Braylon Still Possibly Going To The Big Apple?

In the days and weeks preceding the 2009 draft, there were many rumors and reports linking Browns receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants. In the end, the Giants opted to address the void created by the release of receiver Plaxico Burress by drafting wideout Hakeem Nicks. But Edwards still might end up in New York. Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently floated the possibility of the Browns sending Braylon to the Jets in a trade that would reunite running back Thomas Jones with Browns coach Eric Mangini. The disclosure came in response to a reader question regarding the possibility of the Jets cutting Jones, who is skipping offseason workouts apparently due to displeasure with his contract. “Rex Ryan knows that Mangini would scoop up Jones in a New York second if Jones were released,” Grossi writes. “More likely is a future trade involving Jones and, yes, Edwards. You heard it here first.” The move would make plenty of sense, for both teams. The Jets haven’t replaced receiver Laveranues Coles, and they traded up to the top of round three to get running back Shonn Greene, who could be paired with tailback Leon Washington. And since the Browns could use help in the backfield and have been beefing up their passing game with second-rounders like Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, an Edwards-for-Jones swap would improve the Browns right away -- if either of the rookie receivers can fill the void created by Edwards’ departure. The challenge, in our view, will be for the Browns to get something more from the Jets in addition to Jones. And that’s where the action would be on any such transaction, regardless of whether the Browns want yet another of Mangini’s former pupils or whether they want one or more 2010 draft picks.