Ray L.Stanhope, NJQ: Is Braylon Edwards coming back to the Jets?
Peter H.Harwich, MA
Q: I notice Braylon Edwards may be available. The Jets offense was never better without him and Santonio… Does management have enough humility to resign him even through his criticism? He would help Sanchez.
EA: The Jets announced Tuesday afternoon that they were awarded Edwards off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.
If his knee checks out, the addition is low risk/high reward. The production has not been there the last two seasons as BE played nine games with the 49ers in 2011, registering career-lows in both catches (15) and yards (181). Then he moved to Seattle this season and had only eight grabs.
Edwards enjoyed playing for the Jets and the 6'3", 214-pounder excelled in 2010 with 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven TDS. He has a good relationship with Mark Sanchez, he is a willing blocker on the outside and he makes a lot of sense at this point. Edwards is a competitor and he will come back eager to show that he can still play at a high level.
"My knee is great," Edwards tweeted last week. "I'm in tip-top shape. (I) make plays every day in practice — ready to make them on someone's field."
The Jets are thin at receiver. Stephen Hill suffered a knee injury Sunday and Clyde Gates is attempting to return from a concussion. That leaves Jeremy Kerley, Chaz Schilens and Mardy Gilyard as the top three on the depth chart. Rookie Jordan White, who is best suited for the slot behind Kerley, was deactivated against the Jags.
Since the team plays Monday night, they won't resume practice until Thursday. Edwards has to learn a new playbook and the Jets have to evaluate where he is at. Perhaps he can provide a boost in the red zone?
ArtLaguna Beach, CAIt is true that Mark Sanchez has had problems the past two years. Isn't time to ask why? I think that GM Mike Tannenbaum has made this offensive group — a group that no quarterback could be successful with.
EA:Injuries have decimated the Jets' receiving options in 2012. The Jets blueprint for winning right now — tough defense coupled with a strong ground game — isn't pretty, but whatever it takes. It is maddening to me when folks say the Jets would be better off losing out in order to secure a higher draft pick because they have deficiencies. Everyone in this league has blemishes and you play to your strengths.
The Jets O-Line is opening holes in the run game and both Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell are running well. This team is 16-2 under Head Coach Rex Ryan when the Green & White for 150-or-more yards. This season, the Jets are 4-0 when they rush 40 or more times and 6-1 when they log 30 or more rush attempts.
Turnovers have plagued Sanchez throughout his career. He has 45 since the beginning of last season including 19 through 13 games here in 2002. You can't place the blame of all those squarely on No. 6 because there have been protection breakdowns and separation issues at times, but Rex Ryan issued a message by pulling him against the Cardinals.
Here is the thing. If the Jets defense plays at their best and the Jets run the ball effectively, they can play with most everyone in football. There isn't much margin for error and that's why they cannot turn the rock over.
Lisa
Eagle River, AK-Hazleton, PA
Q: Can you or somebody tell me why Woody Johnson has not spoken about the debacle of this team? Why he still continues to employ Mike Tannenbaum as GM?
EA:It amazes me how many folks out there who either don't have spell-check or perhaps hit the sauce before typing, but I digress. The Jets are on a two-game win streak. Yes they have beaten a pair of depleted clubs, but they don't make up the schedule.
Per ESPN Stats, the Jets played the toughest schedule in the NFL through the first 12 games. When the Jets were 3-6, Woody Johnson did speak to the media and was asked whether both Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum would be back next year.
"I never make any statements midseason about players or coaches or anything like that," he said.
Johnson expressed optimism that things could get corrected and the Jets have won three of four since then. The Thanksgiving rout to the Patriots was embarrassing, but the Jets have stuck to their winning blueprint against the Rams, the Cards and the Jags.
Three winnable games remain. Can we all let the season play out?
