The New York Jets have dealt with numerous injuries at the wide receiver position and appear to have gotten desperate for players.
The Jets acquired wideout Braylon Edwards on waivers on Tuesday, reuniting the receiver with his former team just a week after he wrote on Twitter that the organization was made up of "idiots".
Edwards was released by the Seahawks from their injury-reserve list on Monday and had only eight catches for 74 yards and touchdown with the team this season.
"It feels great to be going home," Edwards tweeted. "Thanks to all of jet nation that continuously supported me and pushed for me. I'm back and it's go time."
Edwards was with the Jets in both 2009 and 2010, but was not re-signed by the team last season. Last week he caused a stir after taking the defense of quarterback Mark Sanchez, writing on Twitter: "Don't blame Sanchez. I played there. Blame the idiots calling shots. Mark is a beast and will prove it when given a proper chance."
Later he wrote another tweet apologizing for what he previously said, calling it an "emotional outburst" and admitting that he "disrespected and insulted an administration that I have the utmost respect for," according to ESPN.com.
Now that he is with the team, Edwards will likely try to respect the organization. He was released by the Seahawks soon after writing the tweets and made it through waivers before ending up on Seattle's injury-reserve list.
The Jets had a need at the position after rookie Stephen Hill suffered a knee injury. The team was already dealing with the loss of Santonio Holmes to a season-ending foot injury and a concussion that is keeping receiver Clyde Gates out indefinitely.
Hill has made 21 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Gates has 13 catches for 159 yards. The only healthy receivers with experience on the roster are Jeremy Kerley and Chaz Schilens, who has 26 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
Kerley has been the primary receiver since Holmes went down and is leading the team with 52 receptions for 728 yards and two touchdowns. He also has been serving as the team's punt returner, scoring one touchdown in 16 attempts. Kerley had a season-high seven receptions for 86 yards in the Thanksgiving loss to the Patriots and made four receptions for 27 yards in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The other receivers on the team include Mardy Gilyard, who was signed two weeks ago, as well as rookie Jordan White.
"I know he loved being here," Sanchez said last week about Edwards to the NY Times. "He loved the guys in this locker room."
While with the Jets in 2010, Edwards made 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns and was one of quarterback Mark Sanchez's favorite targets. The previous season he had 35 receptions for 541 yards and four touchdowns while being targeted 72 times.
Edwards was originally acquired from the Cleveland Browns in 2009 for two players and draft picks and he had an 80-yard catch in the AFC championship game loss to Indianapolis in January 2010. While with the Jets and the Browns, Edwards was known to have an attitude and also had an assault incident in Cleveland.
"You guys know what I've always said about Braylon in the past, so you know how I feel about him," coach Rex Ryan said Monday, when asked about the possibility of acquiring Edwards, according to ESPN.com. "But right now, I think we'll just focus on the guys we have."
Last season while with the San Francisco 49ers, Edwards played in nine games and made 15 receptions for 181 yards and zero touchdowns. According to ESPN.com, the "Jets waived running back Kahlil Bell Tuesday morning to create a roster spot for Edwards."
Edwards has dealt with knee issues over the past two seasons, but will give the Jets a tall, athletic receiver that can be a weapon in the endzone. He also made some news earlier this preseason when he took a shot at Sanchez and the Jets, comparing him to Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
"I see better things," Edwards said, comparing Wilson to Sanchez as a rookie in 2009, according to ESPN.com. "It's his approach. It's very veteran-like. He studies film; he breaks it down. He doesn't approach it like a rookie, and he's not looking for excuses. He's very impressive."
Edwards may be able to help the Jets passing offense, which is ranked last in the league with 186 yards per game. Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano has been a disappointment in his first season with the team, as has backup quarterback Tim Tebow.
The Jets are fighting for a playoff spot after winning two games in a row and are chasing the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, who are tied for the sixth playoff spot. The team started off 3-6, but has since won three of the last four games to get back in the playoff picture.
