Semi-OT: Braylon Edwards encouraged Brandan Kearney (bball) to sign with MSU over Michigan

Submitted by gebe659 on

His cousins are former Houston Oiler and Detroit Lion Stan Edwards, and former Wolverine and Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

...

Kearney says Edwards is always available for guidance, but the controversial Jet left the ultimate decision up to Kearney. Edwards even went as far as to suggest that MSU may be a better fit for Kearney, particularly with The Wolverine basketball program still reeling from the effects of past probation, scholarship losses and poor recruiting classes.

 

A little bit odd, to say the least.

Link to full article if you want to read it:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/college-hs/high-school/2010/11/best-ke…

Little Brown J…

November 19th, 2010 at 1:04 AM ^

Take an unbiased perspective of the situation...

How many people have gone to the NBA under Beilein? Now consider how many people Izzo has put into the NBA... Braylon is trying to help his cousin make the best life decision for him.  Nothing wrong with that, even though it would have been better to see him in Maize and Blue.  

hockeyguy9125

November 19th, 2010 at 6:37 AM ^

Just compare college success over the past 10 years...It would be hard to argue MSU is not a better choice for basketball. I don't like it, I would like to think if I was in that position I would go here...but all the final fours would definitely be hard to ignore if they gave me serious interest. I want our basketball program to become great again, but until we have legit success like we have before the Ed Martin debacle, these types of stories should not shock anybody.

blueheron

November 19th, 2010 at 7:14 AM ^

Izzo recruits better than the average Big Ten team for sure, but take a close look at his recruiting the last fifteen years and count the guys in the Top 25.  There haven't been nearly as many as you'd see at Duke/UNC/Kentucky, but he's still managed to make six Final Fours.  That he hasn't sent many stars to the NBA looks like a compliment to his coaching.

- - -

As for Braylon, he has obviously been all over the map with his "contributions," but I can't blame him too much here.  Even if the programs were comparable in the level of recent success, there might still be "fit" issues that made MSU a better choice.

gebe659

November 19th, 2010 at 8:38 AM ^

Jason Richardson, Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, Shannon Brown, and Zach Randolph (when he's not suspended or in jail) all have had or currently have pretty successful pro careers. Richardson is having a hell of a season.

The only real bust Izzo has had, in terms of a player that was supposed to be a great pro but wasn't, was Mateen Cleaves.

Also, Izzo doesn't really get the talent that UNC, Duke, Calipari (cheater), or Kansas get... he gets a lot of 4-stars, but Delvon Roe was his first 5-star since Shannon Brown. He has, however, been on a bit on a recruiting roll lately, getting blue chips Adreian Payne and Branden Dawson in back-to-back years. Those two look made for the NBA.

Blue In NC

November 19th, 2010 at 9:12 AM ^

Ahh, Kelvin Torbert would like to have a word with you.  

Izzo is a great coach and yes, in many cases he is doing more with less.  But it's pretty much a given that he is average at best (more likely subpar) at developing stars/NBA players.  Izzo has had tons of talent there and yet there are only a few examples of solid NBA players.  

If you are a 4 or 5 star, you may go to MSU if you want to experience success or make a tourney run but you do not do it to have Izzo develop you into an NBA player.

Blue In NC

November 19th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^

I am not sure of your point in reply to my post.  The MSU poster said Cleaves was the only supposed "bust" under Izzo and I used Torbert to refute that.  

If you are going to go with "hindsight" star rating then the ratings have no predictive value.  I have never claimed the star system is infallible but it certainly is shown to have some predictive value in both basketball and football.  Again, what is your point?

NOLA Wolverine

November 19th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^

My point is that Kelvin Torbert wasn't that great at Michigan State, so I don't know what you expected from him in the NBA or otherwise. Other than being Mr. Basketball, there's been no indicators that he has any elite ability, so that would be the only time for him to be a 'bust.' Again, my point is that he came in as a highly touted recruit, and proceeded to really do nothing special. The only way he's a bust is if you consider his talent relative to his star rating.

Blue In NC

November 19th, 2010 at 12:04 PM ^

Right, but the discussion (I thought) was mainly talking about recruits versus pro players.  Kearney was a recruit.  Torbert was a highly rated recruit that didn't sniff the pros.  

