RENTON, Wash. -- Braylon Edwards is getting another shot to re-ignite his once promising NFL career after signing with Seattle on Tuesday and adding yet another option for the Seahawks' No. 2 receiver spot.
Edwards was on the practice field Tuesday morning, running routes, catching passes and trying to put an injury-filled 2011 season with San Francisco in his past.
"I like what they've got going on out here. Just walking and talking to these guys when I came on an interview last year it's a high-positive organization. There is a lot of positivity and you can see the energy these guys have. These guys are happy to come out here and play for coach Carroll and their position coaches and it seems like they have the thing moving in the right direction."
It wasn't that long ago the 29-year-old Edwards was among the top young receivers in the NFL. In 2007, Edwards was a rising star after catching 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns for Cleveland. But he eventually wore out his welcome in Cleveland and showed only flashes of his talent with the New York Jets while also running into trouble off the field. Edwards had 53 catches for 904 yards and seven touchdowns with the Jets in 2009. Last year, Edwards played in nine games for San Francisco, catching 15 passes for 181 yards and no touchdowns while battling injuries. He was released by the 49ers in December.
His signing in Seattle could just be an extended tryout. The Seahawks invited Edwards in for a tryout before the start of training camp, but instead decided to sign Antonio Bryant. Edwards went off to Miami to have a tryout for the Dolphins, but ended up back in Seattle after head coach Pete Carroll decided he needed more receivers in camp.
"Braylon worked out really well for us a week ago, and we had him in mind as a guy that could help us if we had a shot to get him in here," Carroll said. "He responded to it well. I know he is a very aggressive football player."
The receiver position is one of the few spots where the Seahawks have an ongoing competition in camp. Sidney Rice is coming off surgery on both of his shoulders during the off-season and will likely be held out of contact for most of the preseason. Finding Rice a complement on the other side of the field is Seattle's main objective after the decision to release Mike Williams earlier in July.
Edwards' frame is similar to Williams' and he was issued No. 17 as well. The Seahawks are trying to strike twice with reclamation projects after Williams went from bust to being included in the discussion for NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 when he caught 65 passes.
"Size and speed, that's one thing I bring to the table. That size ... but some speed to go with it," Edwards said. "Just a positive attitude and be out here and have fun with these guys and get better."
