Braylon Edwards is the newest member of the New York Jets receiving corps and already he is talking like a starter for the team. Edwards signed a contract right before training camp was to begin. As the Jets receiving corps is marred by inexperience and injuries, leaving the doors wide open for someone to emerge as the top target, especially while Santonio Holmes continues to remain M.I.A. Edwards believes he will be "the guy" in New York.
"I didn't come here in a role where I'm going to help, I came here to start. And if that's not the case then I'm going to do all that I can," Edwards told reporters.
This is Edwards' third stint with the Jets. The first began when he was traded from the Cleveland Browns in 2009 and ended after 2010. His second stint with the team was last season after being dropped by the Seattle Seahawks. Edwards' best season with the team came in 2010 where he recorded 904 yards and seven touchdowns. He showed up in new form, having dropped 13 pounds in the offseason.
While Edwards insists that he is fully healthy, head coach Rex Ryan will limit the reps the veteran gets in training camp. They cannot afford to lose another wide receiver to injury, so playing it safe is their best bet.
While Edwards is guaranteeing himself a starter, there are still questions remaining about how will be throwing him the ball. The competition between MarkSanchez and Geno Smith is likely to heat up at every practice. While Edwards is certainly not picking a winner, he is rooting for Sanchez.
"I wish him well and I hope he can be the guy," Edwards said. "But at the same time I'm a Jet first. So I hope the guy who wins the job is the guy who is going to help us propel to the next level...Whichever guy that is, that's the guy I want to win."
Ryan is hopeful that the team can name a starting quarterback quickly in order to get some rhythm established on offense. He is not looking to drag the process out, suggesting that preseason performance will be extremely important.
"That's something you want to do sooner rather than later," Ryan said, "but I think the big thing is to make sure that there's fair competition and you feel good about the decision. When I make that decision, clearly I'll feel great about it. And not just me, but I'll lean on several other people. But, it has to be the right decision."
Time will tell who gets the spot. Both Sanchez and Smith will continue to rotate spots until a winner emerges.
