Braylon Edwards a trade target?

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:26 am

from http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/03/did-giants-nix-smith-for-edwar.html

Did Giants nix Smith for Edwards swap?

Would you trade Steve Smith for Braylon Edwards?

That’s a decision Giants GM Jerry Reese reportedly had to make. And he apparently wouldn’t do it.

According to a report in The Giant Insider, the Giants and Cleveland Browns were involved in brief trade talks recently in which the Giants asked for Edwards and the Browns wanted Smith (plus some draft picks) in return. The trade didn’t happen, obviously, but the article (you need a subscription to TGI read it) does speculate that the talks could heat up again as it gets closer to the NFL draft.

I can’t confirm the story for you at the moment. But it certainly was a hot rumor for a while that the Giants were going after Edwards, though the rumor (which I previously told you was untrue) was that the Giants were dangling DE Mathias Kiwanuka. TGI’s story confirmed the Kiwanuka part was bogus.

What TGI says actually happened is that the Giants offered Cleveland the two draft picks they got in the Jeremy Shockey deal (a second and a fifth), and the Browns said they wanted those picks and Smith. The Giants said no to that, according to the story, but offered an alternative of the picks plus Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham.

At that point, the story says, “Cleveland balked and the talks died.”

I don’t blame Cleveland for balking, if they really did. The 26-year-old Edwards has outstanding size (6-3, 215) and is just two years removed from an incredible, 80-catch, 1,289-yard, 16-touchdown season. Yes, his numbers were down this year (55-873-3) and he led the NFL in drops (16), but he has a bigger upside than most of the receivers in the NFL — definitely a bigger upside than Hixon or Manningham.

The only downside to Edwards — other than the dropsies — is that his contract is due to expire after the 2009 season and since he’s already making $4.55 million it’s a good bet he’s going to ask for $8-10 million per year.

Still, I’m guessing if the Browns really shopped Edwards around they could do better than a second, fifth and Hixon/Manningham.

From the Giants’ perspective, with Plaxico Burress in limbo Smith is the best receiver they’ve got (57 catches, 574 yards, one touchdown last year, but with only four starts). I’m sure the Giants envisioned pairing Edwards with Smith, not swapping them. With two second-round picks, though, I wonder if there‘s a way to sweeten that offer and keep Smith out of it.

Again, I’m not confirming anything. I’m just pointing out an interesting report and giving you all a little something to debate during this slow time of year.

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:31 am

Personally I think the Giants are hedging their bets and waiting to see what happens wth Plax

I do think the front office is seriously interested in Edwards

Perhaps 1st and fourth round picks for Edwards?

we still have #45 and #60 in the first two rounds, plus we are likely to get a 4th round compensationary pick

56 Crazed Dogs Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:01 am

No Thanks, our offense will get along just fine without him.
Two things that I hate the most: A false start penalty or a dropped ball in a critical down situation

Braylon Edwards
Targets 138
Drops 16
Percent Caught 39.9
Percent First down 30.4

Steve Smith
Targets 82
Drops 3
Percent Caught 69.5
Percent First down 42.7

Domenik Hixon
Targets 72
Drops 2
Percent Caught 59.7
Percent First down 40.3

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:14 am

Edwards has been down on his team for not being competitve; this is a guy who wants to win.

To be honest Plax was a much worse than Edwards when he got herel all things considered he turned out ok.
to be fair Plax has had more than his fair share of drops as well.

I suspect that Edwards does have the work ethic to improve, I think our coaching staff would get more out of him than in Cleveland.

Edwards is only one season removed from an all pro calibre year, I have no doubt in the right system he can get back to that. The other plus is that Edwards is only 26

I have been a bit each way on Edwards for a while now, but having given it a heap of thought I would rather bring in him than Boldin, he will be cheaper both in picks and contract; plus he will have to earn everything, there is no free rides here.

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:31 am

I think a better comparison for Edwards in Burress

both are the focal points for their teams passing game and they draw additional attention which opens up opportunites for other recievers (eg Hixon. Smith, Stallworth, Jurevicious)

Looking at the last three seasons for Edwards (non-rookie years)

Season average: 16 games, 65.3 rec, 1,015.33 yds, 15.6 yds/Rec, 8.33TD

vs the last 4 seasons for Burress (at NYG)

Season average: 14.25 games, 61 rec, 925.25 yds, 15.2 yds/Rec, 8.25TD

Both players have performed remarkably similarly over the same period in similar roles. Edwards had done it on a much worse team with less talent (particularly defense) and a volatile QB situation, with more talent around him Edwards would likely perform alot better. Edwards has also alot more upside than Burress.

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:34 am

Of course, if we traded for Edwards, there is the possibility of having Burress and Edwards on the field at the same time (once Burress does jail/suspension)
with Hixon and Smith in the #3 and #4WR roles

That would be a nightmare for teams to defend against

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:34 am

I think Anquan Boldin is still very much in the mix as well

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:38 am

more information on the negotiations

from http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2009/03/report_new_york_giants_discuss.html

Report: New York Giants discussed trade for Cleveland Browns' Braylon Edwards
by Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger
Sunday March 22, 2009, 9:28 PM

The Giants reportedly pursued a trade for Edwards.
There have been plenty of rumblings the Giants had talked with the Browns about a trade for their top wide receiver, Braylon Edwards. Those rumors had revolved around the Giants' sending defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka to Cleveland. I had heard nothing to substantiate the rumors, so I didn't mention them here.

