GETTING TRADED INCLUDES EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE, TOO

Earlier this week, Herman Edwards was traded from the New York Jets to the Kansas City Chiefs as the new head coach, replacing Dick Vermeil who retired after five seasons. During his introductory news conference, Edwards was very complimentary about his former career with the Jets.

"I owe a debt of gratitude to [owner] Woody Johnson. He gave a young coach a chance to be a head coach when maybe a lot of people wouldn't do that. I thank him for that, and I thank the organization for that. And I thank my players my last five years in New York for making me a better man. I hope I made a difference, and I hope I make a difference here."

But Edwards refused to discuss why he departed The Big Apple.

"What happened in New York stays in New York. So if you ask any questions about what happened, I'll tell you right now, it stays in the family."

Solely through the announcement and coverage of the trade, the public knew Edwards was exchanged for a future fourth-round draft pick. But Edwards' private manner led the public to believe that he wanted to catch a one-way flight out west because he was frustrated coaching the Jets. He endured a 39-41 five-year record (4-12 this season) and recurring injuries to his two star players - quarterback Chad Pennington and running back Curtis Martin. On the flip side, Edwards' new team, the Chiefs, are an organization on the rise (finished 10-6), thanks in large part to a breakout season by halfback Larry Johnson who was third in the league in rushing with 1,750 yards.

Although Edwards gave praise to his previous owner and players, his secretive point-of-view symbolizes the lack of information the public knows about the trials and tribulations of trades in professional sports. It's more than the reactions from players and coaches on representing a new logo. Those quotes can be easily accessed through a press conference recap.

There just isn't enough behind-the-scenes reporting on this significant type of sports business transaction. How do players and coaches prepare to move? How do they adjust to living in a new city? What is the process like of fitting in with a new team? How are their families and friends affected by the whole ordeal?

Furthermore, there should be detailed issues raised on trading technicalities. How are trade talks initiated and finalized between teams? Besides player value, what other factors contribute to a deal? What are the hot topics and future trends in the trading business?

It's important to realize that players and coaches may be multi-millionaires, but it's the team's management - with some making less money incidentally - which can treat them like indentured slaves. They can feel cheated and abused suddenly and constantly, so getting traded includes emotional baggage, too. Some players, such as Eddie Jones of the Memphis Grizzlies, have received word they were traded while on vacation. Others, such as Jim Jackson of the Phoenix Suns, have suited up for more than 10 teams.

As Edwards demonstrated by his restrained comments, some players and coaches may remain hush-hush when they're traded because it can be a difficult and irritating transition. It's one of the ultimate cold sores in professional sports because deals are sometimes unpredicted and completed behind closed doors, so it can be a touchy subject. But it's worth investigating further.