Braylon Edwards Returns To Practice

by David Fucillo on Dec 7, 2011 3:18 PM PST in 49ers Injury News

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards was back out on the practice field Wednesday a week after sitting out three practices and Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams. Edwards has been dealing with a knee issue much of the season and was looking to get it back closer to 100%. Edwards was reportedly running at full speed, but we'll wait and see if he is listed as limited or as a full participant in the injury report.

Edwards chatted with the media before practice and indicated he did not plan on missing any more games. He recognized the improved chemistry we've seen from Alex Smith with Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn Jr., but he believes he can fill a certain red zone role that the team could be missing to some extent:

Q: There have been problems in the red zone. Are you excited about being able to help in that area?

EDWARDS: I am excited. My knee feels better than it has. I'm excited to just get out there and practice and go hard. And whatever the teams wants me to do this week, we'll definitely get it done. In the red zone, I'm one of the bigger wide receivers so it's always a fun area, if you will. So we'll get that work done this week and hopefully we'll utilize on Sunday if we practice it the right way this week.

Q: Is that something you've always enjoyed - being a target in the red zone?

EDWARDS: It is. With taller receivers, you usually get touchdowns or pass interferences. So that's always good for the offense. If you get the touchdown, you get the six. Pass interference, you're looking at first-and-goal at the 1. So it's always fun to be down there. There usually is a high probability when you're dealing with the Calvin Johnsons and the Andre Johnsons - the bigger guys - that you make those plays.

I agree that his size is of tremendous value if he is able to fully utilize it. Whether it be fades or other jump balls in the end zone, Edwards is the biggest of the receivers. I think there are ways to get Edwards in the mix without messing with the chemistry developing with the other receivers. As long as players aren't complaining about touches, you can never have too many unique weapons.

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Edwards appears to be implying....look for him in Red Zone for T/D tries

If I was Crabtree, Williams, Ginn, Vernon, Walker….I may be a bit distrubed that Edwards thinks he should be the guy who gets the attention of Alex in the Red Zone as if because of his body size he is the best WR to attemp any T/D throws in the Red Zone.

I think the 9ers got to spread those Red Zone T/D throws around to keep ALL the WR happy and involved….it can’t only be Edwards who gets the look in the Red Zone.

Edwards should not EXPECT to be the ONLY Red Zone player to get a look by Alex…..and Edwards still has a ton of Proving he is great to his team mates, coaches, and us fans because to date I have not seen any special from him since he joined our team.

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 3:33 PM PST reply actions

red zone

He was asked specifically about the red zone, so he was responding in regards to the red zone. I think he recognizes his value in the red zone as a big receiver, and it is very true given the small amount of field involved.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 7, 2011 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

maybe he needs the TD's to help hit the clauses in his contract

either way don’t mess the chemistry up, let kyle williams,Crabs & Ginn play before him

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Dec 7, 2011 3:42 PM PST up reply actions

Big receivers are good in the red zone what's hard to understand about this?

VD, Jimmy Graham, Gates, Vincent Jackson, Plaxico Burress, Gronk, T.O., Megatron, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz…

Need I go on?

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 7, 2011 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

Well obviously the Niners are having problems in the red zone

so it isn’t like he’d be “messing” anything up lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Dec 7, 2011 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Uhmmm....they keep trying to ram Gore in instead of actully trying to throw

so in all honesty, Vernon-Walker-Crabtree-Williams-Ginn have not had many balls come there in the red zone, so NO receiver has had much opportunity to prove they can get T/D’s in the Red Zone as the 9ers insist on trying to run it in.

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

They've tried both running and passing

by sanfranfanmdk on Dec 7, 2011 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

majority of red zone attemps appear to be runs

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 4:28 PM PST up reply actions

Talk about taking something out of context

Where does he say he should get all the attention in the end zone? He’s just pointing out that it helps in the end zone if you’re a taller receiver, which is the absolute truth.

by c-three on Dec 7, 2011 5:27 PM PST up reply actions

Nah, it was a pretty innocuous quote

He was asked if he could help in the red zone, what’s he supposed to say “NO, I hate catching touchdowns.”

He never said he expected to be the only red zone player to get a look. Don’t know where you got that from.

by OkayJay81 on Dec 7, 2011 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

Red Zone

I think Alex seems to spread it around pretty well. I don’t think we’d fall into the trap of trying only to target one individual over others just because he’s big. I think the ball will go to the best look; or to Gore.