But Ken Palmer of The Giant Insider reported today that, while the Giants never dangled Kiwanuka, they did inquire about Edwards.

To read the full story, you need a Scout.com subscription, but I've seen the full report and I'll tell you what Palmer's reporting:

The Giants offered the Browns the two draft picks they received from the Saints last year in exchange for TE Jeremy Shockey: a second-round pick and a fifth-rounder.

The Browns countered by asking for WR Steve Smith. The Giants said no.

The Giants then offered either of two other WRs: Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham. The Browns said no.

The talks died down after that last exchange, though they could pick up at draft time.

I wish I could tell you more on this one, but I have nothing as of right now. What I do know is Palmer has been covering the Giants for a long time and has been out in front of plenty of stories.

I don't doubt the Giants inquired about Edwards. And when Jerry Reese is asked about this report, he'll probably give us the old, "We investigate everything. You know that." But the exchange of several offers indicates this was more than just due diligence here. And while Palmer is suggesting the talks could spark again come draft time, I'm thinking Plaxico Burress' legal situation could be the catalyst. If he goes to jail or is suspended for a while, the Giants will need to move along to the plan they have for Burress' absence. And like Tom Coughlin said at the scouting combine, "it'd be great to have a player, if it's not Plaxico, but with Plaxico's magnitude, on our football team." That player could be the 6-3, 215-pound Edwards, who surely wowed the Giants with his five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown against them last season - even if he has had a bad case of the dropsies of late.

The only part of the report that does surprise me is the Giants' offering Manningham. I know the coaching staff is very, very high on him and the front office obviously loved him before the draft. So maybe that's a sign they're very interested in Edwards.

Right now, who knows? We'll have to stay tuned on this one.

Big_Pete Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:41 am

Kiwanuka for Edwards?

That is a deal I could see, particularly as Kiwanuka would be an ideal fit at OLB for Mangini....

I know I really like Kiwanuka,

but he is off contract after 2009 and are the front office going to give him an extension similar to Tucks? (I hope so)

If Kiwanuka is in the Plans, then picks make sense or perhaps Pierce and/or Robbins (which also creates the cap room for Edwards new deal)

either way, it seems Reese has genuine interest in Braylon Edwards

56 Crazed Dogs Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:19 pm

I see no reason to trade Kiwanuka. He's actually under contract until after the 2010 season and he's paid relatively cheap. His base salary for 2009 is 650,000 and for 2010 is 726,000.

No matter who we trade or how we trade, Edwards is going to cost too much money imo.
Perhaps if Plax is surely gone for the season then I might feel differently.
Personally, I like the competition that we have at wr right now.

Big_Pete Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:56 am

from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/03/23/2009-03-23_braylon_edwards_catches_giants_eyes.html

Braylon Edwards catches Giants' eyes

BY Ralph Vacchiano
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Monday, March 23rd 2009, 8:45 PM
Shamus/Getty

Braylon Edwards to the Giants might not be too big a stretch.

Unsure of Plaxico Burress' availability for the 2009 season, the Giants attempted to replace him with Cleveland's Braylon Edwards.

Giants GM Jerry Reese inquired about the Browns' 26-year-old receiver at the NFL scouting combine last month, a league source confirmed, and Reese hasn't ruled out pursuing him again. Cleveland Browns GM George Kokinis confirmed to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer that the Giants have asked about Edwards, but said the talks didn't get very far.

"We exchanged ideas about everything, but nothing really culminated into specifics," Kokinis said at the NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif. "I'm excited to have Braylon on this team. He brings a dimension that not a lot of receivers can bring in relation to going up and attacking the football. He had extremely good production a couple years ago and we're anticipating he has that this year."

According to a report in The Giant Insider, the talks went a little further than Kokinis let on. The report said the Giants offered the two picks they acquired in the Jeremy Shockey trade last July - a second- and a fifth-rounder. The Browns asked for those picks plus receiver Steve Smith. Then the Giants countered with either receiver Domenik Hixon or receiver Mario Manningham.

The Browns said no to that, according to the report, and the talks died.

Reese declined to comment on the Giants' interest in Edwards. Asked specifically about that report, he said, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Edwards (6-3, 215) would give the Giants the big receiver they lack without Burress. He's also just one year removed from an incredible season - 80 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2007. His numbers dipped to 55 catches, 873 yards and three touchdowns last year. He also led the NFL with 16 drops.

Edwards is scheduled to make $4.55 million in 2009, which is the final year of his contract. If a new collective bargaining agreement is not signed by next March, Edwards would be a restricted free agent next year and his team would only have to offer him $5,005,000 to keep his rights.

Big_Pete Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:58 am

What is getting me is that these rumours are coming from the more reliable sources (who usually have inside information)

it looks like there is defeinate substance to the Giants targeting Edwards

I don't think Kiwanuka is on the agenda. I think Reese wants the trade to be for draft picks

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