Braylon Edwards Mimics Merriman

[Hostile]

[font=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Braylon Edwards: Dolphins lied to me and used me[/font]

By Harvey Fialkov
Staff writer
Posted June 29 2005
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[font=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica] PALM BEACH GARDENS -- Deception is part of every NFL team's draft strategy, but former Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards felt the Dolphins crossed the line.

"They kind of flat out lied to me," said Edwards, the No. 3 pick taken by the Cleveland Browns, one spot after the Dolphins chose Auburn running back Ronnie Brown.[/font]

[font=Verdana,Arial, Helvetica] Edwards is attending the three-day NFL symposium for rookies at PGA National. The entire draft class is being instructed on how to better deal with their changing lifestyles.

"They tried to use me ... more so the owner and General Manager, Mr. [Rick] Spielman, Mr. [H. Wayne] Huizenga," Edwards said Tuesday.

"They tried to get some buzz out there so they could try to warrant some trades so they could get more for the pick, when Ronnie Brown is who they wanted in the long run.

"I don't like being lied to. I'm a man. Tell me straight out. [They lied to] my face and on the phone. They actually called me right before they picked as well."

Spielman left the Dolphins and team spokesman Harvey Greene said that while Huizenga is kept abreast of major decisions made by upper management, he wasn't directly involved with potential draft picks.

"Wayne wasn't involved in any of our pre-draft activities. Period, " Greene said.

Before the draft, there were rumors the Dolphins might draft Edwards and then trade him for more draft picks.

The Vikings, who owned the seventh and 18th selections and had traded Pro Bowl receiver Randy Moss, were believed to be in the market for Edwards.

Also, the Commanders, who held picks at Nos. 9 and 25, respectively, were reportedly interested.

Minnesota took South Carolina receiver Troy Williamson with its seventh pick, while the Commanders didn't draft a receiver until the seventh round.

Edwards said while Dolphins coach Nick Saban also misled him, he didn't hold any ill will toward him.

"The coach has little to do [with it]," Edwards said. "It more so comes from inside, management, so that's why I really don't hold him [responsible].

"Other than that, I feel blessed I'm in the situation I'm in Cleveland where I love my teammates, a good organization, a new beginning, Coach [Romeo] Crennel.

"I got over it real quick. I was a little hurt, but as soon as Cleveland called my name I was right back at it."

Edwards said that since the Indianapolis combine he and Brown have become good friends, and he is looking forward to Nov. 20 when the Dolphins play the Browns in Cleveland.

"I wish the players and their team good luck and when we see them -- they're in trouble," Edwards said.

Brown, along with fellow Dolphins rookies Anthony Alabi, Kevin Vickerson, Travis Daniels, Matt Roth and Channing Crowder, attended the symposium.

Contract negotiations with the Dolphins top picks aren't expected to begin in earnest until after July 4. [/font]

 

[KDWilliams85]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ware or Spears mentioned some BS like this now.

 

[Hostile]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ware or Spears mentioned some BS like this now.

It would me. It's called character.

 

[wxcpo]

These players kill me with "they lied to me" crap. The NFL is a business and teams have been conducting business this way for years and will continue to do so. They are not going to tip their hands and admint they are only interested in a single player. The Dolphins probably had some interest in Edwards, heck just about every team did, so if the Dolphins could swing a deal that got them a few more picks then so be it.

These guys should just feel blessed that they are given the talent that allows them to make millions of dollars playing a kids game.

 

[wxcpo]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ware or Spears mentioned some BS like this now.

Nowadays nothing that these kids coming into the NFL or NBA for that matter surprises me.

 

[scottsp]

Not that this practice hasn't been going on for years. You would think agents would prep these kids and set expectations. Yeah, believe what an organization is going to tell you and take it to the bank. Get serious.

Gotta throw all that nonsense out on draft day. This kid is either barking to bark or he isn't very wise to the ways of the NFL world.

 

[calico]

I am so tired of athletes right now. They are such P***ies. Seriously. What do they expect. This is the 3rd story today I heard about a player drafted in various sports who are all red-assed over being "lied" to. Teams tell at least 10 players every draft that they are "their man." God, get an education.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I am so tired of athletes right now. They are such P***ies. Seriously. What do they expect. This is the 3rd story today I heard about a player drafted in various sports who are all red-assed over being "lied" to. Teams tell at least 10 players every draft that they are "their man." God, get an education.

Amen.