~In Heaven all the interesting people are missing~

by ~Yellow Fever~ on Dec 8, 2011 12:36 AM PST up reply actions

He got to full speed really fast after the great game Williams had.

Over

by cybermaldonado on Dec 7, 2011 3:55 PM PST reply actions

Of course. I find it funny, too. He's like "Damn! I better get my butt in gear" lol

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

Well I hope his knee and shoulder are better

So we can finally see if he can catch the ball.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Dec 7, 2011 4:14 PM PST reply actions

Yes, we won't know until he gets back out there.

I guess there’s the hope that he’ll be able to contribute in a big way. No more injuries.

Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh

by El Dorado on Dec 7, 2011 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

blaming your knees for not catching the ball is like blaming your ears for not seeing well.

And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
Magic number For bye week (4 for Saints 2 for Cowboys) For NFC West division title 0 (NFC WEST CHAMPIONS)

by manraj7 on Dec 7, 2011 11:51 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, that was the implied subtext.

by Ougadas on Dec 10, 2011 3:43 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed with this

I think there are ways to get Edwards in the mix without messing with the chemistry developing with the other receivers

I think there’s a niche for Braylon in this offense, because he’s a different kind of receiver than the other guys. I don’t think Braylon will compete for the roles that Williams and Crabs have (Kyle and Crabs seem to have a good groove going, the coaches aren’t going to mess with that), I think they’ll give him different things to do, based on his size and abilities. Hopefully the return of Edwards means the playbook is opened up a little more.

by El Dorado on Dec 7, 2011 4:14 PM PST reply actions

You can never have too many weapons.

And as David pointed out, he was specifically asked about the red zone. That’s what reporters do, ask questions that lead to a certain answer that they can use to try and stir up any drama they can. First they create a "problem’ ie: the Niners can’t score in the red zone, then they ask, "Can you “fix” it?" It’s not Braylon’s fault that he’s tried to play injured all season. And he can only improve the team. I don’t know where this perception comes that he’s intent on “messing things up”. I prefer to look for potential positive, not potential negative. I know the coaches focus on positive potential, so I’m not concerned, rather excited.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 7, 2011 4:35 PM PST reply actions

Just a case of bigMar looking for anything for him to point out that Braylon shouldn't be in the Niners future plans.

I could be wrong but that’s what his post sounded like to me.

Braylon was asked a question and he answered it. Yet bigMar took his answer as if Braylon said:

“THROW ME THE DAMN BALL ‘CAUSE I’M DA SHIZNIT AROUND THIS PLACE, SUCKA!”

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 4:39 PM PST up reply actions

Wow - he thinks he is a "mind reader" now....and a very bad one at that.

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 4:51 PM PST up reply actions

Well excuse me but that's what your post sounded like...

…If that’s not it at all, fine.

And I’m no mind reader ‘cause if I was, I wouldn’t be wasting my time posting on the 49ers Blog at this moment.

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 5:06 PM PST up reply actions

Braylon is our most complete possession receiver now that Morgan is injured

He is vital in the endzone… unfortunately Kyle Williams and Ginn won’t be nearly as effective in the redzone as they are when the whole field is there to stretch…..

Alex Smith 86%+ QB rating with 22+ TDs this season, hopefully! :)

by teekay on Dec 7, 2011 4:36 PM PST reply actions

Unfortunately, many Niner fans judge Edwards based on that one single thrown pass through his hands

…in the Endzone from Alex Smith(remember that play?).

And as a result, he’s Persona non Grata around here which is STUPID because you look at what he did LAST YEAR, you have to figure that while he’s not as good as he once thought he was…. He’s not as bad as many here think he is either.

The idea is for him to get more than 3-4 Targets PER F’N GAME!! * sigh *.

Anyway, now that we’ve clinched the Division, Let’s hope that Harbaugh takes it upon himself to finally get Braylon involved into the offense and develop some type of rhythm with Alex…finally.

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

I mean c'mon....Last year the guy had 900+ Yards receiving and you're all telling me that he's a Bust?

Get the hell out with that garbage!

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

it's because he's viewed as an all or nothing signing

I agree, everyone is treating him this year like Crabtree last year, but Edwards has already proven what he can be.

