The Rundown: Mr. Edwards? Let Me Introduce You to Your Broom.
“Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.”
-Goethe
Steve Politi connects with someone who knows Braylon Edwards pretty well, and who voiced his concern on Edwards’ continuing wrap as a guy who drops passes on the reg.
He was not an angry Jets fan, or a frustrated talk-radio host, or even Brian Schottenheimer disguising his voice. This was someone with a much more personal connection to the Jets receiver.
His dad.
“Am I worried about him getting a reputation for dropping the football?” Stan Edwards asked this week from suburban Detroit. “No. Because let’s be honest – he’s earned it.”
As a preamble, no matter what his ability to catch a ball is, as the team is currently constituted, I do believe that this is a better team with Braylon Edwards than without. The offense can do things that teams haven’t feared from the Jets for a long time.
While we’re glad that Edwards feels like he’s put some issues behind him with his no contest plea in Cleveland on Tuesday, and said as much to the press yesterday, he feels like this will help to clear his mind and get the drop issue settled. We’ll see.
“It clears me,” Edwards said. “It would’ve been a distraction if there was a trial. Now it’s over and I can concentrate 100% on football. I’m able to fully step out of Cleveland.”
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Edwards has six drops (the most of any starting receiver in the AFC playoffs). Against the Bengals, Edwards should’ve made a 41-yard touchdown catch, but he dropped the pass in the end zone. He acknowledged that he’s “thinking too much,” and he promised to be mentally right before Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff in San Diego.
“It’s not the player I am,” he said, recalling last week’s drop. “It wouldn’t bother me if I was an average player, but that’s not the kind of guy I am. It bothers me.”
In 13 games with the Jets, he’d had only one 100-yard receiving day, and that came in the Week 15 loss to the Falcons. He attributed the relatively low production to a lack of opportunities.
“It’s hard to (have big games) when you’re getting two passes a game,” he said. “I’m not complaining because we’re winning, but when it calls for them to throw me the ball, Jets fans will get to see that. They’ll get to see that Braylon … when it’s called upon.”
Actually, Edwards was targeted 94 times in the regular season, with 45 receptions … a 47% catch rate. That’s the third-lowest percentage of the wide receivers remaining in the playoffs, according to Elias.
The problem is that he’s been called upon, and we’ve had spotty results. His amazing catches in the Dolphins games along with some of his first down plays this year have shown me his ability is off the charts. Now, we will have no proof that this looming court case will get his mind right until this Sunday should he suddenly go 7/8 in targets to receptions. So color us dubious until then.
First let’s talk about the targets per week. Here’s Sanchez’s targets to Edwards broken down week by week since he was acquired.
Edwards Targets / Catches by Week
Wk 5: 9 / 5
Wk 6: 9 / 3
Wk 7: 2 / 1
Wk 8: 8 / 4
Wk 9: BYE
Wk 10: 5 / 3
Wk 11: 5 / 1
Wk 12: 4 / 3
Wk 13: 6 / 3
Wk 14: 5 / 3
Wk 15: 7 / 5
Wk 16: 5 / 2
Wk 17: 7 / 2
Wildcard: 4 / 2
We all knew that Sanchez was locking on Edwards much more in the early part of the season than he has done since the bye, so I think that’s progress for Sanchez. In some ways, having Edwards as a binkie for Sanchez might have caused some of the regression that we saw, but it wasn’t the only factor. While we consider the lower targets progress, Edwards might not agree.
The truth of the matter is that with a 47% catch rate, and drops like he had in Toronto and last week, only proves why he’s seen the ball less than he did when he first game on board. To whom much is given, much is required. Edwards needs to sweep his own stoop, as Geothe might say.
Sure, the Jets are trying to get the ball to Edwards, and calling plays for him, but until he gets that catch rate up to a respectable figure, the team can’t afford to “waste” plays on him, it only proves to defenses that putting him in man or with little help over the top was the right call. Edwards has never been a guy to catch the ball at an impressive target to reception rate during his career, and I’ll gladly take the good with his bad.
But for him to try and swear off drops and chide the press for asking him about it, like he did earlier this season, is commendable, but he’s not backing it up, so until he does, he’s going to be asked about it, again and again and again.
A guy with a mediocre or worse catch rate is exactly who Edwards has been during his NFL career. To put it lightly, a 47% catch rate for a receiver is not good, especially for a starter. It’s an interesting dichotomy though, some top guys who would be considered top talents (Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams., Antonio Bryant) had terrible years in terms of catch rates right in lockstep with Edwards. For a receiver to have a good year in terms of catch rate, a mid-60s percentage would be a great goal, but for Edwards and what he’s asked to do, that’s an unlikely total. Obviously, those oftentimes are possession style receivers, who get the high percentage passes … still if Edwards was in the mid to high 50s, he’d be an assassin.
