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Braylon Edwards, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, leads the NFL in dropped passes, according to a database that tracks NFL statistics. Fourteen players have two drops after two games, but Edwards tops them all with three drops.
Edwards did not dodge the issue during a locker room interview Thursday, nor did he make excuses. His drop with less than two minutes left in the opener ended any chance the Browns had to beat the Saints; the ball glanced off his hands and was intercepted by safety Josh Bullocks.
Two more passes were dropped in Cincinnati last week. Edwards did catch a deep pass from Charlie Frye on a play that covered 75 yards, but the catch did not atone for the bobbles.
"I've been trying to make plays before I have the ball," Edwards said. "I see a little opening and I'm so excited to go in a forward direction that I'm not doing the easy things. Steps 1, 2, 3 - catch the ball, tuck it in and take off. That's what I've been working on this week."
Sunday Edwards and the rest of the Browns will be tested by the top-ranked defense in the NFL when they host Baltimore in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Ravens did not allow a touchdown in either of the first two games.
Every missed opportunity will be magnified. A game plan highlighting passing might be less dangerous than sticking to the ground because Reuben Droughns has a shoulder injury that prevents him from practicing. Plus, the Ravens allow an average of 1.7 yards a carry.
There were games last year in which Edwards dropped passes, too. Then he turned two catches into touchdowns in the game against the Jaguars Dec. 4.
That game was more notable for two other reasons; it was Frye's first start, and it was the game in which Edwards' right ACL was torn when he landed awkwardly while trying to catch a deep pass.
Edwards' rehab from knee surgery was completed ahead of schedule. Originally, the Browns targeted Oct. 1 for his return. He made it back for the preseason game against the Bills Aug. 26. He is as fast as ever, cuts sharply and still jumps like he has springs in his shoes. But those drops dog him.
"The main thing for me is to relax," Edwards said. "I'm happy to be back out there with Charlie and Kellen. For me, it's being eager and over-anxious right now. I have to calm down and let the game come to me."
Sometimes quarterbacks think twice about throwing to a receiver who drops passes. Frye is not like that with Edwards. He proved it in Cincinnati on the 75-yard play that set up a touchdown to cut the Bengals' lead to 20-10 with enough time left to win.
Joe Jurevicius is listed as doubtful on the injury report, but he practiced the last two days. Frye will have another weapon if Jurevicius plays, but Edwards is a starter, and Frye will continue looking for him.
"Braylon dropped a couple balls, but I told him, 'I'm going to keep coming to you,
bro,' " Frye said. "I came to him on the go route and he was able to respond and catch that ball. That's a positive thing."
Edwards said Frye probably will not have time to throw deep Sunday. The Ravens have nine sacks. Edwards said the Browns will try to counter the rush with quick three-step drops.
