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Do IT this week: Layering
Wide receiver admits he's not same player he was a season ago
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Nov 24, 2008
CLEVELAND: Browns receiver Braylon Edwards didn't want to talk about his inconsistent team and its maddening mistakes. He was more frustrated by his inconsistent play and maddening mistakes.
A Pro Bowler a year ago who set a franchise record with 16 touchdowns, Edwards has to be thankful the team doesn't keep records for dropped passes. He added at least two more Sunday, giving him 18 this season, as the Browns fell 16-6 to the visiting Houston Texans.
''I'm not worried about what outside people say. I'm just worried about my team,'' Edwards said. ''When they're depending on me to make that play, I've got to deliver. I don't know what it is, but I've got to go somewhere and get my head together.''
While he still led the Browns with five receptions for 85 yards, Edwards was most distraught about a play that some didn't consider a drop.
The Browns trailed by 10 with 7:49 remaining and faced second and 6 from the Houston 21. Quarterback Derek Anderson, replacing the benched Brady Quinn, found Edwards in the right corner of the end zone, but cornerback Jacques Reeves got his hand in to tip the ball. Edwards had another chance at it and failed to pull it in.
''It could have been a touchdown; it should have been a touchdown,'' Anderson said. ''It wasn't, but that happens. I'm going to keep throwing it to him and he's going to keep making plays.''
Edwards said it would have been a difficult catch, ''but I hold myself to a higher standard.
''That's a catch I've got to make for this team. If I would have caught [it], it's a different ballgame, we're down three with five minutes to go. I don't what it is. I work hard throughout the course of the week. I know what I'm supposed to be doing and I'm in the right spots. I've just got to finish plays.''
When it was suggested that he could be pressing or has lost his confidence, Edwards said: ''That could be it.
''All I know is last year I was one guy and this year I'm a different guy. I have to get back to where I was last year.''
Edwards pulled in a 42-yarder from Quinn along the right sideline to start the Browns' third series, then had a hand in stalling it. On third and 6 from the Houston 15, Quinn put the ball slightly behind Edwards and he dropped it, forcing Cleveland to settle for a 32-yard Phil Dawson field goal.
In the fourth quarter, on second and 20 from the Houston 44, Anderson threaded a beautiful strike for a first down, but Edwards dropped it.
''We worked through some things early in the year and thought he was coming back around. He caught seven in a row last week,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said, referring to the victory at Buffalo. ''We thought maybe he was over the hump, but he reverted back a little today.''
Edwards said he was ''having the training camp of his life'' until receiver Donte' Stallworth jumped on him on Aug. 9 while Edwards was jogging in socks and gashed his right foot.
''Whatever happened after that ankle surgery, I've gone the opposite way and played a game of catch-up,'' Edwards said.
Edwards hears the boos and wants fans to know he's trying.
''I know the fans are upset at me right now. I can't blame 'em,'' he said. ''I want people to know I love this game and I love this team. I don't ever go out there and not give my all. I don't ever drop a ball and not care.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
CLEVELAND: Browns receiver Braylon Edwards didn't want to talk about his inconsistent team and its maddening mistakes. He was more frustrated by his inconsistent play and maddening mistakes.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 08:16 AM, 11/24/2008
I'm going to keep throwing it to him and he's going to keep making plays.''
This statement by Anderson leaves me speechless. It's a recipe for disaster, at best. That's all I got; I'm dumbfounded.
Posted 11:09 AM, 11/24/2008
His Christmas newsletter this year sure was sad!
Seattle, WA
Posted 01:23 PM, 11/24/2008
Picking on a guy when he's down is the lowest thing a human being can do. Edwards is owning up to his performance on the field, and taking responsibility for it. Be mad at Donte friggin' Stallworth. That's the sabatoer who played as big a part in ruining our season as anyone. If he doesn't gash Edwards ankle, Edwards continues having the "training camp of his life", and maybe it all goes different. And make no mistake, in terms of raw talent for his position, Edwards is by a mile the most talented player on the team, and the most talented the Browns have had in who knows how long. If he's as the top of his game, then Anderson is better, Chud calls more downfield plays, that opens up running lanes for Lewis, etc. Then the mere fact the delicate flower hurts himself that severely warming up before the first game allows defenses to swarm Edwards and force the run.
Thanks Donte. Give Cleveland its money back.
Posted 03:19 PM, 11/24/2008
Edwards is making entirely too much money........
Say what you want, but he does not care.
He's getting his money regardless.........
If they trade him, so what ?? He'll get his millions from some other franchise.
They need to let these morons prove themselves before they make the millions............
But of Edwards, what can you expect ??
He came from Michigan !!!! Losers !!!!!
Alliance, OH
Posted 03:21 PM, 11/24/2008
Edwards is owning up to his performance on the field? Are you friggin' kidding me, since when? He stated in this article that he's been inconsistent. DUH! He is so scared of his own shadow it's sad. Everytime he hears anyone approaching him, he messes up (a much stronger word should be in place of "messes", but whoa is me the censors). If anyone in any other job messed up that bad, they would be gone. And in terms of football, they would have (should have) at least been benched. Make these guys set up a players court, police themselves and make these guys cough up $$$ when they screw us out of a win. It's not like they can't afford it!!!
Alliance, OH
Posted 03:23 PM, 11/24/2008
Well, that post was completely clean, but censored for some reason. I guess I will find somewhere else to post comments. These guys running the show here must be in conspiracy with the Chinese government (or Phil Savage). CENSOR THAT!
Green, OH
Posted 03:59 PM, 11/24/2008
Stallworth steps on Edwards' foot and his hands go bad?
That's some interesting physiology at work.
Posted 07:08 PM, 11/24/2008
For every dropped passed, the QB should get a free shots at his privates. Or Dawson kick him there...
Stow, OH
Posted 07:49 AM, 11/25/2008
Too bad the Browns have no one to replace Edwards,he needs to sit a game on the bench on a cold Dec. day and think hard about his focus and behavior on the field. This team has as much depth as they did in their first rebuilding year in 99 ,very little ! How I miss the days of Brian Brennan and Clay Mathews ,players with HEART and brains ,These guys today just have ability but want the fame and fortune anyway,how sad .
Posted 07:51 AM, 11/25/2008
Hey Scott.... Are you serious? Stallworth should be blamed because Edwards can't catch?
Posted 09:26 AM, 11/25/2008
Stallworth should also be issuing a statement about his lack of performance. They should have realized that he is a number 4 receiver at best before this season. He was never open last year with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, now he can't get open with Edwards and Winslow drawing double coverage? Come on.
This doesn't mean that Edwards has not had focus this year, but there is plenty of blame to go around than just on Edwards for the crummy passing game.
Posted 09:27 AM, 11/25/2008
And I didn't think losing Jureviceous would have such a dramatic effect. Emphasises the role of every member of the team, whether you're the star or a role player!
