Former Browns GM Phil Savage Weighs in Braylon Edwards Trade

It seems that just about everyone in Cleveland and the football world has an opinion on the Browns trading Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets. It is not surprising that former Browns GM, who drafted Edwards out of the University of Michigan with the 3rd overall pick in 2005, would share his thoughts about the trade. Speaking to The Sporting News, Savage says that he believes that the Jets are the right fit for the troubled 26 year old wide receiver saying:

"The Jets are getting a very talented player," Savage said in a phone interview with Sporting News. "I believe he'll be extremely motivated, and I think Rex Ryan is the right type of coach for Braylon. Look at it this way: When Rex was with the Ravens as a defensive coordinator, he coached against Braylon twice a year. Rex wouldn't want any part of Braylon if he didn't respect him as a player."

So why did Edwards underachieve with the Browns? "When he had the big year in 2007, a lot of things went right for us," Savage said. "The offensive line played well, Jamal Lewis ran for a whole lot of yards, and Derek Anderson played well at quarterback. Braylon was the last link, and he needs that to be most effective.

"He's always going to drop some passes -- he dropped passes at Michigan. But it's OK to drop eight or nine passes a year if you're getting 15 or 16 touchdowns. T.O. (Terrell Owens) drops passes, but the next time you go to him he's standing in the end zone. Braylon needs to get the big-play/drop ratio back to what it was in '07, and I think he'll have a chance to do that with the Jets."

Only eight drafted players remain from the Savage regime after he was fired from the team following their disappointing 4-12 season last year.