DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Edwards Prepping for '07.... Article from main site....

Humbler Edwards prepping for ‘07
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
07.29.2007
In 2007, wide receiver Braylon Edwards no doubt plans to be a better player than he was a year ago. But also on his list of improvements is to be a better person and teammate.

Speaking to the media for the first time during '07 Training Camp Sunday, Edwards said he has a new focus for the upcoming season involving less face time and more production on the field.

He said he'll leave the talking to the veterans.

"You have guys like Joe Jurevicius who has 10 years in the league," Edwards said. "You have Jamal Lewis at eight, (Eric) Steinbach, and (Ryan) Tucker. You have guys who have done it for awhile and have had success. They can do all the talking.

"My main goal this year is just to play and do everything I'm supposed to do with myself and hopefully that'll lead to leading by example."

Edwards spent a good portion of the offseason partaking in community work around the Cleveland area, including announcing his $1 million Advance 100 scholarship program in association with the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Head Coach Romeo Crennel said changes in a player on the field and off from a personality standpoint usually boil down to increased maturity.

"As guys grow and mature, they get a different light on things and hopefully (Edwards') light is changing," the coach said. "Hopefully football will be the priority and off the field he'll be a responsible person as well."

Edwards seems to be doing all right so far.

His interview with the media Sunday was informative and harmless. When asked to compare Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, who are embroiled in an intense quarterback battle, Edwards simply replied with the diplomatic, "They're both good quarterbacks. They both have plusses and minuses and come opening day whoever is in there will be the guy I'll play with."

If Edwards has a chance to improve further as a person in '07, he likely has an even better opportunity to improve as a player. Nearly a year ago, he entered the regular season nine months off ACL surgery.

Typical consensus is that it takes an extra year for a player to regain their full speed and agility.

Despite this, Edwards still managed a team-best 884 yards on 61 receptions in '06. One would think his physical improvement from a year ago would raise his ceiling even higher as to what he can accomplish in '07.

"I believe I have some movement now that I wasn't necessarily able to do 100 percent last year," he said. "I believe my stride length has increased and I believe I'll be a better player than I was last year.

"I'm feeling good and I'm thinking this is going to be a better year not only for myself but for the team as well."

Back on the field, Edwards is one of a few dozen offensive players in the process of learning a new offensive system under coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Edwards describes the club's new offense as one that creates mismatches by moving players around the field. He said learning the system hasn't been easy, but it simply takes more time and work with teammates.

"Any offense you learn is hard but this offense is a bit more complicated," Edwards said. "So you have to pay more attention in terms of watching film and going over things with (the quarterbacks) and talking to the coaches to make sure we're on the same page."

Hard work has never been Edwards' problem. That's why he's convinced he'll be able to succeed in the team's new system, provided he continues to study and learn from coaches and teammates.

Where he'll be asked to change most during '07 is off the field. And he may already have a lengthy head start.

He was asked how he has changed the most during the past year.

"Just knowing how to talk to people and how to carry myself," he said. "I'm an emotional player and I love football, so sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me.

"Sometimes you have to suppress what you really feel and just be quiet and that's one thing I've definitely worked on and learned. I've learned to have the same passion and energy for the game but just keep it to myself."

I know everyone has an opinion on Edwards, good, bad, or indifferent. I hope he can improve on last year, and let his play do the talking. If he does, the team will benefit on the field and in the locker room.

Hopefully with this new found maturity he can learn to catch the ball all the time. He's had mental lapses in the past that's cost him a couple of very easy catches.

Regardless of that though, if he has learned his lesson and is ready to come be a positive, mature member of this team he has the talent to be a top 5 receiver in this league.

I agree, he had some major mental lapses.

I bet if he keeps his mouth shut, many more things will open up for him on the field.

I respect him tremendously for what he has done off the field in philanthropic work, now he just has to shut his mouth and play.

Just the sheer fact that he should be even better another year removed from surgery is hope that he can improve significantly!!!

We've had Braylon 2 years and don't have much to show for it...so... yeah. he better produce this year or I say he's a bust.

I like what I'm hearing.

Food for thought: People say we haven't seen much of him over 2 years time. Remember these factors...

-He took the "Romeo Rookie Bootcamp" treatment due to his holdout, still produced pretty well.
-In '05 he was starting to heat up before tearing his ACL.
-In '06 it's possible that some of the drops were because of the knee, it's just natural instinct to favor a spot on the body that was once wounded.
-The horrific QB and OL situation last year.

