Braylon Edwards Accused of Assault, Being Jealous of LeBron James

The downward spiral of wide receiver Braylon Edwards' career in Cleveland continues, both on and off the field. Edwards had no receptions in the Browns' overtime loss to Cincinnati -- the first time he'd been held without a catch in his five-year NFL career. And then, several hours after the game ended, Edwards was reportedly involved in an incident at a Cleveland nightclub that could result in the former University of Michigan star being charged with assault.

According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, 28-year-old Edward Givens is claiming that Edwards punched him during an argument early Monday morning. Givens said he went to the hospital after suffering a black eye, cut and a lingering headache.

The Plain-Dealer cites multiple sources as corroborating that Edwards was the man who hit Givens.

Givens works as a promoter at a marketing firm that hosts parties at View nightclub, where the alleged incident took place.

"After the club closed, I was outside greeting and saying goodbye to people. Braylon comes up and started saying things, degrading me," Givens told the Plain-Dealer. "He said if it wasn't for LeBron [James] or the Four Horsemen, I wouldn't have what I have, nor would I be able to get girls. Everyone knows Braylon has a problem with LeBron. So I had to speak up for myself. The conversation started to escalate. As some of his teammates started to pull him back, he punched me. I have a black eye and a cut. I'm not a violent guy.

"As long as I've known Braylon, I've allowed him and his friends to come into our events free of charge. Whatever jealousy he has with LeBron, he felt he needed to take it out on me."

Not sure why there would be any lingering bad blood between Edwards and James, but if it runs deep enough to make Edwards punch someone else for associating with the Cavaliers' king, it must be pretty severe.

"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 to the Associated Press. "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."
Regardless, this was just another step toward the door out of Cleveland for Edwards.

After a spectacular college career, Edwards finally appeared to be living up to his billing in 2007, when he caught 80 balls for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. But he has just 12 touchdowns combined in his four other NFL seasons -- including a goose egg this year that goes along with a mere 10 receptions through Week 4.

Edwards developed some extreme problems hauling in passes last year, an epidemic that became such a huge issue that he was rumored to be on the trading block this offseason as Cleveland's patience with him waned.

He's yet to rediscover his superstar potential in 2009, so add in a possible criminal charge and the Browns might find themselves more willing than ever to rid themselves of Edwards.