Braylon Edwards left Cleveland and the Browns surrounded by controversy. It looks like he is trying to ride a similar wave for his return.
A solid season has allowed Edwards to spout off on his teammates and an faltering offense. Now his antics are fully focused on his return to Cleveland. He still remembers the day he was told about his trade to New York. It came hours after his fight with one of LeBron James’ friends.
"I go in there and [Browns head coach Eric Mangini] told me that he traded me to the New York Jets, and I couldn’t show how excited I was at the time, because I thought it would be unprofessional to do a dance in his office," Edwards told the New York Post. "When he told me that, I couldn’t get out of Berea, [Ohio], fast enough."
When he left Ohio he was not nearly as reliable as he is today. He dropped 16 passes in 2008.
"I got a bad rap based on one year, and I don't think it was fair and it stuck with me," he said. "I didn't like that rap, but I can’t go back in the past and change that. I did play for six or seven different quarterbacks there, but that's neither here nor there."
Whether it was the revolving door at quarterback for the Browns or the consistency at the position in New York, something has clearly clicked for the big-play receiver. He only has one drop this season.
"He's a guy that should be able to get a touchdown a game," head coach Rex Ryan said. “That's the kind of ability he has, and that’s the way we should target him. He has made some huge plays for us and I think there are many more to come."
Will Edwards allow all the drama surrounding the game affect his play? He is returning to play a team that basically gave up on him and viewed his trade as addition by subtraction.
"I'm happier," Edwards reassured New Yorkers. "My personal war with Cleveland, that's secondary."
That personal war will be waged Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.
