By Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
July 30, 2006


Edwards Raw Practice 7-29-06
Braylon Edwards Returns to Practice
Braylon Edwards Press Conference 7-29-06


Just a few days after being placed on the training camp physically
unable to perform list, receiver Braylon Edwards passed his physical
Saturday evening and participated in practice for the first time in
more than eight months.

Sunday afternoon, he made his first appearance in pads.

And although Edwards is only back on a limited basis, participating
in individual drills and run-throughs, the boost caused by the 23-
year-old's presence could be felt by his teammates, coaches and by
the few thousand Browns fans who turned out to watch practice.

"It has been good," Browns running back Reuben Droughns said of
Edwards' return. "It gives you confidence that he's going to be out
there pretty soon - hopefully for the start of the season, but if
not, sometime during the season. It's good to see him out there
running with the team again."

It may have helped pick up a team and fanbase still getting over the
loss of a major contributor in Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, who
suffered a torn patellar tendon just two days before Edwards' return.

"You never want to lose anybody," Droughns said. "It was an
unfortunate thing that LeCharles went down, but the good fortune for
us is that we're getting Braylon back."

The fans seem to agree. Nearly every time Edwards caught a ball
during a drill or took a run across the field, he was greeted with
cheers.


Braylon Edwards


Photo By John H. Reid III


Browns head coach Romeo Crennel gave credit to team doctor Anthony
Miniaci, who performed Edwards' knee surgery, head trainer Marty
Lauzon, and Edwards himself for getting the 2005 No. 3 overall pick
back onto the field so quickly.

Crennel said, although Edwards hasn't been playing against a defense
thus far, nor has he participated in any contact drills, his progress
is impressive.

"He looks okay, but he has just been running routes against the air,"
Crennel said. "But he's a big, nice looking athlete and he's making
catches and making cuts and the knee seems to be holding up to this
point.

"But one of the things about an injury is, you have to be able to
take the hit and once we get to the point where he can take some hits
and still run good routes and look good, we'll feel better about
that."

Probably more symbolic than anything else, Edwards' return during
practice has given spectators a chance to finally see what it will
look like when he, Joe Jurevicius, Dennis Northcutt and Kellen
Winslow line up at the same time to venture into the secondary.

In addition to the countless weapons that lineup will provide Browns
quarterback Charlie Frye, having Edwards on the field with the rest
of the team's top receivers will make the entire offense more
productive.

"It's going to open up the defense a lot more," Droughns said.
They're not going to be able to concentrate on the run."






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