To be fair, I do think that you have to factor in who’s throwing the ball. Last year Cotch caught at a 64% rate, while this year he was down at a career low with a 59% rate since becoming a starter. I think that Edwards could have a very strong year in 2010 if he does comes back to the Jets and continues to work with Sanchez.
But Edwards has an issue, and if he wants elite money, then he needs to play like an elite player and that starts with catching the ball when it does come his way. So when it comes to what the team should do in the offseason with him, I do think they need to get a “fair” contract, but it’s clear that they’re going to have to pony up a little more than the team would like to, to keep him.
Braylon Edwards Career Catch Rates
2009 – 47%
2008 – 40%
2007 – 52%
2006 – 49%
2005 – 54%
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJq1hdPk74Y
(video via Toni Monkovic at Fifth Down)
103 Responses to The Rundown: Mr. Edwards? Let Me Introduce You to Your Broom.
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Agree with bassett on this one. Maybe pay him a little more than he deserves, but if he wants top dollar, he has to earn it. If he feels like he can still ride his one great season, then that could be an indication that character issues are far from over. How about an incentive laden contract – you think you’re great, go do it and you will be paid accordingly.
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Lance Mehl says:
I actually expect Edwards to have a big day Sunday .. not sure what I am basing that on but I think he’s still a big play WR who causes match up problems ..
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steviek says:
if my dad came from the stan edwards school of positive reinforcement i might have the yips too.
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brian311 says:
“To be fair, I do think that you have to factor in who’s throwing the ball. Last year Cotch caught at a 64% rate, while this year he was down at a career low with a 59% rate since becoming a starter. I think that Edwards could have a very strong year in 2010 if he does comes back to the Jets and continues to work with Sanchez.”
the key point of the article, to me. he is dealing with an erratic rookie QB who he just met 3 months ago. how many QBs has he caught passes from over his career…4? 5? we have seen what he is capable of. i think that will a full off season, OTAs and training camp, we will see a new player
also, it is a fact that the run game took off after he got here. i seriously doubt we would have the #1 running attack and be playing for a shot at the AFC title game if stuckey was our #2 receiver.
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JesusRevis says:
He has played for a different QB, headcoach, and offensive coordinator every year of his career. Hopefully after a full offseason working with Shotty and Sanchez, he will come back next year more comfortable in the offense and he will be ready to make the impact we have all been expecting. He is still our biggest offensive threat, and he is also out best downfield blocker.
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Nikolas says:
I think his problem is not “his hands” but anticipation. That is why he has more of a problem with the long-ball. QB stability and practice should reduce any problem he has.
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kerry who? says:
I was overwhelmed when the jets got braylon. i thought it was the best thing that happened to our team, and he would surely be a part of our success. But now we are towards the end of the season and we need to reflect. Braylon helped our run game for sure, and had a few big catches in there (Miami, Jax, Atl) To be honest, im not sure if i want braylon back next year. we can see what happens this sunday in San Diego, but the guy has to show up (cromartie will be trying to do his best revis impersonation) i just think we need to re evaluate the market, and possibly take our chances on someone who is willing to show up every game. brandon marshall is worthy of elite money, he has proved it, braylon… not so much
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Electric Ham says:
Braylon has made a lot of good plays for us this year especially in the running game. He opens up the field and hopefully will start coming down with some of those big play catches.
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subwayfare says:
You “sweep” under the rug some relevant information. How do you define, “target?” Using the term, “targeting,” the receiver without taking into consideration how well the ball was thrown or whether it was remotely catchable, decreases the value of those figures.
To be sure, Braylon has dropped balls that were well placed and that he should have caught, but Sanchez, and the passing game in general, have also been erratic and inconsistent. I’ll take the drops from a big time receiver the same way I’ll accept strike outs from a power hitter or off nights from a 3-point shooter. And I suspect Braylon is like a shooter that needs the ball to get in a rhythm and believe him when he says it’s hard to be his best with two balls thrown his way. However, that’s just where Sanchez and the Jets are right now. The best chance for them to win at the moment is to limit throwing the football, but the problem with never throwing the football is that you are going to have a sketchy passing game when you suddenly have to chuck it. That’s just the way it is.
Just looking at Braylon’s 2007, I have no doubt that he’s capable of a monster season. In a perfect world, he’d be signed to a reasonable deal – maybe made more reasonable by the drops this year – and he and Sanchez work on chemistry as the team opens up the passing attack next year.
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Brendan says:
Braylon loves playing here. Loves the team. Loves the fans. He is the best blocking WR not named Hines Ward. He dominates on the edges and enabled the Jets running game to go by opening up the defense. He drops some big passes, but his good outweighs his bad. If he wants to come back (which he says he does) than I want him back with the team. Continue to build a rapport with Sanchez and work on his hands with our WR coach, and I think he can get back to his elite status.
