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Browns third-year wide receiver says he wants to lead by example this season
By George M. Thomas Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, Jul 30, 2007
BEREA: Meet the new Braylon Edwards.
That's what the Browns' top draft choice of two years ago hopes that fans and his teammates will see after a sophomore season marred by some questionable behavior and inconsistent play.
Last season, folks talked more than anything else about Edwards' tardiness to meetings, an ill-advised trip by helicopter to Columbus for the Ohio State-Michigan game and a sideline fracas with Charlie Frye tailor-made for postgame highlight shows across the country.
Topping it all off, his play on the field proved to be inconsistent. He was plagued by dropped balls, even though he had 61 receptions for 884 yards (14.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns as a wide receiver.
He returns to the Browns this year seemingly singing a different tune and ready to step up his game to assume a leadership role on the team.
‘‘We've (veterans on the team) had conversations and talked, and the main thing I want to do is lead by example,‘‘ Edwards said after Sunday's afternoon practice at the team's training camp. ‘‘You've got guys like (Joe) Jurvicius with 10 years in the league, Jamal Lewis, (Eric) Steinbach and Ryan Tucker. You have guys who have done it for a while and they can do all the talking. My main goal this year is just to play to do everything I'm supposed to do with myself and, hopefully, that will be leading by example.‘‘
One person who would love that to be the case is Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who dealt with more than his share of questions related to Edwards and his behavior last season.
‘‘Hopefully, he doesn't talk quite as much and concentrates on football more,‘‘ Crennel said only half jokingly. ‘‘And I think that's what he's trying to do; he's trying to concentrate on being the best football player he can be.‘‘
In Crennel's eyes, Edwards took the right step off the field by getting more involved in the community during the offseason when he established a scholarship program with $1 million to help inner-city students through college.
‘‘I think it will better benefit him down the road, not only on the football field but off the football field,‘‘ Crennel said.
Off the field is noble, but what most Browns fans will care about is whether the No. 3 selection of the 2005 draft is ready to show the promise they'd seen flashes of in an injury-shortened rookie season and a controversy-filled sophomore season.
He's returned with a positive attitude and seems to have learned valuable lessons, including not to bash his quarterbacks.
When asked about the battle for the starting quarterback job between Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye, Edwards chose his words carefully and said that whoever is behind center on Sept. 9 is the leader. He also likes what he sees of the offense thus far.
‘‘There's a lot of mismatches that we're creating now. We're not just playing off coverages,‘‘ he said. ‘‘We're moving guys around and doing some different things. Nobody is ever stationary on offense.‘‘
If Edwards is able to pair his new attitude with the new offensive scheme, it could be a special year for him.
As for last year, he's letting all of that go by the wayside.
‘‘People don't know you, bottom line,‘‘ Edwards said. ‘‘People only have the perception of what they hear, what everybody else portrays. It bothers you because you know who you really are, but at the end of the day you can't control what anybody thinks, what anybody feels. All you can do is control what you do, what you say, what you think and how you play. Taking that into consideration, I guess I have matured from that standpoint and not worrying about what everyone else says, just being my own guy.‘‘
Brownies
Browns fans can forget about Brady Quinn for now. His contract situation ensures that he will be well behind when he finally gets to camp. Even with him being there, the battle between Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye will likely go down to the third preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Both quarterbacks helped the offense move well in yesterday's lone workout. . . . For those who think running back Jamal Lewis, who has averaged fewer than four yards per carry the past two seasons, might be used up, think again. He showed bursts of speed to the outside on several occasions and caught the ball wel.l . . . If Kellen Winslow is hurting in any way, it's not showing in camp. The Browns tight end snagged everything thrown his way Sunday.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/.
BEREA: Meet the new Braylon Edwards.
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