coming to Cleveland in exchange for Edwards is third-year wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and linebacker Jason Trusnik -- a northeast Ohio native who is better known as special teams ace. It is believed that the Browns also received a conditional third-round draft pick and a fifth-round selection.
Mangini said that he tought it was a sound move for the Browns because it presented the franchise with a good opportunity to add some depth "for the short term and the long term."
Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, was in his fifth season with the Browns. He is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the year, and had made comments recently that insinuated he was looking forward to leaving Cleveland. Plus, he comes with some well publicized off-the-field baggage.
The NFL is probing whether Edwards violated the league's conduct policy following accusations he assaulted a friend of NBA star LeBron James outside a Downtown Cleveland nightclub early Monday morning.
Edwards has been involved in other off-field incidents, a factor commissioner Roger Goodell considers when handing out any discipline.
In March, Edwards was partying with suspended wide receiver Donte' Stallworth in Miami the night Stallworth later drove drunk and killed a pedestrian. Edwards was not with Stallworth at the time of the accident.
Last November, Edwards was fined $150 and given 30 hours of community service after he was found guilty of driving 120 mph.
Fox 8's Tony Rizzo says that the Jets were one of the teams with which the Browns had serious trade negotiations regarding Edwards in the offseason. Rizzo speculates that the recent nightclub incident, which resulted in the assault allegation, was the final straw for Mangini, who is known for his disciplinarian approach to coaching.
When asked if the trade was a direct result of Edwards' off-the-field troubles, Mangini basically dodged the question.
"Personal concuct is important," the coach said. "This was one that was good for us and good for Braylon.
"I had a really good conversation with him this morning. It's a fresh start for him, and I hope he continues to reach his potential and takes advantage of the opportinity he has."
Ryan, on the other hand, said he consulted with people he trusts; his twin brother, Rob, is the Browns' defensive coordinator.
Well, Edwards got the change of scenery he wanted, and the Jets now have the deep-threat target they sorely needed.
"Coming here to a team that's doing well with a new head coach that has them going in the right direction and just freeing myself of the situation and coming to another situation," Edwards said, "I think it's a fresh start and a clean slate."
Edwards was expected to practice for the first time Thursday, and coach Rex Ryan said he'll start in the team's next game at Miami on Monday night.
"I've had to defend against him twice a year in Baltimore, and that's not fun," Ryan said. "He is a matchup nightmare."
As for the Browns, Head Coach Eric Mangini basically described the trade a win-win.
"This was a really good thing for us and a really good thing for Braylon," Mangini said. "I wish him the best."
Coming to Cleveland in exchange for Edwards is third-year wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and linebacker Jason Trusnik -- a northeast Ohio native who is better known as special teams ace. It is believed that the Browns also received a conditional third-round draft pick and a fifth-round selection.
Mangini said that he tought it was a sound move for the Browns because it presented the franchise with a good opportunity to add some depth "for the short term and the long term."
Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, was in his fifth season with the Browns. He is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the year, and had made comments recently that insinuated he was looking forward to leaving Cleveland. Plus, he comes with some well publicized off-the-field baggage.
The NFL is probing whether Edwards violated the league's conduct policy following accusations he assaulted a friend of NBA star LeBron James outside a Downtown Cleveland nightclub early Monday morning.
Edwards has been involved in other off-field incidents, a factor commissioner Roger Goodell considers when handing out any discipline.
In March, Edwards was partying with suspended wide receiver Donte' Stallworth in Miami the night Stallworth later drove drunk and killed a pedestrian. Edwards was not with Stallworth at the time of the accident.
Last November, Edwards was fined $150 and given 30 hours of community service after he was found guilty of driving 120 mph.
Fox 8's Tony Rizzo says that the Jets were one of the teams with which the Browns had serious trade negotiations regarding Edwards in the offseason. Rizzo speculates that the recent nightclub incident, which resulted in the assault allegation, was the final straw for Mangini, who is known for his disciplinarian approach to coaching.
When asked if the trade was a direct result of Edwards' off-the-field troubles, Mangini basically dodged the question.
"Personal concuct is important," the coach said. "This was one that was good for us and good for Braylon.
"I had a really good conversation with him this morning. It's a fresh start for him, and I hope he continues to reach his potential and takes advantage of the opportinity he has."
Ryan, on the other hand, said he consulted with people he trusts; his twin brother, Rob, is the Browns' defensive coordinator.
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