I especially get tired of the "I'm a man, treat me like a man" garbage. Someone should tell him that he's acting like a baby who just had his pacifier taken away... And a gullible baby, at that.

You just made millions of dollars for something you haven't even proven you can do yet, Braylon. Shut up, be happy you get to play a game for a living, and go to work earning some of that cash.

 

[KDWilliams85]

It would me. It's called character.

A naive and short-sighted comment but an understandable one. You usually don't associate such a circumstance to someone who seemingly wouldn't show it. But, it's the ultimate sign of character to be vocal about an organization/person that merely used you as a pawn to get other teams to do what you wanted them to.

Braylon Edwards was completely right to sound off about Miami as was Merriman to be vocal about Dallas. A team shouldn't make any kind of statement or comment that would lead a person to believe that they'd have a future there. Players often gear themselves to what a coach or a GM tells them to do. When an opportunity arises and that player isn't taken by a team that said they would, it's often disheartening and you get this.

This is as much Miami's fault as it is anyone's. Their apparent need for RB was irrelevant. If you're gonna make any kind of passing comment or firm commitment on someone, you should stick by it. It's a matter of honor.

 

[Seven]

Yeah, got over it real quick. Still talking about it.
"They TRIED to use me". Come on Braylon......They DID use you. It works that way. Cleveland will TRY and use you....'til their done with ya.

 

[KDWilliams85]

Amen.

I especially get tired of the "I'm a man, treat me like a man" garbage. Someone should tell him that he's acting like a baby who just had his pacifier taken away... And a gullible baby, at that.

You just made millions of dollars for something you haven't even proven you can do yet, Braylon. Shut up, be happy you get to play a game for a living, and go to work earning some of that cash.

That's the kind of attitude that gets people walked on. You have to be able to stand for something otherwise you'll fall for anything.

You'd be a little bit annoyed, upset, or any other word you can associate if a team told you that you were their guy and they wound up shafting you.

As for telling 10 or more people the very same thing, that's a little different because those guys are usually not around by the time you pick. And through some circumstance they are, they also understand that they can only commit to one of those people. Imagine 10 people under the very same circumstance. It wouldn't be an easy pick if you had every one of your targets available.

 

[AsthmaField]

That's the kind of attitude that gets people walked on. You have to be able to stand for something otherwise you'll fall for anything.

You'd be a little bit annoyed, upset, or any other word you can associate if a team told you that you were their guy and they wound up shafting you.

As for telling 10 or more people the very same thing, that's a little different because those guys are usually not around by the time you pick. And through some circumstance they are, they also understand that they can only commit to one of those people. Imagine 10 people under the very same circumstance. It wouldn't be an easy pick if you had every one of your targets available.

The bottom line is that Edwards and Merriman are being immature about it. It happens to numerous players every draft and yet you don't hear all of them whining to the media about it. Those players who don't whine understand that it happens from time to time.

Had Merriman been picked at the eighth pick, do you think he would've been telling that team not to pick him because Dallas was going to take him at 11 and that they really wanted him? Heck no. He would've taken that money at 8 and never looked back.

It happens. Get over it. Dallas chose someone else and Miami chose someone else. You lost out on the job interview. It happens to all of us.

The players do it too. I've seen free agents verbally commit to a team and then sign with another at the last second. Can't blame them either. It's a business and that happens sometimes.

Who knows how accurate Edwards and Merriman are in telling what was really said anyway? Dallas might've said, "We really like you at 11" and Merriman took it to mean, "We'll take you at 11."

We just don't know.

 

[Idgit]

It's like saying the guy who bluffed you in the poker game lied to you. It's an understood part of the draft process that teams will try to misdirect other teams. He wouldn't be beefing if Cleveland had bluffed and he ended up slipping a spot to Miami.

It works in the players benefit, anyway, to have word get out that he'll go higher than earlier expected. Teams wouldn't do it at all if they didn't know the player agent would violate confidence and leak the news to get a bidding war going over their clients. Everyone lies to everyone, and nobody knows what's going to happen. That's what makes the NFL draft better than the NBA finals.

 

[blindzebra]

A naive and short-sighted comment but an understandable one. You usually don't associate such a circumstance to someone who seemingly wouldn't show it. But, it's the ultimate sign of character to be vocal about an organization/person that merely used you as a pawn to get other teams to do what you wanted them to.

Braylon Edwards was completely right to sound off about Miami as was Merriman to be vocal about Dallas. A team shouldn't make any kind of statement or comment that would lead a person to believe that they'd have a future there. Players often gear themselves to what a coach or a GM tells them to do. When an opportunity arises and that player isn't taken by a team that said they would, it's often disheartening and you get this.

