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Y! MyWebEdwards' drops only part of Browns' problems
Injuries, penalties and miscommunication also are plaguing Cleveland's offense.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
BEREA — The only sign that Braylon Edwards was even around was a neatly stacked pile of street clothes sitting atop a chair in front of his locker.
Never one to shy from the media, the Pro Bowl wide receiver was a no-show Wednesday, Sept. 17, when the Cleveland Browns were available for interviews. He was somewhere in the building, perhaps breaking down film or in the team's crowded trainer's room getting treatment.
Right now, his hands need some work.
Edwards, who had 80 catches for nearly 1,300 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season, has dropped at least five passes in Cleveland's first two games, miscues in home losses to Dallas and Pittsburgh.
Edwards certainly isn't the only problem. The Browns have been without wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (strained quadriceps), and running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and multipurpose threat Joshua Cribbs (ankle) have been less than 100 percent because of injuries. In addition, right guard Rex Hadnot missed the opener with a bad knee.
But Edwards, who dropped a certain TD against the Cowboys and short-armed a pass inside the Steelers' 5 on Sunday night, has yet to deliver the big play the Browns count on him to make.
"We're trying to do everything we can to get him out of his slump," Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said.
Edwards wasn't available for interviews following Sunday's game, and he wasn't in the locker room Monday during the 30-minute period
it is open to the media. On Wednesday, he walked onto the practice field with Lewis and tight end Kellen Winslow, but Edwards wasn't in his normally playful mood.
As for lighting up the scoreboard, Cleveland's offense hasn't come close to matching what it did last season, when it racked up 402 points. Granted, the Browns have faced two of the NFL's top teams in their first few games, but there's no excuse for drops, penalties, miscommunication and poor clock management.
Offense is offensive
The Browns averaged 25.1 points per game last season. How they've fared in two games this season:
Opponent, Yards, Result
Pittsburgh, 208, L 10-6
Dallas, 205, L 28-10