True, we can talk about players that starred at MSU versus fizzling out in the pros (i.e. a pro "bust" versus a college bust (ala Greg Oden).  I wouldn't call Cleaves a bust because while people thought he had pro potential, I think most only thought of him as a college star but a serviceable NBA player.  I didn't expect him to be an NBA All Star.  In that regard, I would even call Richardson a disappointment since he seems to have all-galaxy talent but has only been a decent to good NBA player (IMO).

bronxblue

November 19th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^

Wasn't Paul Davis supposed to be a stud?  He never seemed to work out.

MSU has sent some good players to the pros, but one-and-done guys like Randolph (and Richardson was only there for 2 years)  were the last big-time guys to make it in the NBA, and those guys joined the league in the early part of the decade.  Sure, this year's team has a couple of NBA-level players, but MSU is not a pro factory like other schools.  I don't blame a guy for directing a player there if he wants to win in college and compete for NCs (though I think with today's college basketball climate, I'm not sure MSU's style of play will let them compete against the top teams), but if the goal is the NBA I'm not sure if MSU is that much better an option that other schools.

gebe659

November 19th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^

Shannon Brown is the 6th/7th man (depending on the rival) in the Lakers' rotation, and many in LA are calling for him to start over Fisher, so he has a decent pro career going for him.

Also, how can you say MSU's style of play won't let them compete against the top teams? MSU is coming off of back-to-back Final Four and Big Ten Championship seasons. They are themselves a top team.

Rabbit21

November 19th, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^

Could not agree more.  It would be irresponsible for him to give anything but his honest, critical opinion. I very much approve of him doing that and not getting caught up in the rivalry.  While this may be because Braylon doesn't like Coach Rodriguez, I doubt it.

el segundo

November 19th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^

Izzo sends more guys to the NBA because he recruits more players with elite skills, not because he develops players better than Beilein does.

I'm not dogging Izzo.  He's a great coach.  He makes his players better.  But you can't say Beilein doesn't know how to develop his players for the NBA.  Guys with the athletic ability to play in the NBA don't pick schools like Richmond or West Virginia (never mind Canisus) very often.

Ben from SF

November 19th, 2010 at 1:07 AM ^

Braylon obviously disagreed with Joe Dumars, Tim Hardaway, Tito and Al Horford, and Big Dawg.  Perhaps Kearney needs to contact basketball people for advice.

Hard Gay

November 19th, 2010 at 1:14 AM ^

Can't blame a guy for being honest.  If I were a basketball player and had offers from basketball programs like MSU, I probably wouldn't go to UM, either.

aaamichfan

November 19th, 2010 at 1:20 AM ^

 I see you also posted the "UM winning out would send MSU to the Rose Bowl" thread a couple days ago....

Are you an MSU troll, or just a Michigan fan who is really obsessed with MSU?

gebe659

November 19th, 2010 at 1:33 AM ^

Neither. I've admitted I'm an MSU alum and fan. I don't really hate Michigan though (didn't grow up in this state, so I was never taught to love or hate either school/team), and I'm active on other Big Ten schools' forums.

I just thought it was odd that Braylon would do that. I don't think your basketball program is in as bad a spot as the article makes it seem... and I'd imagine an alum/former player would try to get his star basketball player cousin to play for his alma mater. I know I'd be a little bit upset and confused if a former MSU athlete encouraged a family member to play for UM (or any other team, for that matter) instead. I was disappointed that Mark Ingram Jr. didn't end up at MSU.

Sorry if my posts upset you for whatever reason, but I do believe I've kept it respectful and reasonable when it comes to MSU.

Mitch Cumstein

November 19th, 2010 at 8:27 AM ^

I know I'd be a little bit upset and confused if a former MSU athlete encouraged a family member to play for UM (or any other team, for that matter) instead

I think this is taking fandom a little too far. I think its good that Braylon is encouraging his cousin to make the best choice for his future, instead of just blindly forcing a decision onto him like you seem to be suggesting he do.

SysMark

November 19th, 2010 at 1:23 AM ^

Braylon Edwards is going down as the most annoying, self-serving alum in the history of UM sports.  Can we forget him for a while?  He needs to shut up, drop fewer passes, stop the idiotic, taunting celebrations, and stay off the streets of Manhattan with his SUV when he is drunk.