I hope he can be that with the 49ers, but if he can’t get it together then he shouldn’t be on the field. He’s the jump ball guy, Williams is the speedster, Crabtree is the posession receiver. Throw in Walker as an x factor and VD as a physical threat. It’s a good set of targets.

by whistlingmountain on Dec 7, 2011 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

Great points!!!!

by mrb24 on Dec 8, 2011 11:14 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Cmon mannnnn

CRAZY CRABTREES MORE COMPLETE THAN ANY RECIEVER WE HAVE. JUST CUZ HE AINT AS BIG AS EDWARDS MEANS NOTHING CRABS IS ARE WEAPON/SECURITY BLANKET WATCH OUT FOR HIM IN THE PLAYOFFS BOYS HES GONNA SET THE STAGE…..

by ninerpride on Dec 7, 2011 7:23 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I would have thought that Vernon & Delanie would have got more Red Zone looks

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 4:55 PM PST reply actions

One person I am disappointed with is VD. Where is he?

Used to be he was heavily involved in the offense and now it’s just like he’s simply…..there.

I guess Teams are stacking the deck with him and daring Smith to beat them with another Receiver….

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 5:07 PM PST up reply actions

basically, lots of double coverage and Alex is not forcing throws, for good or bad

by whistlingmountain on Dec 7, 2011 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

NOt only that but he has been kept back alot on blockign assignments to help protect alex..Which would you rather have- Creme ala smith or VD with huge yardage

Founder of team Omté Caspeen

by Widowwolf on Dec 7, 2011 5:36 PM PST up reply actions

In the red zone its easy to put 2-3 guys on him

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 7, 2011 9:55 PM PST up reply actions

He dropped a perfect ball in the end zone last week.

And also lost a fumble from carrying the ball carelessly. I seem to recall some other complaints about not going out of bounds to stop the clock, as well as going out of bounds rather than fight on another play. I also seem to recall another seam route recently that he dropped? Vernon’s head doesn’t seem to be enough in the game lately, from my perspective. Perhaps he is dealing with something none of us know anything about. Or maybe is out of rhythm from less opportunities.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 7, 2011 6:00 PM PST up reply actions

Will the people that say VD drops passes,

name me a reciver past (as far back as you want to go) or present that does not/have not droped balls.
I’m waiting…..Still here…….Cant think of any. You know why? Everybody drops balls. Yes, some more than others, but now matter if you are in the HOF Or just a third stringer….if you play WR or TE you will drop the ball!

"...NOBODY!!"

by L. J on Dec 7, 2011 6:49 PM PST up reply actions

he does have A LOT of drops though….makes up for it with great blocking however

by KGboomer on Dec 7, 2011 7:38 PM PST up reply actions

Jerry Rice

Never dropped one ball. Ever.

Looking to put San Fran*six-o* here some time soon!

by dartdart on Dec 7, 2011 8:23 PM PST up reply actions

Jerry dropped a lot of balls

When he was trying to get used to lefty Steve Young. Lefties are different. It’s not so much the spin, but the angle. The point of the ball comes in different. In ‘92, Rice concluded that he had better accommodate himself to Young or else. And from then on, every day during practice, he asked Ted Walsh, a left-handed assistant equipment manager, to hurl passes at him. Even with the ritual with Walsh, Rice dropped nine passes early that season, two of which became interceptions. His difficulties reached a crescendo in Dallas. Irvin had 12 catches for 168 yards and 1 touchdown; Rice had only 2 receptions until the final five minutes, and he implied it was Young’s fault. Rice later sought him out and said: “You won’t be hearing anything else negative from me. Just relax and play.” The rest is history.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 7, 2011 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

My post was more about Vernon not seeming to have his head in the game lately

Than it was about him dropping balls. I’m not criticizing him, just making an observation.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 7, 2011 8:58 PM PST up reply actions

Vernon's a great athlete but not a "natural" pass catcher...

He’s worked exceptionally hard to improve as a receiver… Wears the Juggs machine out from what I hear, etc… And he’s a DANGEROUS threat in the passing game.

All that being equal, VD doesn’t have the greatest hands and I’ve never seen a player who so often JUMPS and BELLY CATCHES a SHALLOW CROSS/UNDER/ETC when the ball HITS HIM RIGHT BETWEEN THE NUMBERS.