This is as much Miami's fault as it is anyone's. Their apparent need for RB was irrelevant. If you're gonna make any kind of passing comment or firm commitment on someone, you should stick by it. It's a matter of honor.

This is the actual naive comment.

It's called posturing they are looking for more money from the teams that drafted them each one pick later.

Every team tells players that they'd like to draft them to help gauge their signability. It's all a game between the player, their agent, and the team. Any player actually surprised by this probably spent very little time attending class.

 

[Zaxor]

I am so tired of athletes right now. They are such P***ies. Seriously. What do they expect. This is the 3rd story today I heard about a player drafted in various sports who are all red-assed over being "lied" to. Teams tell at least 10 players every draft that they are "their man." God, get an education.

So if your boss said hey Calico If this project goes through you will get a raise and it goes through and the boss changes his mind your cool with that...

I think misleading and lying to people is a punishable offense and will probably win the lying sack of dung a warm spot in hell...

what is hard with telling a prospect look we are very interested in you but we have another prospect at this spot who we are also looking at be ready when it comes our time to pick we may just be calling your name

no lie is told...how you people can defend deceit is beyond me...do not allow others to cloud your ethics

 

[Zaxor]

This is the actual naive comment.

It's called posturing they are looking for more money from the teams that drafted them each one pick later.

Every team tells players that they'd like to draft them to help gauge their signability. It's all a game between the player, their agent, and the team. Any player actually surprised by this probably spent very little time attending class.

I am not sure if you can call someone defending forthrightfullness naive but I think the words hero or saint come to mind...

Ethics is it so hard to understand is the need to make a dime worth the loss of your ethics...Character counts those that would lie, cheat or steal to get ahead will earn there rightful place when judgement is passed

 

[blindzebra]

I am not sure if you can call someone defending forthrightfullness naive but I think the words hero or saint come to mind...

Ethics is it so hard to understand is the need to make a dime worth the loss of your ethics...Character counts those that would lie, cheat or steal to get ahead will earn there rightful place when judgement is passed

Just who is demonstrating ethics in all of this?

The teams who tell 4 or 5 players they are the one?

The players telling 4 or 5 teams I'd love to play for you?

The agents that tell the teams, no problem we want to play for you and we will work out a deal easily. Then attempt to use the teams higher up, that passed, as leverage against the teams that drafted their client?

 

[Zaxor]

Just who is demonstrating ethics in all of this?

The teams who tell 4 or 5 players they are the one?

The players telling 4 or 5 teams I'd love to play for you?

The agents that tell the teams, no problem we want to play for you and we will work out a deal easily. Then attempt to use the teams higher up, that passed, as leverage against the teams that drafted their client?

Again BZ it can be done with out lying...I could believe a player tells all 32 teams he would love to play for them and it would be the truth

But for a team to say for instance "we want you and only you at the # 2 spot" and then to not draft them is lying and misleading

It can all be done with integrity in fact it should be done that way

 

[blindzebra]

Again BZ it can be done with out lying...I could believe a player tells all 32 teams he would love to play for them and it would be the truth

But for a team to say for instance "we want you and only you at the # 2 spot" and then to not draft them is lying and misleading

It can all be done with integrity in fact it should be done that way

We'd all like to have that happen, but it is naive to expect it.

Call me a cynic, but I seriously doubt that any player that reaches the level of a first round pick...and went through the trappings of Pop Warner to college recruiting...would be shocked and actually hurt by any of this kind of stuff.

Edwards and Merriman are more mad about the difference in $$$ they will lose from dropping a spot than any "lies" teams might have told them.

 

[parcellsguys]

Why would he care what the Dolphins are doing? He's a Cleveland Brown.

This kid needs to shut up and play football. I love the part where he says "I was hurt but I moved on..." Does he think he has earned any repect in the NFL to the point where the Miami Dolphins have to worry about what Braylon Edwards thinks.

In my eyes he will be a Terrell Ownes type in a few years. Can you imagine him, AB and Winslow on the same team. Crennel is gonna need to buy a Duct Tape factory real soon.

I wouldn't feel the slightest bit sorry for this jerk off if he comes out and breaks something and misses the season. It would give him some humility, which is obviously not in his vocabulary. Your drafted #3 in the draft and your gonna be a gazillionaire when the Browns pay up, but you have the balls to call out another NFL franchise for there draft day savvy.

One word for this guy, idiot.