Discussing Trades and Roster Moves

Tomorrow has been set aside for my Jets game preview but no doubt the topic of today will be the trade the NY Jets engineered to acquire wide receiver, Braylon Edwards, from the Cleveland Browns.  Every now and then a trade that sounds riskier than the reward occurs, and this year the AFC East has seen it's fair share of that, what with the Richard Seymour trade earlier in the year.  Some could have applied the same label to Miami trading away two offensive linemen, but so far so good in our favour on that one, especially as it's likely we ended up trading two players who weren't going to make the roster in favor of adding a very solid backup QB after Chad Pennington's injury.

But I bring this up because already panic has started to set in amongst Miami fans in regards to facing Edwards twice a year, and of course the rumblings of 'why didn't WE trade for him' will undoubtedly surface over and over again as long as Edwards and the Jets are a successful pairing.  But there's a lot more than just what's on the surface.  

Most fans don't think about this stuff, but anyone who's played or coached team sports knows that team chemistry on and off the field is extremely important, and often plays a role in shaping a roster.  For all the limits and pitfalls of Miami's current receiving corps, it's likely that guys like Brandon London didn't 'fit' in to the mold that the coaches are looking for to be part of the team.  And while no sane general manager would look at someone like Braylon Edwards and not see an extremely talented football player that can make an impact, he also has to weigh the pros and cons.  In my mind there are more cons to the deal than pros as far as the Jets are concerned.  Until the new couple gets past the honeymoon period and shows they were meant to be, by winning championships together, it's hard to imagine that this move somehow makes them ready to contend for the Superbowl.

The Jets got Edwards, their true number 1 receiver, except it's been a while since he was the go-to-guy (10 catches in 4 games is not going to cut it).  In return, the Browns, who were unable to keep private their locker room cancers over the last few years, get rid of one of the tumors, and his massive cap blow, and also get Chansi Stuckey (an NFL starting WR), Jason Trusnik (backup linebacker who was very impressive against us in the week 17 matchup with the Jets last year, registering 5 tackles and a fumble recovery), AND not one, but two undisclosed draft picks.  According to my math, the picks are a 3rd and a lower round pick.

So, if we do the same math, Braylon Edwards, currently under investigation for assault, who was also partying with Donte Stallworth the night Stallworth committed vehicular manslaughter, would have cost Miami the following in trade:  Davone Bess, Reggie Torbor, a 3rd round pick and probably a 4th or a 6th.  Does he still sound worth it?  Yes, Edwards and Ginn would open things up, but at what cost?  And what cost do the Jets pay on top of their traded goods, when Edwards brings his attitude, media circus, and penchant for violence to New York?  

To that I say, thanks but no thanks.  I'd rather wait for the draft and use one draft pick to solve our issues.  There's no reason why we can't draft someone with class and character, not to mention better hands, like Eric Decker.  A rookie can be molded and kept out of trouble.  A veteran trouble-maker usually can not.  But as a draft-nut, I'm a bit biased.

Ok, now for some fun:

Put on your General Manager hats and share your crazy trade ideas with the rest of us.