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rasmusbach says:
let’s hope he won’t cause the young Sanchez any sorrows
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AKA Jack says:
Wow, quoting Goethe on the Jets Blog!
Actually, perhaps that’s the key. Braylon needs to make a Faustian bargain. Worked for Joe Boyd.
C’monn Braylon, take one for the team. After all, What is your life if you are no longer useful to others?
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James in NY says:
brandon marshall? he’s not question one of the best talents at WR in the game, but i think one thing we’ve definitely learned this year is that he has character issues. he acted like a little kid sitting out the last game over a mystical hamstring. some people will give the guy the benefit of the doubt bc who knows if he’s really hurting or not. but there has to be some meaning behind it if your HC calls you out.
i don’t think a diva with a character issue is what we need. what if somehow we magically trade for marshall next year, and we get off to a sub par start. will he quit on us? the only reason he stopped being a little b*tch is because the broncos started off 6-0. things went sour for the team and marshall gave up. we don’t need that.
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Joe B. says:
Braylon’s the most frustrating player on the Jets, because he has so much ability that he doesn’t seem to be realizing. With that said, I don’t think there’s any way the Jets let him walk unless he’s asking for way too much, nor should they. As much as he makes you tear your hair out, his talents and impact on this offense go far beyond catches and yards. His ability to keep the safeties honest and block in the running game are so important, any production beyond that seems like a bonus. Obviously I’d like to see his numerical production increase next season, but let’s remember that Sanchez has been far from flawless this season as well. I think it’s a growing process for both QB and WR in this situation, and I’m confident that they’ll both be better in 2010.
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Eddie DiGio says:
Drops and all, I love what this guy brings to the table.
If he ever starts catching the easy ones, he can DOMINATE a game like Moss, or T.O use to
Bring back as long as he doesnt want 10 million a year
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charleyjet says:
I wouldn’t re-sign him unless he gets a hands transplant.
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Bill says:
First off. I’m definitely a fan of Braylon. He’s got speed, height, and the ability to get open. Now he’s just got to get the idea that he’s going to drop the ball out of his head.
But here’s something to look at Stat wise…
Sanchez’s completion percentage is 53.8%
Edwards Catch Rate is 47%
Cotchery is aty 59%What does that mean? To me, it says that Cotchery catches some balls that he shouldn’t catch, and Edwards drops some that he should.
Stat wise, it seems as if Edwards drops about 10% of the balls he should catch, while Cotchery catches about 10% more than he should.
I think we all know that Edwards can catch the ball. Exactly what needs to be done to get him over this hump is the unknown.
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gtjet says:
Edwards has a huge upside. He makes great catches with his hands and arms extended, and at his height that’s a weapon. Keep him and fix the drops which is do-able..confidence is a huge part of it.
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OMG27 says:
True that Edwards isn’t on the receiving end of Peyton Manning style laser beams, but it’s not the quick, up the middle rifles anyone’s complaining about. It’s the wide-open, down field lobs that he has to catch. I don’t care if the ball is being thrown by Browning Nagle, if you can touch it you can catch it. Every big drop has happened because of what’s going on in Bralyon’s head, not because of who’s throwing it, or how comfortable he is with the rout he just started.
It’s time for him to relax. -
OMG
Good point.
He WHIFFED on that ball in Cinn. It never even touched his hands, he just tried to body catch it, like Johnny Reefer said yesterday
Then on the throwout that Sanchez almost threw away, the guy catches the ball 4 feet behind him and plucks it right out of the air to save a possible INTLike OMG, he just has to…RELAX
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The all pro team was released. Congratulation to Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold. Both very well deserving. Still trying to find where David Harris is…
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Bent says: Expert – Nice idea, but the Jets tend to shy away from incentive laden contracts other than for rookies. They might make an exception here though, who knows.
Edwards was the 3rd pick in the draft and is certainly not a bust. Had he been drafted by the Jets, would we still be talking about getting rid of him? We’re lucky to have a player that is so talented and won’t find an upgrade easily.
Brandon Marshall had similar target numbers last year and raised his game to 65%, significantly higher than Braylon. However, he was catching shorter passes a lot of the time, as evidenced by Braylon’s average yards per catch being 2 yards more (13.1 / 11.1) and his yards per target being only one yard less (6.1 / 7.2). He’s not a bad weapon, based on this.
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jco89 says:
JesusRevis
David Harris was named to the second team all pro which is good to at least know he is getting SOME recognition which will help him get more attention in the future beceause he is a straight up BEAAAST everyone is always talking about Clay Matthews but he doesnt have anywhere nearrr the impact that Harris has on the game
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Devito to start says:
I can’t stand the way he holds the ball after he makes an occaisional catch!!
