BRAYLON EDWARDS FROM THE JETS PUNCHES A CLUB PROMOTER OVER LEBRON JAMES!

That risk the Jets called "manageable" when they signed Braylon Edwards became more tangible yesterday.
The lightning rod wide receiver was charged with misdemeanor assault in Cleveland Municipal Court in connection with an incident outside a downtown nightclub days before the Jets acquired him in a trade with the Browns.

The Jets issued a statement that seemed not to indicate much concern. "The team was aware of these allegations prior to acquiring Braylon from Cleveland. He has been cooperative with authorities and we will allow the legal process to run its course," the statement read.

Edwards faces a sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, if convicted, with a hearing scheduled for Nov. 17 in Cleveland. He is accused of punching entertainment promoter Edward Givens outside the View Ultralounge and Nightclub at about 2:30 a.m., the morning after a Browns loss to the Bengals.

Givens, 28, a friend of LeBron James, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Edwards approached him and began to "degrade" him because of what he called petty jealousy of James. He said he suffered a black eye and was treated at a hospital.

James took a dim view of the incident when reporters quizzed him following a Cavs practice that week.

"I've never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems like there's a little jealousy going on with Braylon and me and my friends. I have no idea why," James said. "I've never said anything to Braylon at all. But for him to do that is very childish. My friend is 130 pounds. Seriously, it's like hitting one of my kids. It doesn't make sense."

The incident could have been the final straw in the Browns parting ways with Edwards, who has had a history of misbehaving.

Edwards would not address the assault allegations during his welcoming press conference with the Jets, while Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said the team conducted a background check and had been in touch with law enforcement and league security. He acknowledged Edwards had had "issues" in Cleveland but said the "risk was manageable."

Edwards could be suspended under the player conduct clause but it would probably not occur until next season since the league gives each case a thorough review. For instance, Giants linebacker Michael Boley was just suspended for four games this season from a domestic violence charge filed last year.