TMayBG20

November 19th, 2010 at 2:48 AM ^

Hey, no one is perfect.  True, he has made his mistakes.  But, at the same time he also has done a lot for the university and the city of Detroit.   It's not like he has been to prison or locked some girl in a bar restroom or directed a "cat" fight ring or beat up his gf or etc, etc, etc.  So, he likes to dance after he catches another 40 yard touchdown for the 1st place Jets.

Simmer down, Skipper!!!

Rasmus

November 19th, 2010 at 6:41 AM ^

Not quite sure how those are given in the NFL, but it's a sign of respect.

I'll also bet that Cleveland fans maybe don't think his altercation with the LeBron entourage is so sacrilegious anymore, nor is his saying things like this:

"LeBron isn't a Cleveland guy. LeBron only plays for the Cavaliers, and who knows if he even likes the Cavaliers?"

[The subject was James wearing a Yankee cap and schmoozing with the Dallas Cowboys before a Browns game.]

Hemlock Philosopher

November 19th, 2010 at 8:29 AM ^

I live and work in Cleveland (pity accepted).  When the Lebron/ Braylon crap went down last year everyone here bad mouthed Braylon.  As a Michigan grad, I stuck up for Braylon.  No one gave him a fair shot here - sure he dropped some passes, but he cared about this place until the citizens ran him out in favor of "The King".  Now they realize that James and his entourage are a bunch of self-serving dickheads and maybe, just maybe, Braylon was performing a public service by bitch-slapping LeBron's little cling-on friend. 

FrankMurphy

November 19th, 2010 at 1:43 AM ^

Eh... This would be a much bigger deal if Kearney was a football prospect. Also, given that we're not on the same level as State in basketball (as much as it pains me to admit that), I don't blame him.

Section 1

November 19th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^

is a matter of some doubt.  Thanks, solely, to things coming out of Braylon's own mouth.

And Braylon has gotten more from the University of Michigan, personally and as part of his father's general legacy, than any of us likely ever will.

Virtually every one of Braylon's problems and controversies, from the time he was a teenage underclassman at Michigan, have been self-induced.  Braylon is a major talent in need of major discipline.

LJ

November 19th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^

Perhaps you missed the times when he:

  • went from being a wasted talent in Lloyd's doghouse to working his ass off to earn the #1 jersey and nearly single-handedly get us to the Rose Bowl in 2004, as well as play a key role in our last win over OSU
  • stayed his full 4 years at UM and earned his degree
  • donated 1 million dollars to the University both for athletic and academic scholarships

Braylon received a lot from the University just like any other football player before him.  But he put his blood, sweat, and tears into becoming great and helping his team.  To say he is "dead" to you (as the poster I originally replied to did) is outrageous.  He's had personal problems; what does that have to do with U of M?  Even if he's dissatisfied with the direction the program is going, that doesn't diminish what he's given to the University, which is monumental.

Section 1

November 19th, 2010 at 12:43 PM ^

Yes, Braylon is talented.  I said so.  Yes, he thrilled us, and especially so against a certain land grant college in East Lansing.  And what I said is that Braylon appears to be in full-time need of strict discipline.  Of the sort that he seems to have gotten from Coach Lloyd Carr.

There are some other Braylon events you left out:

  • Needlessly taking his #1 jersey dispute public when a simple phone call would have sufficed;
  • Telling a Sunday Night Football audience in January that he went to "Lloyd Carr's University of Michigan";
  • Pled "No Conetst" to an assault charge;
  • Arrested for DUI in Manhattan, and had been earlier ticketed for driving 120 mph in a Cleveland suburb;
  • Declaring that Rich Rodriguez was "past the hot seat."
  • Sought a declaration of paternity regarding his ex-girlfriend's son, Braylon Jr., in Georgia in order to avoid higher support payments in the state of New York.

Jivas

November 19th, 2010 at 2:12 AM ^

That quote was second-hand - it's not a direct quote from Braylon.  We don't have any context for the full advice he provided; it may have been 99% positive about Michigan and the basketball program, with one devils-advocate "MSU may be a better fit' remark.

I've been very willing to criticize Braylon for all the things he's done the last few years that deserve criticism, but the above block-quoted information doesn't fit the bill.  NOT ENOUGH DATA SO I MAKE BIG.

Hoken's Heroes

November 19th, 2010 at 6:26 AM ^

Braylon should lose all of his MGOPOINTS because he dared to give the kid honest advice.

Right now, UM Basketball is a niche type of program that will only attract niche type players. As the saying goes, the rich get richer. UM bball is still in the poor house.