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Tomsect201 says:
great comment steviek!
As opposed to QB’s, I do not believe having the drops can be fixed through having system consistency as some seem to be pointing to. If we want Braylon here (which I do), I think this is something we are all going to have to live with. A receiver with his skills has to be accounted for by the defense – just because he has a tendency to drop the ball doesn’t change his ability to get open – which impacts the other 50-60 plays per game where he isn’t the target.
As far as paying the man, I think a central requirement of being paid as a top 5 receiver is to, you know, catch the ball. I still believe WR is a definite need in the draft. WR’s tend to take 1-2 seasons to develop (similar to QB). assuming the Jets can hold onto Braylon next season without a major contract, WR should be top priority in the draft with OL and an edge pass rusher.
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Tom,
I disagree. I think edge rusher is our top priority. After that it’s up for debate. We need a guy who can beat a man 1 on 1 off the line without having to all-out blitz or overload blitz.
We need to address this for next year whether it’s through the draft or through FA.
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droseatwork says:
remember we cannot sing FA’s unless we lose FA’s this year because of our position in the final 8. This will definiltey have an impact on Edwards’s status
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Shamik says:
He has no ground to demand an exorbitant contract. Fix the drops and then you’ll get paid. I just don’t understand why they don’t spend an hour every couple days: Revis, Edwards, and Sanchez just chucking up long passes. Can’t hurt right? I just don’t want to go down in SD leaving a TD on the field because it went right through Brainfart’s arms.
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I still think he needs contacts instead of a new contract. Any ball he reaches for with his hands he catches. Anything that gets close to his body and uses his hands to trap he loses.
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James – you are correct on edge pass rusher. I didn’t word it correctly. I think those are three “need” areas. #1 is someone who actually sacks the QB. The group now is functioning extremely well but pressure without sacks can be overcome by a good offense (which makes me nervous for this weekend).
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Ken says:
Lets all pray Edwards’s hands are in great shape this weekend!
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Bent
How does that work again with the whole you cant sign FA’s if your in the final 8 unless you lose FA’s?
Is it however many guys you lose to free agency you can sign?
There has to be at least 2 or 3 guys who are FA’s that we wont bring back right?
You are my go-to-guy when it comes to this stuff so please if you get a minute, give me the dizzle
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Dylan says:
I would resign Braylon as long as he doesn’t ask for too big a contract. He is not an elite receiver and therefore should not be paid like one. Marshall is going to make around 11 or 12 mil per season. I think Braylon should be making around 7 mil tops. He has a lot of potential, but he needs to start making plays consistently.
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Eddie DiGio,
I’m pretty sure you can resign any player. That just counts towards signing new free agents. So basically we can’t sign any big free agents this year, unless we lose Braylon. If you lose a player and choose to sign another free agents, those contracts need to pretty much match. So basically we couldn’t let Brad Smith walk and sign Vince Wilfork instead. -
With respect to the pass rushing
We just need another guy who can do what Calvin Pace does
He had 8 or 9 sacks this year in 12 games. Thats not too shabby. He would have had 3 sacks last Sat if he would have taken some better angles, the guy can get pressure.
Thats why if Adalius Thomas’ run in New England is over, which from everything Ive read it appears to be, the Jets should sign him even if it is the only FA they can sign. The guy was born in Rex’s system and can be the perfect guy opposite Calvin Pace
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Thanks Dylan,
Well there goes the Adalius Thomas signing
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Eddie DiGio,
No problem. Yeah I’m not sure the AT signing would work. It might though cause I don’t think he will cost very much. He is 32 and is coming off a very unproductive season, so we might be able to get him for a bargain. -
This rule is bull s***. The NFL is basically penalizing teams for making it to the playoffs.
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EssentialEducator says:
Subway,
Although the quarterback’s accuracy does impact a receiver’s catch percentage, Sanchez has not been bad enough where a good QB would give him a 10-20% swing his catch percentage. At most, it may have cost him an extra 5%. No matter the QB, high catch percentage WR’s will generally still have a higher than average catch percentage.
The drops are obviously a problem, but if the Jets continue to focus on that, they are misreading Edward’s value. Work on his catch problem, but accept what he is and use him accordingly. Although he has top 10 potential, they shouldn’t look at him as that.
It’s like a pitcher who throws 99 mph, but has poor control. You wouldn’t make him your ace, but you would find a smaller role where the player has a higher potential of being successful. Expecting Edwards to be your number one is unfair to him since he is not consistent enough for that position. Accept him as a strong 2 or 3 WR, and hope he decreases his drops.
