Braylon Edwards for Sheldon Brown: The Making of a Rumor
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Braylon Edwards for Sheldon Brown: The Making of a Rumor
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
I was minding my own business in the gym, going through the usual routine of dropping the weights on my feet and trying to figure out why the shuffle songs feature on the iPod kept playing "Cold As Ice" every other selection, when someone tapped me on the shoulder and said, "So, Braylon Edwards straight up for Sheldon Brown, huh?"
Actually, he had to say it twice. I missed it the first time because Foreigner was turned up too loud and every time I try to turn it down, I end up changing the song instead, so I just leave it where it is.
The way he said it, I assumed that deal had just been announced. "Really. They did that?"
"Not yet, but I read it on one of those blogs that it had a good chance of happening."
Oh. Unless it is Brookie's "Birds Eye View" blog or that blog produced by the combined forces of our subsidiary edition, the Daily News, I don't put a lot of faith in the substance of what is out there.
It's interesting, though, to find out how some of these rumors get going. The Eagles certainly had some interest and inquired about the availability of Edwards before the draft. Since then, there is little indication of any sustained interest in the receiver who is apparently very unhappy in Cleveland. Here are the career stats for Braylon Edwards.
The rumor of a trade for Sheldon Brown apparently started with a mailbag question to Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, one of the best, most-informed NFL writers in the country and a guy with very good sources particularly within the Browns' organization.
The question was whether a straight-up swap of the two players was a possibility, since both are looking for new scenery.
Grossi wrote: "Quite frankly, the trade you propose is ridiculous. Edwards is a first-round offensive playmaker who hasn't touched his potential yet. Brown is an average cornerback approaching 30."
Seems a bit of a harsh assessment of Brown, but otherwise there's not a lot there that would lead one to think Cleveland would jump at that trade offer.
Still, just the mention of the two names together in a publication somewhere was enough to start a chain reaction that led to rumors, blog postings and the like. Post Patterns is proud to be part of the process.
Now, how about Sheldon for Anquan Boldin?
lonewolf is boring and clueless. his jealousy of McNabb and insecurity in his own self is blatantly obvious. he is a waste of everyone's time and a disgrace to Eagles Nation.— wondo40
Comment removed.
in regards to the story - it started off strong, the writer should of kept that "my day in the gym" angle...I believe he lost his readers with the trade rumors nonsense.- Comment removed.
- Edwards may have a lot of potential, but Sheldon is actually a better player. And the only thing Edwards has over Maclin or Jackson is height. Guys like Edwards, Winslow, Ocho Cinco are expensive headaches. Trade Sheldon for someone we could benefit from, like a running back or blocking tight end/special teams demon.— tacklinjoe
- The over/under on Lonefools age is 16. I am taking the under.— sfeagle
- Send both Brown Clowns to Cleveland for Edwards.— The Marco Islander
- Cold as Ice is a great song. You are a great man.— Wissinoming
- As pointless as this article is, it has generated 52 comments at the time of this posting which almost guarantees that we will see more of this drivel. Bob Ford will likely present this statistic to his boss/management/sponsor to point out how much traffic he brings to the website and that he deserves a bonus (or at the least a job). I realize the fact that I am posting perpetuates this cycle, but I felt it needed to be said. If his bosses were smart they would figure out that they could get rid of Ford and just run a chat room/message board.— JIm Johnson for President
- I think there needs to be a lay off at this rag. the so called journalists have nothing to write about.— maximus
- Farve is going to come out of retirement if McNabb gets hurt.— LGbalsac
- subsidiary edition - Ford, you wish. Hack.— Burrell
- I think the Browns overvalue Braylon Edwards. Their defense has no spine, unlike the Eagles'.— p-diddy
- How many fricken' wide receivers do we need ?— Gringo4
- His iPod has more Foreigner than a 7-11— JSaq