With no one within five or ten yards of him… Check the Giants game again. It’s comical.

-- I have many leather-bound books.
-- You show me a guy that can’t juggle 3 tennis balls within an hour and I’ll show you a guy that’s not going to be in the NFL very long.

by I'm Friends With Merlin Olsen on Dec 8, 2011 10:43 PM PST up reply actions

In the context of what we have compared to the league

Vernon Davis has been great.

In the context of what he is — compared to what he had the potential to be — he’s been a big disappointment.

by Ougadas on Dec 10, 2011 3:53 AM PST up reply actions

Why are you disappointed with VD

You do know that the OC,& the C calls the plays for us. The OC calls the play, the C hears it, gives his thumbs up then it goes to Alex. Where is VD in all that? You are blaming the wrong person.

"...NOBODY!!"

by L. J on Dec 7, 2011 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

You're probably right but I just wonder where he is on the field at times....

…Widowwolf pointed out where he was, though.

And quite frankly, I’d rather not have A-Smitty end up in the hospital, thank you very much.

by BrockRocks on Dec 7, 2011 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

Rank the Best Hands on the Team from this Season

IMO
1. Crabs
2. Delanie
3. Morgan
4. Williams
5. Hunter
6. Davis
7. Gore
8. Edwards
9. Ginn

Looking to put San Fran*six-o* here some time soon!

by dartdart on Dec 7, 2011 8:27 PM PST reply actions

Morgan, Williams, Delanie, Crabs/Ginn Ginn/Crabs, VD, Hunter, Edwards, Gore

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 7, 2011 9:58 PM PST up reply actions

Crabs and morgan have to be 1 and 2 imo

by KGboomer on Dec 7, 2011 10:18 PM PST up reply actions

Crabs has gotten hot lately

But that doesn’t change the fact that he spent the first half of the season playing volleyball.

by Ougadas on Dec 7, 2011 10:56 PM PST up reply actions

Correct

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2011 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

He still drops 1 a game

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2011 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

Booo!

Totally disagree.

-- I have many leather-bound books.
-- You show me a guy that can’t juggle 3 tennis balls within an hour and I’ll show you a guy that’s not going to be in the NFL very long.

by I'm Friends With Merlin Olsen on Dec 8, 2011 10:44 PM PST up reply actions

Crabs is getting better and better each week...

He gets better as he gets healthier and as Alex gets better.

Went DOWNTOWN for 6 last week…

You two will be WRONG about Crabs! I GUARANTEE it!!!

(maybe)

-- I have many leather-bound books.
-- You show me a guy that can’t juggle 3 tennis balls within an hour and I’ll show you a guy that’s not going to be in the NFL very long.

by I'm Friends With Merlin Olsen on Dec 8, 2011 10:47 PM PST up reply actions

I'ma have to go with

1. Morgan 2. Crabs 3.Walker 4. Williams 5. Davis 6. Edwards 7. Ginn. Those are just recievers though I would put Hunter and gore ahead of Edwards and lets not forget miller ahead of ginn.

by Zintzun22niner on Dec 7, 2011 11:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

I'd line Braylon in the slot.

With how the other recievers are playing right now I don’t think he should be starting for the sake of starting.

He is serviceable for this year but I hope next year we do replace him and go after other big WR prospects or some guys in the free agency. Good thing Harbaugh will probably make him try-out again to be on the team, at least I hope so.

"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they’re bigger than everybody else, and that’s what makes them the biggest guys on the field." ~ John Madden

by 49erfannm on Dec 7, 2011 10:22 PM PST reply actions

Sorry, I'm not a Edwards hater.

I just think that he hasn’t been fully there this season. Offseason trouble and signs a last ditch contract for a million bucks. Getting outplayed and dropping a few big passes. Hopefully he can’t get his groove going and be productive.

"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they’re bigger than everybody else, and that’s what makes them the biggest guys on the field." ~ John Madden

by 49erfannm on Dec 7, 2011 10:25 PM PST up reply actions

Fail.

hopefully he can*

"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they’re bigger than everybody else, and that’s what makes them the biggest guys on the field." ~ John Madden

by 49erfannm on Dec 7, 2011 10:25 PM PST up reply actions

Well , Harbaugh said it earlier this year ...

More is More …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 8, 2011 4:00 AM PST reply actions