Usually, I don’t write about stuff that I talked about during PFT Live, unless I’m trying to get you to watch a portion of PFT Live.
Today, I’m making an exception, all in the name of defending a player whom I’ve rarely defended.
New 49ers receiver Braylon Edwards won’t be able to wear No. 17, because the number has been issues to receiver Dominique Zeigler. Edwards instead has been issued No. 81. Previously worn by Terrell Owens.
“Listen here, that number is temporary,” Edwards said, according to Nate Davis of USA Today. “Seventeen is being used right now, and I’m trying to figure out how that’s going to work for the season. But 81 is temporary, and I’m trying to look for a new number.
“I’m not trying to be known as the next [Terrell Owens] or anything related to him, and maybe not even 17. Maybe a fresh start means a fresh number, so 81 is temporary. And when the time is right, I’ll find the number that I’ll be wearing.”
But why wouldn’t Braylon want to be known as the next T.O. “or anything related to him”? Owens is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, due in part to the fact that he can consistently, you know, catch the ball. And despite his flaws, T.O. has never gotten into a hint of trouble.
Edwards, in contrast, can’t seem to stay out of trouble. In 2009, a fight with a 120-pound member of LeBron’s entourage got Braylon run out of Cleveland. In 2010, Edwards created a major distraction when he was arrested for DUI. More recently, as he was looking for a job, he ended up in the middle of a mess in Michigan.
So Braylon should pray every night that he’ll be “known as the next [T.O.] or anything related to him.” The fact that he’d say anything otherwise further proves that he doesn’t get it.
And we wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t ultimately get that $1 million salary for 2011; with the money not guaranteed, the Niners can cut him at any point before the start of the regular season and owe nothing.