Edwards Learned Nothing

Edwards was a key reason the Jets took
down the Patriots. He's taken himself
down with a DWI in NYC.

Undoubtedly you've heard of the news that New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested early yesterday morning for DWI. There's just too much to cover with this, but ere goes nothing.

You would think that Edwards would have known better for even climbing into his vehicle. With the NFL cracking down on "bad behavior", Edwards took the risk and failed...miserably. Not only did he blow a 0.16, twice the legal limit of 0.08 in New York, but he also risked the lives of himself and the other three passengers in the car.

You also would think Edwards learned a valuable lesson after what happened to former Browns teammate Donte' Stallworth. I'm as miffed as his teammates. Then again, maybe Edwards thought he was above all of those troubles. Well, he's not. Ask an anonymous teammate.

"This is the last thing we need right now," one Jets player told The [New York] Post. "We have a big game against Miami this week, don't we? We should be concentrating on Miami Dolphins, not answering questions about [Edwards' arrest]. This is an unnecessary distraction."

One unnamed teammate went so far as to refer to Edwards as "selfish". Those of us that have watched a Browns game or two in our day already knew that. Edwards displayed that same type of selfishness during the game against the Patriots last Sunday where he was flagged once for taunting and almost received another for the same offense. He has one big game and he thinks above it all.

Trust me when I say this. It takes a lot to get run out of Cleveland. Sure, the fans may be heartless and boo you incessantly, but if you put forth effort, they will forgive you. Edwards didn't put forth the effort, performed poorly and the Browns shipped him out. I seriously doubt that a city that is a stronghold for OSU missed a former Wolverine in any way. That would have been different had Edwards lived up to his own lofty status.

What annoys me even more about this situation is there's program in place to avoid this type of unnecessary outcome. The Player Protect program was devised so players can obtain a ride if they ever need it after drinking. Edwards chose to ignore this simple protocol. You can't tell me he doesn't have that number on his cell phone. maybe he doesn't because he feels its not a big deal. He better rethink.

And the program is available 24/7 so Edwards has absolutely no excuse. It's not like you're in an NYC taxi. The vehicles used are loaded with amenities. Ipods, DVD players, satellite TV and radio. Plain and simple, this is Edwards' biggest fumble yet.

Another unnamed Jets player and his view of Edwards run of stupidity.

"He's got to know better than this," the player said. "There's a program in place for this. Every player knows about it so there's no excuse for something like this to happen."

But Edwards was not the only one that had a lapse of judgment.

Jets teammates DeBrickashaw Ferguson and Vernon Gholston (and another passenger) were in the vehicle when Edwards was pulled over due to the tinting on the windows being too dark. The three were not charged with any offense, but I have a question. Actually, a line of questioning for those Jets players.

Why didn't Ferguson and Gholston make the call since Edwards didn't? Common sense would dictate that, but apparently Brick and Gholston didn't show any sense either. Did they not know Edwards was impaired? They knew he had been drinking. Edwards and many other Jets players had attended a function in support of wide receiver Jericho Cotchery's foundation earlier in the evening. Knowing this, why did they even get into the vehicle with him? Why would they even consider it? They placed their own lives in danger.

And what do the Jets do? Edwards will not start this weekend against the Dolphins. He'll play, but not start. The Jets are letting the NFL handle the situation.

Way to step up, Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson. Let Roger Goodell take care of your problem child. Talk about a slap on the wrist, if it's even that. A true debacle by the Jets front office. What discipline. We can't pull Edwards. He's our #1 receiver. If Edwards was still in Ann Arbor, he'd be suspended pending a review of the situation even with Rich Rod there. Even worse if Edwards' previous coach Lloyd Carr was running the show.

Of course the legal process must run its course. Until then, the Jets are basically playing a prevent defense. Prevent another loss and prevent doing the right thing.