Braylon Edwards' Past Struggles: More a Product of His Quarterbacks Than One Would Think

by John B on Sep 9, 2010 11:20 AM EDT

76.9, 72.8, 72.0, 63.1, 82.5, 66.5, 66.6, 63.0

What do those numbers have in common? They are the quarterback ratings for that season of the guys who have lined up under center for a significant chunk of a year with Braylon Edwards. Quarterback rating is not the end all for judging effectiveness, but these numbers are pretty stark. Edwards has rarely had a quality guy looking for him.

The outlier of the group is the 82.5 number. That belonged to Derek Anderson in 2007. How was Edwards that season? He had 80 catches for 1,289 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

I always hear people chide Edwards because he only had one good year. That happened to be the only year of his career he had a productive quarterback. Quarterback play matters a ton when we are talking about receiver productivity.

Braylon has done a lot to fuel the perception he is an underachiver. There are the drops, off field incidents, and an ugly contract dispute in Cleveland. I look at those numbers, though, and feel those writing him off are premature. There aren't many receivers with the ridiculous combination of speed and athleticism to run a route and explode like this.

How much will Mark Sanchez improve in year two? We cannot say at this point. If he matures, though, don't be surprised to see Edwards have a huge year.

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Good post, shut those Brownies’ fans right up!

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by Matt Birch on Sep 9, 2010 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

I think he can be real good

But a drop is a drop no matter who the QB is, he gets that under control and he has as much natural talent as any WR in the league imo.

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by BL3ACH on Sep 9, 2010 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

ive always liked braylon

He’s going to have a huge year. calling it

by renzen on Sep 9, 2010 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

I thought so to. But i’m less confident about that now because of Sanchez. Like JB pointed, doesn’t matter how good a receiver is if he gets bad QB play.

by Crackback on Sep 9, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

He will be good he was decent last yr. also. I beleive he will be good just to piss off his x teams

by DJ. Quillz on Sep 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Once or Twice a game at least

Edwards should be wide open on a first down play action pass. It’ll all be about him hauling in the pass.

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by Mark D on Sep 9, 2010 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

I believe Braylon is good and goner be better, but

I saw this guy drop at least three easy touchdowns last year; all of them were on very catchable passes. Remember, he also fumble a ball last season that could have been a touchdown without being touch. I agree, he has not had any great quarterback play on a consistent basis, however, he has to own some of the blame for his production.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Sep 9, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

I also seen him make catches that humans aren’t supposed to. Like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llDtylhECQQ&feature=related

by Crackback on Sep 9, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry but I disagree

he drops way too many catch-able balls. This sounds just like when T.O. said that if he had a good qb he would have broken all of Jerry Rices records. He’s just too inconsistant to be the #1 receiver especially with a young QB. I think after our bye week when Holmes and Sanchez get a rapport, Holmes is going to be the clear cut go-to receiver. I’d also like to see Keller become more of a weapon on offense and really go after those mismatches against defenders.

by vinnyandthejets on Sep 9, 2010 3:18 PM EDT reply actions