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Dylan
Yea thats right, he didnt have a great year this year and is in Belichick’s doghouse, so his price tag wont be that high
I think he would be better and rejuvenated here because he knows the defense so well.
Here is why its a bad rule for the players, it limits your market value because if a team like the Jets, who are one more pass rusher away from being a dominant defense, are willing to pony up, you take them out of the equation and have to go to a team that maybe doesnt have the pressing need that the Jets have, making the offers less lucrative.
Its a good rule for parody, but I think every team regardless of standings should be able to have one FA signing kind of the like the veteran exception in the NBA
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Bent says:
Dylan / Eddie – these restrictions only apply to unrestricted free agents. Most young guys are restricted. It does not apply if a guy has been released, which is where the Jets would be able to pick him up. Of course the Pats may flip him for a pick to keep him away from the jets. He is actually under contract for a few more years, but his time there seems up.
This final 8 thing is the biggest non-story and most misunderstood issue of the season so far. It isn’t likely to affect the jets plans.
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Bent,
How is it unlikely to affect their plans? The way I understand it, it seems the Jets wont be allowed to pursue any major free agents.
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Jesus Revis
Hell yea man.
I could understand if you made the Super Bowl, but teams that make the elite 8 are usually only a player or two away from being championship caliber, which is exactly where the Jets stand.
Horrible rule, hurts the players pockets, hurts the teams that work hard to make the playoffs. No wonder they want a new CBA…thanks Gene Upshaw
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Eddie,
I just dont understand the benefits of this rule
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Bent,
There are much fewer UFAs in an uncapped year, right? So basically most of the guys who were going to become UFAs, will become RFAs instead. That basically means there won’t be too many big names switching teams, unless its via trade. -
JesusRevis,
I’m pretty sure Bent means it wont really give them a big disadvantage because there won’t be many UFAs anyway. -
Also Jesus Revis
I do feel better knowing that if there is ANY way that Tannebaum can find a loop hole to get a player the Jets really wanted, you KNOW he would find a way to finesse it and get the guy he wants,
thats why I love the guy and he is the best wheeler and dealer in the NFL
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Dylan,
But if there is 1 UFA that they really want, they wont be able to get him. And we all know how aggressive Tannenbaum likes to be.
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Bent, Dylan or anyone
what about guys like Adalius Thomas, who get cut? Whats the deal with signing guys like that?
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If they are cut, they are fair game
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Bent
I apologize I didnt see your comment, sorry I had to bother you twice!!!
thanks ,you are the man with this stuff
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Eddie DiGio,
Read Bent’s comment above. He said that players who are cut can still be picked up, so it wouldn’t be affected by the rule. -
Oh Ok, then there are always cap casualties
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Thank Dylan, I saw em, this is moving too fast, I am a mess right now lol
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JEFFDOLFINI says:
Sign Braylon to a 5 year 30 million dollar contract, if he wants more then we can just make him a restricted free agent and get a first round pick for him if we lose him.
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What was really important going into next season was that the Jets were going to be able to keep their players. The uncapped year will just make it easier to keep guys like Leon and Braylon. If they can add a few more parts, thats great, but I think they are pretty set for next year.
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Correction, not make him, but he will be a restricted free agent.
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JEFFDOLFINI,
Yeah thats about how much I would give him. Maybe 35 mil tops. -
Bent says:
Yep, guys who are cut are fair game. Most young free agents will be restricted, so they don’t factor into the rules. However, there’s more to it than just that:
Eddie – you asked about the NBA-style exceptions – as I understand it they do exist…Every final 8 team can sign one free agent with a first year cap charge of $5m (and Sanchez had a first year cap charge of less than $3m, so that would enable them to sign pretty much anyone in the league) and as many free agents with a first year cap charge of $3.3m as they want. There are more restrictions for final four teams, but let’s worry about that if it happens.
JR – You said why won’t it affect their plans? The reason I said that is because (regardless of them being a top 8 team), I believe that their focus is going to be to use the uncapped year to retain players as cost effectively at possible, including in some case to retain their vets. Of course, if there is a cap, then you’re limited in terms of who you can sign by the constraints of the cap. For the record, I agree with this approach.
Note that getting rid of Braylon doesn’t enable them to acquire an equivalent free agent because he isn’t an unrestricted free agent.
As for the benefits of the rule, they aren’t as constricting as some (including Lombardi, quelle surprise) have misreported. The reason they are there is so that one of the top four teams does not go on an enormous spending spree and “buy” a title. I’m sure nobody wants to see that. Nor would I advise it, because if the cap comes back, it’s a very near sighted move.
I hope that clears a few things up.
