 Acquired from the Browns last week, newest Jet Braylon Edwards address the New York media at practice for the first time Wednesday. He will make his Jet debut tonight on Monday Night Football against Miami. Sent packing to New York by way of Cleveland, troubled but talented wide receiver Braylon Edwards makes his Jets debut tonight in prime time as Gang Green marches into Miami for an AFC East showdown with the Dolphins. New York’s new wideout won’t be the only Jet getting his first taste of the rivalry with new coach Rex Ryan and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez looking to guide New York to a 4-1 start following last week’s defeat to New Orleans. While the Dolphins are only 1-3, much has been made about New York’s physical defense matching up with Miami’s potent rushing attack.
Edwards, who was acquired from the Browns in exchange for wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and two undisclosed draft choices on Wednesday, believes it won’t be difficult for him absorbing the playbook in a short work week. “I don’t think it will be that hard,” Edwards said during practice this week. “I’ve already been in this system for two years, 2007 and 2008. It’s the same system. It’s a couple of different names. I’ll make sure I stay with those and get those down pat. They’re giving me all the chances and they’re breaking everything down. We’ve been working well together so far.” In Cleveland, Edwards enjoyed an outstanding 2007 campaign, logging 1,289 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. But he has found the end zone just three times since and ranks among the league leaders in dropped passes the past two seasons. “It’s just a fresh start for me being in a situation where everything is moving in the right direction,” Edwards said. “Everything from the coach to the owner. Great owner, great players, great camaraderie. I saw it out there today at practice. These guys are really happy. Everything is clicking. It’s great for me to be part of something like this. It’s good for me, for my mental, for my physical and I’m expecting to play well in this system.” Against the Saints, Sanchez threw three interceptions, including one that was returned 99 yards for a touchdown. New Orleans also recovered a Sanchez fumble in the end zone later in the second quarter to give them a 17-0 lead. Sanchez finally made some rookie mistakes. Jets head coach Rex Ryan said the team is confident they will bounce back in week 5. “I can’t wait to play again,” Ryan said. “It’s almost like you’ve got a volcano inside of you like, ‘Man, let’s go.’ I think that’s the way our team feels.” New York’s defense could also get a boost this week with standout linebacker Calvin Pace returning. He is eligible to return following a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. That could make things even tougher for the Dolphins, who bring the league’s best running game into Monday’s action. Miami averages 183.5 yards per game on the ground. The Dolphins racked up 250 rushing yards in a 38-10 blowout of Buffalo on Sunday for their first win of the season, giving quarterback Chad Henne a victory in his first NFL start. Henne, a college teammate of Edwards at Michigan, is filling in for former Jet signal caller Chad Pennington after the veteran suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. The Jets will certainly be looking for some revenge tonight. Miami clinched the division in the final week last season with a 24-17 road win over New York, ending the Jets’ late-season stumble that cost the team a playoff spot. |
