First it was Marvin Harrison, then it was Anquan Boldin, now, it seems that Braylon Edwards might be the next wide receiver to be joining the Philadelphia Eagles. They have apparently joined the group of teams that are looking to deal for the guy. It would be a great thing for the Birds to acquire a top-notch wideout, but as far as I can tell, Cleveland would demand a first round draft pick (unless they get desperate), and Edwards would want a new contract. Neither of these two things would go well with the Eagles administration, and the possibility of them trading for Edwards, in my opinion is between nope and not gonna do it.
Let's start by looking at the receivers they have. The tandem of Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson is the best they've had in the Andy Reid era. Yes, T.O. is the best receiver in Eagle green in the past 10 years, but I would say the Todd Pinkston devalues that duo. Adding Braylon Edwards would certainly upgrade the corps, but not enough in the Eagles' eyes to justify the price tag that would come along with him. Sure, the team has plenty of money under the cap, but they would have to view Edwards as enough as an upgrade to warrant the spending of cash. He made over 10 million dollars, including bonuses in 2008 and could look for as much in a new deal. Generally he would be worth it since he may be one of the top five receivers in the league however if anyone knows how Joe Banner works, he low balls players, then pays based on future production, not on what someone has already accomplished. Curtis made less than six million last year.
The Eagles do certainly have two first round draft picks and it is possible that one could be used to obtain Edwards, but it is also possible, more likely even that they will use both picks to fill glaring needs at offensive tackle and either tight end or running back. There will be no way that Edwards will have the opportunity to catch balls thrown at his feet if the QB is on his back all day due to a revolving door on the offensive line. There was some talk of a stop-gap solution putting Todd Herremans or Shawn Andrews at the spot vacated by Tre Thomas so that would free up one of the picks that could go for Edwards. In addition, the Eagles have something like eight second day picks and one or two of those could get a deal moving as throw ins.
Joe Banner is the maker or breaker of this deal for Edwards. Instead of looking at Edwards 2007 season when he scored 16 touchdowns and caught 80 balls for 1289 yards, he is bound to base any trade value on his 2008 stats when he scored only three TDs with 873 yards receiving, indicating that this may be Edwards' potential on his team, adding in the number of drops Braylon is credited with as well. All this may be true, and it is unfortunate because Banner won't look at the big picture. Does this make my wide receiver corps better? He will put Edwards in a particular spot, say in Curtis's spot on the field and ask, "is this guy worth four million dollars more?" The answer will be no and he will cite "value" at the position. Forget asking if Edwards is better than Reggie Brown or Hank Baskett.
It won't be a shock if the Eagles are able to obtain Edwards. They did get T.O. and speed racer Donte Stallworth via trades so it isn't unprecedented. The big difference here is that T.O. was an upgrade over James Thrash to the Nth degree and Stallworth was there only to fill the massive whole that Owens left. But if they do decide that Edwards is worth the price it would take to get him, then perhaps kudos would be deserved. Right now, I'll reserve the right to skepticism as I wait for Braylon to be traded elsewhere and Banner to say they tried....just like they tried to get Randy Moss and resign Brian Dawkins.
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Comments (12) Add A Comment
just get him
he had a bad year, who doesnt
and look at the quality qbs he had..none really
give him mcnabb and its game over
ramsay1190
Casselberry , FL
Total Comments (1)
I said it a month ago on this website that Braylon Edwards WOULD BE the receiver that they trade for along with TE Tony Gonzalez. Edwards had a bad year in 2008 because of the QB circus in Cleveland. He did not concentrate on catching (16 drops) the ball because he knew that he would be trade bait in 2009 and did not want to risk injury playing for a crappy team. He used to make all kind of acrobatic catches the years before and was a great receiver in gaining yards after the catch. GET HIM!! Tony Gonzalez still wants out of KC. they are saying he is not available to try and drive up the price. I say our 2nd rounder would reel him in. GET HIM!!
PEACHO
Levittown , PA
Total Comments (77)
I hope you're both right.
The Sports Simpleton
Willingboro , NJ
Total Comments (413)
The Eagles will not get any of these players.
Weapon X
Total Comments (28487)
I think you're right too!
The Sports Simpleton
Willingboro , NJ
Total Comments (413)
I really would like to see Edwards as an Eagle. I think they can make this deal happen.
The Giants offered a 2nd, 5th, and Mario Manning or Hixon but the Browns wanted Smith instead because they wanted a "starting caliber" WR. The Eagles could easily offer Reggie Brown (who they don't use but is a "starting caliber" WR), a 2nd, and multiple 5th's.
All they have to do is pull the trigger.
Philly: Go Horns!
Arlington , TX
Total Comments (30455)
Something tells me that the only trigger they're pulling is the one that ends up shooting themselves in the foot.
The Sports Simpleton
Willingboro , NJ
Total Comments (413)
What have the Eagles gotten in the past few years via trades? Almost nothing.
The True Joker
Total Comments (11609)
Donte Stallworth for Mark Simoneau, a 2nd round draft pick for AJ Feely, a 2nd Round Pick for Al "Pass Interference" Harris, T.O. for a draft pick and Brandon Whiting, Billy McMullen for Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis for a 158th round pick.....all of these deals I'd do again. Besides trades don't happen all that often in the NFL.
The Sports Simpleton
Willingboro , NJ
Total Comments (413)
If Edwards is going for a 1st round pick, no way the eagles pull the trigger. The eagles need their 1st round picks to trade down for more 2nd round picks so they can in turn draft more defensive and offensive linemen, who will disappear into that bottomless pit of a roster never to be heard of again.
after YEARS of drafting lineman after lineman.... I find it amazing that somehow, we still have a glaring need at offensive line! Seriously? where did the phalanx of linemen you drafted in the past 4 seasons go? And the only reason we aren't in trouble is because we signed a free agent lineman. Which means, we're just drafting for fun.... we might as well trade those picks away, for a player we at least know will appear in games!
BombSniffinDog
Total Comments (63)
Good blog.
I know the Eagles' value-based approach is maddening to the fans. Fans see a big name guy and think "Wow gotta have him!".
When looking at the numbers on paper, I wonder if the Eagles see see margins over current production, like an economist. Hypothetically speaking (all numbers extracted rectally, but the thought process is what is important):
Adding a number 1 receiver would add, say, 17 catches per year in the number 1 spot.... 6 catches per year in the number 2 slot, and down 4 catches per year in the number 3 slot. That net delta of 19 catches is actaully 36 pass plays (factoring incompletions) with an average gain of 8.2 yars per play....
Of which 30 of those plays are pulled form Bryan Westbrook... who is paid $XX,XXX,XXX per year who gains an average of 7.4 yards per play. For the marginal improvement over current production of about 2 yards per game, the Eagles increased the salary totals by $6 million per year. Since the return on investimet is marginal over current performance, the increased cost is not justified.
But you say "what about the marketing revenue?"... but the jerseys and ticket sales would be $Y,YYY,YYY per year!.. well they already sell out and maybe each Edwards jersey reduces the number of McNabb Jersies or Westbrook jersies for nominal gain. I dunno.
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
I know... you think I'm right too.
PSUinHolidaySpirit
Total Comments (11002)
Oh no, I don't think you're right....I know you're right.
The Sports Simpleton
Willingboro , NJ
Total Comments (413)
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