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Bent,
Youre the best
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Bent,
Thanks for clearing up our mess lol. -
Bent says:
Jeff – You were right first time. They make him an RFA by placing the tender on him. That would be the smart move if he doesn’t sign for a reasonable price, I agree.
Note to all: Cotchery’s deal was only 5 years 19m. Does Braylon command 5/30 or could they actually justify giving him something similar?
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Bent- thats why you are the go-to-guy
5 years 35 million is absolutely fair.
If BrayBray wants more than that, let him walk and get a draft pick
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Bent says:
Thanks…just don’t expect too much of a big spending spree, even though you now know that doing a little bit of shopping around is plausible (especially with PSL’s to sell).
If the Pats dump Thomas, which hopefully they will, the Jets should pounce immediately and hopefully they will. This time, it should be Bart Scott AND his dogs on AT’s doorstep (depending on when – and if – he hits the market, of course).
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Eddie DiGio & Bent,
I agree with you both on Braylon and his contract. I still don’t get why the Browns would give him away for so little, when they could have held out and probably received a first round pick. They waited until his value was at an all time low before trading him. It doesn’t really make any sense. -
Cotchery’s contract was a steal for us. I dont expect to get Braylon for the same price.
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Bent says:
Below are the official rules. As you can see, if the Jets win this week end, signing a big money free agent is going to be tough, but the Jets still have plenty of other options, including RFA’s, trades, and castoffs (which there will be a lot of because some teams will be looking to shed salary, because the uncapped year is also an unfloored year).
So, beating the Chargers will hurt their ability to spend (although I fail to see what unrestricted big money free agents are out there that they might be interested in anyway, other than maybe Peppers). If they do win on Sunday, it will be a nice problem to have. I’d rather be in the AFC title game with a slight restriction to my offseason plans than sitting home with the ability to sign a big name and the temptation to use that to get a big name that isn’t really a good fit and kills the cap for future years.
Under Article XXI, Section 3 of the CBA, the Cowboys, Cardinals, Vikings, Saints, Jets, Ravens, Chargers, and Colts will be limited in their ability to sign unrestricted free agents in 2010.
First, the Final Eight teams may sign any unrestricted free agent who obtained that status by being released and clearing waivers.
Second, the Final Eight teams may sign any unrestricted free agent who was under contract with that team at the conclusion of the 2009 league year.
Third, one unrestricted free agent may be signed for each unrestricted free agent that a Final Eight team loses, but only at the same first-year salary the departed player receives elsewhere, with limitations on future growth of the deal.
Fourth, the Final Eight teams may sign one unrestricted free agent at a first-year salary of $4.925 million (plus the annual percentage increases in total football revenue since 2006), and an unlimited number unrestricted free agents at a first-year salary of $3.275 million (plus the percentage increases of total football revenue since 2006), with limitations on future growth of the deal.
The teams that win this weekend will be further limited, with the fourth option explained above disappearing.
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I’d say Braylon could get more than what Cotch got, simply by virtue of him being a (potential and sometimes actual) gamechanger. Also, every year the deals that happened already get old and players want more. I’d guess between 25-30 mil.
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Bent says:
Dylan – Hank will tell you that they got a steal. Nine players for Braylon and Sanchez! So there you go. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Where are you, Hank?
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So basically even if AT was an UFA they could sign him. Because he wont be making more than a base of 4.925 mil.
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Bent says:
You guys are all on the same page as me re: Cotchery’s contract compared to Braylon’s potential contract. Cotch IS a bargain and Braylon IS a potential game changer. (I doubt Cotch will ever approach Braylon’s 2007 numbers and while he is great, his skillset is easier to replace than Braylon).
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Bent,
LOL I forgot that Stuck and Trusnik are future all-pros and are equivalent to 1st rounders. -
Bent says:
Even if he was earning more than that, the contract would escalate anyway, so a player could easily have something like 40m over 5 years with a cap hit that low in the first year.
Since he isn’t a UFA, there is no restriction, so the Jets could give him 10m if they wanted to (!) If Thomas is released, the Jets should pick him up off waivers, provided everyone ahead of them doesn’t beat them to the punch.
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Hahahaha Bent- dont worry if the Jets lose in San Diego this weekend Hank will be here to tell us that Rex should be fired, Sanchez is a scared little boy and that Mangini would have won the game if he was still here…guy creates a mess and just leaves when he has to be accountable to for it.
I think A Thomas will be let go because he was more of a guy they brought in for that 18-1 run to the Super Bowl. That defense needs drastic change now after Seymour, who we now know was the catalyst for that defense, was traded. They have so many needs in different spots, that holding on to a 32 year old guy who was at odds with Emperor Belichick all season, is just not the Patriot way. Its BB’s way, or the highway
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correction
*I think A Thomas will be let go because he was more of a guy they brought in OFF** that 18-1 run to the Super Bowl
pretty sure that AT was in Baltimore two years ago
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Sorry guys
I had it right the first time… I am a mess today LOL
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Our best bet is to bring Braylon back, we’re not going to find a replacement (remember has to be equal value) on the open market with his skills. B. Marshall is going to earn a truckload of cash that we won’t be able to compete with under the current FA rules. Bring Braylon back, and continue Sanchez’s growth with a fully loaded offense.
