Never be controversial. Never disparage an opponent. Never say anything that would end up on a bulletin board.

Now, after 10 years as a player with the Eagles, Rams and Falcons and stints as head coach of the Jets and Chiefs, the former San Diego State standout defensive back is being paid to be controversial and speak his mind as a member of ESPN's NFL in-studio team.

"The network wants my opinion," said Edwards, who was hired by ESPN after he was let go by the Chiefs in January. "I'll never berate or belittle people.

"I try to look at situations through the eyes of a player and a coach, and I think people respect that. But when your employer wants opinions, there are times when what you say will rub people the wrong way."

Earlier this week on ESPN, Edwards took Chargers general manager A.J. Smith to task for criticizing his team's play in the newspapers as well as on TV and radio.

It's not that Edwards thought Smith was wrong in his evaluation of the Chargers. Edwards just thought Smith's opinions were better suited for a team setting, behind closed doors.

That's because Edwards still thinks like a team player and coach.

He lives in Kansas City and commutes every other week to the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn.

"And I'm really enjoying it," said Edwards, whose son, Marcus, played for Herman's old friend and former teammate Tom Craft at San Diego State. "There was interest from Fox and NBC, but two years ago ---- when I was still with the Chiefs ---- I did some work for ESPN, and I felt comfortable there.

"It was a good fit."

And while he's building a home on a nine-acre lot in his hometown of Carmel that will be ready in two years, Edwards hasn't ruled out coaching again.

"Oh, yeah. The itch is still there," he said. "I don't miss the long hours coaches put in, but I miss the camaraderie. I miss helping players on the field as well as becoming better men.

"I miss the competition.

"As a head coach ---- pretty much at any level ---- your life is inconvenient. If there is a problem, you need to fix it.

"The decisions you make aren't always popular, but to have to make the right decisions. You know those decisions are going to affect people's lives. But I always made the decisions that were best for the team.

"I was never selfish."

As an example, Edwards said he kept 20 rookies on the Chiefs last season because the team needed to be rebuilt.

"That decision affected me, but it was the right thing to do," said Edwards, whose Chiefs were 2-14 last season. "Honestly, we should have started the rebuilding process a year before we did.

"Hey, I played in Philadelphia and dealt with the media there. And I coached in New York, the toughest media town in the world.

"So I can take criticism."

The critics have been generally kind of Edwards' work on ESPN.

While he's not a polished, veteran talking head, he's relaxed and knowledgeable on the air.

"It's all about reps," Edwards said. "Just like a player, the more reps you have, the better you get, the more comfortable you get, the better you're able to handle situations.

"But I like working at ESPN. It's comfortable, and that fits my style. I'm used to answering questions, used to thinking on my feet, making quick decisions.

"In the NFL you have 30 seconds to make a decision. If you can't fix it in 30 seconds, you're in trouble.

"ESPN is a sports station, sports is always on, and I like that."

Edwards didn't say how long he'd like to work at ESPN or if he'd immediately jump back into the NFL if there was an offer.

But his daughters ---- Gabrielle and Vivian ---- are 4 and 3 years old. And he wants to be in his new California home in time for them to start school.

"After 30 years on the road, it's time to go home," he said.