Addition of WR Edwards thrills Jets QB Sanchez
Photo credit: AP | New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) speaks with head coach Rex Ryan as New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) walks nearby during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins. (October 12, 2009)
Braylon Edwards
Mark Sanchez
Oct. 13: Dolphins 31, Jets 27
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - This was all so new for the rookie quarterback, an experience unlike any other.
When Mark Sanchez awoke eight days ago and learned he had a new 6-3, 215-pound teammate to throw to, initially he was torn apart. Gone was good buddy Chansi Stuckey, traded along with linebacker Jason Trusnik and two draft picks to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards.
"It was weird because that was the first time I was a part of something like that," Sanchez said Wednesday. "I said last week how close Stuckey and I were. And obviously, no disrespect to Braylon, but I miss Stuck as a friend. He's a great guy and was a very good player for us. So that's kind of the way this league goes, as you come to find out.
"But the first time it happens you are like, 'Whoa.' That guy went to bed and he was a Jet, and now he woke up and he's a Brown. That's weird. But you move on and play, and thankfully we got a great talent in Braylon, another good guy."
With the way the two looked in their debut together in Monday night's 31-27 loss to the Dolphins, Sanchez probably feels like he won the lottery - except he kind of already did when he inked that $50-million contract. But Sanchez couldn't buy a receiver with the talents of Edwards, whose eye-popping performance against Miami evoked anger from Browns fans who didn't think he lived up to his billing in Cleveland.
Edwards and Sanchez looked as if they had been playing together for years. Edwards' five-catch, 65-yard, one-touchdown showing - he also set up two TDs - was the result of extra film study. The duo watched film together with receivers coach Henry Ellard the morning after the trade, trying to get a feel for each other before they even hit the practice field.
Sanchez also knew what he had in Edwards when he watched a highlight reel of his Browns days with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
"We were both looking at each other like, 'Whoa,' " Sanchez said. "This dude is something else."
Once practice is over, the two have spent extra time ironing out the nuances that a quarterback and receiver need to be on the same page with in order to be successful. Surprisingly, in just four practices and one game, Sanchez and Edwards have built a nice rapport.
"Our comfort level is already there," Edwards said. "I think we are already comfortable with each other, and now the thing is just moving forward and getting better, and getting to where we can do it at a Peyton Manning-Reggie Wayne level. Right now, we are comfortable with each other. But that's just the start."
Perhaps it's only a coincidence, but Edwards' Jets debut also marked the first time in five games Sanchez hasn't thrown an interception or lost a fumble. He was solid, completing 12 of 24 passes for 172 yards after a turnover-filled loss a week earlier against the Saints.
"This was definitely the best game I've had, but still nowhere near where I want to be," Sanchez said. "I always feel like I've got miles and miles of room to improve, but it's getting a lot better."
Especially with Edwards on board.