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Brendan
I agree that he should be brought back
Give Braylon all the incentives in the world or give him an option to renegotiate after two years if he becomes the guy that we all know he can be
We’ve havent had a guy like him in a decade or at least when Keyshawn could still run, we cant just give em up after 3/4′s of a season in which the guy throwing the ball to him was more inconsistent than he was.
I said before, if Braylon caught the easy ones, he would dominate games, the guy has that type of ability
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LmoLewis says:
Insightful article. Interestingly, I always questioned Cleveland’s offensive game plan when all they did was run Edwards to the post or fly pattern on a qb roll out. The guy is talented enough to catch 6 or 7 catches a game like a Colsten but Edwards targets are mostly all downfield. No excuses. The guy cannot consistently catch a ball. However, if he was integrated on the slant routes and screens a little more, I believe his concentration level would be a little more focused and he would be into the flow of the game. Cotchery is that guy on the Jets. But if you premise much of the Jets offesnive game plan on misdirection, wouldn’t it be shocking to see Edwards have a huge game by catching some short and medium passes and taking them down the field with some yac?
Can’t believe at this point he’s worth the money that the top 5 WR’s are getting. But a couple of playoff games with game changers can change everything.
Big time WR’s pop up all the time without teams having to spend huge FA money. Look at Miles Austin or Sidney Rice as examples this year. With the Jets trading so many picks for trading up often lately, it’s hard to lock up all this money in Edwards.
But let’s hope one big game in San Diego sways the decision making process.
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And I almost forgot that the best part of the article was the insightful Goethe quote…
“Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.”
-GoetheHere is another from Goethe that I hope the Jets can seize on…”Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
I believe in Rex.
LET”S WIN IT!!!
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Bent says:
Brendan – I agree with your comment, but I think you may be misinterpreting the rules slightly. See the conversation above between Dylan, JR, eddie and myself.
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LMO Lewis
I think you made a lot of good points about the different types of routes he runs and how Cleveland didnt use help be successfulHowever, maybe for other teams they pop up, but not for the Jets. Like I said before, we havent had someone in Braylon’s mold since Keyshawn was still fast in 98. If Im correct, it took 12 years to get a big fast physical WR who can stretch the field.
He is not going to get the money Marshall gets, even though Marshall is a baby but a tremendously productive player. Braylon does whatever the team asks him to do, without complaining.
His value is as low as its ever been right now, but his upside is tremendous. Just letting him walk would set Sanchez back, and take away the type of player that this team has been searching for years for
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alex morizio says:
EDWARDS IS A MUST.
STRETCHES THE FIELD
GREAT RUN BLOCKER
STILL MAKES GREAT CATCHES IN TRAFFICLIVE WITH THE DROPS.
HE’S GONNA COME UP BIG THIS WEEK
THE 3RD DOWN CATCH BEFORE THE JONES RUNNING TD LAST WEEK WAS HUGH.
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SackDance99 says:
Bent,
My understanding is that there are 4 potential RFA tenders: 1st & 3rd round, 1st round, 2nd round and round in which player drafted. What I don’t understand is whether the teams can use as many of these tenders that they want. For instance, can Denver put the 1st and 3rd round tenders on both Marshall and Dumervil or will Denver have to choose which one to give the 1st and 3rd round tender and 1st round tender (I’m assuming that a second or round drafted tender would be useless for players of this quality)? Also, if an RFA is not tendered, he becomes a UFA, right? If each team can only use 4 RFA tags, won’t some teams with a bevy of potential RFAs have to let some go as UFAs? I’ll say this much, if Dumervil just gets a 1st round tender, the Jets shouldn’t waste too much time before signing him to a contract with a nice fat poison pill. And, if Marshall is just tendered a 1st rounder, get ready for a Moss/Marshall/Welker receiving corps in New England.
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I still say the Broncos would be crazy/dumb to not hold on to Dumerville.
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Bent says:
Sack – I don’t think it works that way. You don’t only get to use each tender once. (Example – Cowboys last year had 4 guys with second round tenders, including Miles Austin).
Even if it did work that way, you’ve also got the option of a tag and trade, so only each team’s 6th best RFA would be exposed, hardly a bumper haul.
Note that there is a fifth level of tender, with no compensation attached and at the same level of salary as the lowest level of compensation (round you were drafted in). Abe Elam got this (although he was undrafted anyway). You still get right of first refusal.
