Edwards' case delayed; wants to be Jet

Free agent Braylon Edwards, whose DWI case was adjourned Mondayuntil May 16, reiterated he wants to remain a Jet.

Edwards' attorney seeks time to challenge evidence the district attorney's office wants to introduce. The wide receiver spoke after his brief appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court before hopping into the rear of a waiting black Cadillac SUV.

Edwards said he chatted with coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum "a couple of days ago," though the conversation didn't focus on football. Edwards said there's mutual admiration and is hopeful something will be worked out whenever a new collective-bargaining agreement is reached.

"The interest is there on their side and on my side," Edwards said. "We've just got to put it together and see what happens.

"If they give me an opportunity, I'd definitely want to come back here and maybe take advantage of the AFC championship this year. Maybe we'll win one."

Edwards, 28, faces two misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and one for driving while impaired - with a maximum penalty of a year in jail - stemming from a Sept. 21 arrest. Police said his blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit in New York.

Edwards, who denies driving drunk, was pulled over because police thought the tinted windows on his vehicle were too dark.

The district attorney wants to introduce more scientific evidence, such as breath samples that were taken. But Edwards' attorney, Peter Frankel, said he plans to file additional motions at an April 11 hearing before his client's next scheduled court date to oppose the use of that evidence. The case also was adjourned in November and in January.

Frankel said he's already challenged the results of the Breathalyzer administered at the police precinct, and he contends Edwards shouldn't have been given a Breathalyzer at any point.

"They are looking to bolster their case with as much evidence as they can, which is normal and to be expected," Frankel said. "But we don't feel that that's evidence that should be allowed."

The district attorney's office hasn't offered a plea deal, Frankel added, but discussions are ongoing.

At the time of the arrest, Edwards was serving 18 months' probation for aggravated disorderly conduct after a no-contest plea for allegedly punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub in October 2009, days before the Browns traded him to the Jets.

If convicted on the DWI charge and found to have violated the terms of probation, Edwards could face an additional six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. He also could be subject to the NFL's personal-conduct policy, which could bring a fine and a suspension.

"I think from his standpoint, he considers this case to be extremely important," Frankel said. "He's taking it very seriously and he's done everything I've asked him to do. He understands it's a very important time in his life, and he wants to get through this the best way he can. So he's doing all the right things."

Said Edwards: "When the right time is to get it over with, we'll be over with it. My lawyer is doing a great job, and I'm cooperating and doing my part.''