After releasing 14 players earlier today, the New York Jets have added another name to the list. WR Braylon Edwards, who has had three stints with the Gang Green, was released as well. This move got the Jets to exactly 75 players, the limit every team must reach by tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET.
Many thought that Edwards was pretty much a lock to make the team, as his veteran leadership and experience would be useful to the Jets' thin wide receiver corps. The Jets, however, had other ideas. WR Santonio Holmes was removed from the PUP list over the weekend and the team feels he might be ready to play earlier than expected.
Holmes and WR Stephen Hill wil start, while WR Jeremy Kerley will line up in the slot. WR Clyde Gates seems to be a lock for #4, as he can also return kickoffs. So, the team probably felt that having Edwards and his 9-year veteran contract at #5 was too much of a luxury that they could not afford.
Edwards, a former first round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, made the Pro Bowl in 2007 when he scored 16 touchdowns. He also caught 53 passes for 904 yards, 7 TDs for the Jets in 2010. Since joining the 49ers as a free agent in 2011, Edwards has been plagued by injuries and never returned to the form he showed with the Gang Green in 2009-10.