Braylon's big year

Vinnie Iyer

Much of the recent NFL news has been about players misbehaving off the field. But how about some love for those players who go above and beyond? Browns receiver Braylon Edwards has set up 100 scholarships worth $10,000 each for deserving young men and women.

That certainly makes we want to wish for great things for Edwards on the field. He is about to enter his third season, a historically magical one in which the game's most talented wide receivers tend to put it all together. I think his play will be as impressive as his giving back to the community.

With only seven starts as a rookie, he caught 32 passes for 512 yards and 3 TDs. The starts (15), receptions (61) and TDs (6) were all about doubled in his second season, when he posted 884 yards for one of the league's most anemic offenses.

I really felt Edwards came into his own as the next great big-time NFL wide receiver in November and December, where he had a stretch of five scores in seven games. He also seemed to have a great route-running rapport with one quarterback in particular: Derek Anderson.

With Brady Quinn now a Brown, it's unlikely that Edwards gets much chance to work with Anderson again, but I don't think it matters too much who's throwing to Edwards. Defenses will first need to pay attention to power back Jamal Lewis and Cleveland's improved run blocking line. After that, they'll need to find their best athlete at linebacker and safety to try to contain tight end Kellen Winslow on intermediate routes. That will help Edwards consistently get deep against favorable coverage. And whether it's Quinn, Anderson or Charlie Frye, the Browns' quarterback will need to air it out. In a division with the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers, Cleveland will trail often in the second half.

Physically and athletically, Edwards is a tough matchup for corners at 6-3, 212. So if the guy in the pocket needs to duck and chuck it, Edwards can go get it.

When looking back at the other the wide receivers selected in the first round of the 2005 draft, the Browns were right to make him the first one chosen, third overall. Troy Williamson, Mike Williams and Roddy White all look like big busts. Matt Jones and Mark Clayton have shown flashes of brilliance, but neither receiver is as complete a package as Edwards.

Although Edwards will be drafted as a No. 2 or No. 3 fantasy wide receiver, he has a great chance to deliver like a No. 1. He's worth jumping on earlier than his perceived value to make sure you get him. If healthy, expect something like 80 receptions, 1,200 yards and 8 TDs to be his final stats.

Sometimes, you have to put up with jerks to put up big wide receiver points for your fantasy team. Here's one receiver you can root for in more ways than one.