No doubt in my mind if Braylon were on a good O all this talk would be a non-issue right now, especially if he didn't tear his ACL. I worry about people possibly grilling him this year for reasons beyond his control (bad QB/rookie QB), especially if he really does keep his opinions to himself.

Brownsjk24,

Braylon has over 800 yards last year... and if he doesnt produce he's a bust? are u serious??

Braylon is no bust... wouldn't trade him for anything...

Quote:

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He said he'll leave the talking to the veterans.

"You have guys like Joe Jurevicius who has 10 years in the league," Edwards said. "You have Jamal Lewis at eight, (Eric) Steinbach, and (Ryan) Tucker. You have guys who have done it for awhile and have had success. They can do all the talking.

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That shows me some maturing taking place... good,,

i wonder if a few loses would change that "silence" though...

Hopefully we won't have to find out.
Sounds good so far though.
It'd be nice to have him be a big play threat in the red zone.
With Braylon, it's not so much how MANY he catches, but WHERE and WHEN he catches them.

I think when speaking red zone, the Browns have all the tangibles they need to score more TD's than FG's....

1) an Offensive Line
2) a Bruising Back in Jamal Lewis
3) a TE that you have to watch at all times in Winslow
4) two WR's that have nice height to take advantage of those toss ups to the back corner of the endzone...
5) a QB with good speed that can get the score with his legs if necessary.

OMG.. just think about that for a minute.. this offense is going to be a lot different this year in the redzone..

Where's all the folks to say "STFU Edwards, prove it on the field." ?

at least one has already posted... they're around.

All I can say is that hopefully the maturity is real and not just lipservice.

"I'm the most humble man you've ever met; just ask me and I'll tell you."

That goes without saying, FF.

I'm one of the "STFU Braybaby, prove it on the field" people, and I posted the article. I hope he's matured enough to let his play speak for him. It has already been mentioned that people wonder what will happen with his new found maturity, if the losses start to pile up....

Last year was last year. It's time to learn from it and move on. Training camp is a time to be positive.... After all, the Browns are undefeated right now....

Quote:

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i wonder if a few loses would change that "silence" though...

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If it's real maturity,, no, I don't think it will change that silence,,,, but if he's just playing to the crowd of reporters, then you bet he'll blow up,,,

Isn't it always like that... I mean when nothings as stake, then it's easy so show mental toughness,,, but when everything is on the line and times are tough,,, it's way different..

I guess we will see if it's real or not

and if he follows through, I'll like it too,,

Perhaps I'm being too hard on Edwards,,, I mean, My attitude comes from an inability to understand how these guys become instant millionaires and then get stupid... The only thing I can think of is that they were/are football smart, but life stupid to begin with.. The millions they receive just bring it to the surface so we all can see it.

Not that Edwards did anything close to what Vick is accused of or anything, but it's the same attitude that concerns me..... Kinda like, I'm a millionaire, look at me, I can do anything I want and get away with it because I'm a millionaire and I'm a sports star..

Sorry, I don't buy into it.

But like I said, if he follows the path he's laid out,,, I'm all for the kid,,, I hope to hell he makes it.

STFU Braylon...

I'm sick of you jumping for every single ball that is thrown in your direction, I truely believe you can't catch a ball in stride without a hop or a jump, Your specialty is dropping the easy pass or defelcting them into the other teams hands. (even though the NFL doesn't credit you with them) I'm sick of you running poor routes, or even worse,,, not running the right route, false start penalties, your big mouth and your immature comments. You are a rich man's Quincy Morgan... same big mouth with the same bad hands. You are not above the team so learn how to be a team player. If Winslow can change I expect you too as well. Stop hanging out with T.O. show up to practice, and find some real role models.

Much love
~SBD

Wow. Bad day?

If the guy didn't know he had issues that needed to be dealt with, you wouldn't be reading articles interviewing him about said issues.

Sounds like he's owning up to them and trying to do the right thing.

I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt until he doesn't deserve it anymore.

After all, he is a Brown.

someone woke up with a Steeler fan in their bed...

yeah... i'm trying to quit smoking... you said you hadn't seen all the stfu fans so I figured I could go to town for ya lol

I would never...

some folks are born without sarcasm detectors...all the more fun for the rest of us...

Edwards = Gerard Warren until he starts showing something. Like Warren, it seems like there is a lot of talk and not a lot of backing it up