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WOJF says:
Forget Edwards if he does not come to his senses, REX should be at Randy Moss’ door the minute free agency opens, one year deal, win us a Super Bowl pitch.
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Bent,
So, I’m confused. There’s 4 different types of tenders. That means a team can use the highest tender (1st and 3rd round) as many times as they like? Or, is it that a team can use certain tenders, like the second round tender, as much as they like? Or, does it mean that each team has 4 tenders and they can use any of the 4 different tenders a maximium of 4 times? And, it sounds like you’re saying that a team can use the franchise tag, too, for RFAs, but I thought that the franchise tag was only for UFAs. IMO, the only RFA tags that have any bite are the 1st and third rounder, the first rounder and the round of the player, but only if the player is a first rounder. In my Marshall/Dumervil example, do you think that they can both be 1st and 3rd round tendered? My point is that with studs like Marshall and Dumervil, just the first round tag is not much of a disincentive for a team like the Jets. Who wouldn’t trade the 20th pick in the draft for either guy?
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Bent says:
As far as I can make out, there are no restrictions on how many times you use each level of tender, they just set the parameters you choose from.
Dumervil could theoretically get the top level tender too, but ultimately the aim will probably be to retain him long term. The franchise tag is available if you don’t tender someone, but of course you have to pay them so much more (with 2 first rounders as the potential compensation).
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Ryan says:
Don’t pin this guys drops on Sanchez being a rookie or the systems he played in with Cleveland. Why does it matter that he saw 5 different QBs in Cleveland? They weren’t all throwing to him at the same time. Don’t make excuses for this guy. 47% is not a fluke.
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Bent says:
Wise – why? He isn’t a free agent!
Screw him anyway. He hasn’t won a superbowl so far and hopefully never will. Can’t see him pushing the jets over the hump.
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Man everybody sounds exactly like browns fans when they too had Mr edwards !! Lets just hope braylon can take the pressure of the NY media cause he thought clevelands media was bad .
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Oh and braylon is going NOWHERE a 3rd and 5th in this years draft and stuckey and an emerging trusnick theres no way he gets out of town ! it actually could get ugly . hes worth a solid 4.5 a year he thanks 10 ! sorry buddy but you are a jet fo life !
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Bent says:
The total value of what they gave up is approximately a second rounder (according to the draft value chart) and they’ll get at least that if he signs an RFA tender and joins another team, so I don’t think what they gave up is a factor.
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true in theory but no team is gona try to sighn this guy to a big money tender and give up the high pick which is why hes going nowhere . i would say the jets have the upper hand on edwards and he,s gonna have to take what they offer .
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Bent says:
Hopefully. I think the right move is to retain him, so hopefully they can do so without shelling out too much money.
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Ravenhater says:
Braylon is what you all have seen since we traded him to you. His one good season, ’07, he still dropped a ton of passes as his rec rate was 52%. He makes quarterbacks look bad. He does make a play every now and again. On weak side run plays…watch him. He’s lazy. His attitude is contrite today but not for long. For soemoen who wanted out of here so long….he sure can’t saeem to shut his pie hole over it. He blamed Cleveland for his problems but had he played the way he should have, we could have been more successful. He still blames something else instead of himself, for his mistakes in life or play. The guy has talent but nothing between the ears. He expects special treatment in all regards. Good riddance. Jets fans…..you’re gonna end up being burned by him too. What a spoiled baby.
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how many penalties did he have with you guys?
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Dirty#6 says:
You do realize that the Jets aren’t going to resign him next year, don’t you?
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Um, yes they are.
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They almost are obligated to sighn him ! Imagine the media storm in NY if the guy got loose and went to Miami ? or worse new england ? trust me they don,t want any division rivals going near the guy . welker,moss , braylon as a third with no pressure . the guy might light it up . All I got to say is they have to sighn him thats all .
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Tom says:
Okay I”m a Browns fan but I didn’t come here to bash Braylon. All Braylon did was bash Cleveland fans for being upset that he drops balls. This is what you’re going to get from Braylon he will make a great catch but at the same time he is going to drop a sure thing. He is going to turn on the Jets and their fans in a year or two you can hear it when he says he isn’t getting opportunities. When they give him a big contact and he still isn’t getting the ball thrown his way and he’s still dropping passes and the fans go against him then he will turn on you and it will be your fault for his bad play. Braylon has the potential to be a great WR but he will never make it to that level because he doesn’t have the focus or he just thinks to highly of himself already and needs brought down to reality.
Edwards is the only receiver we have who gets continuous separation. I can deal with some drops as long as he makes plays in the process. If him and Sanchez get some rhythm going into next year, look out.