Braylon Edwards is way ahead of schedule.  He was injured on December 4th against the Jacksonville Jaguars and had surgery to repair his knee on January 3rd.  The thought process was that it would take nine months of rehab before he could play….putting him returning October 22nd against the Broncos.  Edwards though is eyeing the September 10th opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Edwards has given the Browns and their fans a huge lift by accelerating the time table for his return.  Especially on the heels of the devastating news of LeCharles Bentley’s injury.  Last season Edwards played in 10 games (7 starts) and caught 32 passes for 512 yards (16.0 avg.) with 2 TD passes.  Both of the TDs were thrown by Charlie Frye, and the two seem to be on the same mind length both on and off the field.

Edwards return on September 10th would be huge to the offense this season.  With Jurevicius and Winslow on board, the passing game could have alot of juice this season.

The lastest to go in the Indians firesale is second-baseman Ronnie Belliard.  Belliard was hitting .291 this season, he scored 44 runs, hit 8 homers and drove in 44 runs, his OPS was .757.  Belliard rejuvenated a sagging career on arrival in Cleveland.  In 390 games with the Tribe, Belliard hit .285, scoring 192 runs, hitting 37 homers, and driving in 192 runs.  Belliard will be missed.

The Indians got Hector Luna back in the trade.  Luna can play second, third, shortstop and the outfield.  He was plucked three years ago from the Indians in the Rule Five Draft.  Luna stayed with the Cards that whole season and has been a productive bench player for them.  This season Luna was hitting .291, scored 27 runs, hit four homers and drove in 21 runs with a .772 OPS.  In Luna’s career to date, he has batted 533 times, scored 78 runs, hit 8 homers, drove in 61 runs and stole 21 bases.  Luna’s career average in .276 and his career OPS is .734.

Luna might get a chance to replace Belliard at second-base.

In one corner….Daylon McCutcheon who has been with the Browns since their re-birth in 1999.  McCutcheon has played in 103 games in his Browns career and has made 424 tackles with 7 sacks, 12 interceptions, 41 passes defensed and forced 9 fumbles.  McCutcheon has been a rock in the foundation of the defense since the Browns returned but he’ll be facing a stiff challenge from third-year corner Leigh Bodden for the starting job.

Bodden excelled after Gary Baxter was injured last season.  Baxter is back and will be the starting right corner of the defense leaving only the left job open.  Bodden was undrafted out of Duquesne and has made himself into a good football player.  He has played in 34 games and has 99 tackles with 4 interceptions, 16 passes defensed and has forced 3 fumbles.

The loser of the battle will wind up being the nickel back and will still get alot of playing time.

What a blow to the offense and the team as a whole.  Bob Hallen will take over as the starting center.

LeCharles Bentley injured his knee on the first play of 11 on 11 drills in minicamp today. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Bentley may have torn his patella tendon which would require surgery and cost him to miss the season.

This would be a devastating blow to the offensive line as Bob Hallen (formerly of Kent State) a journeyman type back-up lineman would be the new starter.