Brandon Marshall: What does he bring to New York Jets?

Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Buffalo won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Marshall is a Jet! The trade came early and rather cheaply for a player with his credentials. New York Jets’ general manager Mike Maccagnan acquired Marhsall via a trade with the Chicago Bears for the veteran receiver.

The cost to the Jets was a 5th round pick for Marshall and the Bears 7th round pick. It looks like quite the deal on paper, but what do the Jets really get in this deal? Today let’s take a closer look at the new Jet receiver.

Marshall is entering his 1oth season in the NFL. He’s been productive everywhere he’s landed, but the veteran has bounced around in recent years. The potential is still there for Marshall, but at 31 years of age, he’ll have to prove his worth.

Next: Marshall In Denver

Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi

Marshall In Denver

Marshall came into the league as a 4th round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2006 NFL Draft. Marshall’s rookie campaign was slowed early on, due to a minor injury, but despite the setback, he made a reputation for himself as an exciting player to watch.

Marshall played four season’s for the Broncos, posting totals of 327 receptions for 4,019 yards and 25 touchdowns. His years in Denver set him aside as one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers.

His days in Denver weren’t exactly without concerns however. Injury issues began to show themselves, though minor, they were the beginning of some later concerns. Off the field issues were also apparent when Marshall was suspended for drunken driving and domestic violence issues.

The suspension was for three games in 2008, but on appeal the suspension was reduced to a single game. Injuries and antics have given Marshalll a tag that has followed him through his career.

Next: Marshall In Miami

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) reacts during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall In Miami

Marshall was traded to the Miami Dolpins in 2010 in return for two second round picks, one in 2010 and the other in the following year. Marshall’s tenure was short lived in Miami, but it was productive.

In two years with the Dolphins, Marshall posted two one thousand yard receiving years. His elusiveness in the open field made up for lack luster quarterback play. Marshall totaled 2,228 yards on just 167 receptions for 9 touchdowns.

In 2011 Marshall set a record in the Pro Bowl as a Dolphin. On that day he put up record numbers; 6 receptions for 176 yards and four touchdowns! His elusiveness in the open field and his ability to consistently get open, won him the Pro Bowl MVP Award for 2011.

Next: Marshall In Chicago

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall In Chicago

Marshall landed in Chicago after two very successful campaigns with the Miami Dolphins. Marshall was once again traded for draft picks, with the Dolphins reeling in a third round pick in 2012 and another in the 2013 NFL Draft. As in Miami and Denver before that, Marshall continued to deliver on the field.

His career with the Bears was a successful one, but it was marred by some locker room antics and as injuries began to mount. Marshall had minor hip surgery in 2012 and the hip also became an issue again in 2014. Regardless, Marshall posted two more one thousand yard, 100 reception seasons for the Bears.

Last year he was slowed by the hip injury once again and also incurred a couple of broken ribs and a collapsed lung while being tackled. Marshall was forced to end his season on injured reserve, and failed to post a 1000 yd season for the first time since his rookie season! His final totals for 2014 were for 721 yards on 61 receptions while still posting 8 touchdowns.

Next: Enter The Jets

Enter The Jets

The Jets traded a 5th round pick to the Bears for Brandon Marshall and a seventh round pick. Marshall comes with concerns, but he also possesses a huge amount of talent. What exactly did the Jets get is yet to be seen.

Marshall is an aging veteran, a wide receiver struggling with hip and leg problems and a player of questionable character off the field. He’s elusive in the open field and is capable of racking up significant yardage after the catch.

We know he has had a brilliant career on the field, his brilliant catches, and elusive nature has made him one of the most productive wide receivers in the league. The question is what’s left in the tank.

The Jets signed Marshall at the right price and for the right duration. His signing can be viewed as a low risk high reward type signing. If he proves healthy, the Jets may have gotten a steal, if not they can easily walk away after the season.

Many are making Marshall out to be a sure fire starter and big time contributor to this year’s Jets. While that may become a reality, I’d warn fans about being too optimistic here. Marshall is now 31 yrs old and coming off a series of injuries that ended his season for him last year. Marshall will need watching going ahead.

If the Jets get the Marshall of old, the Jets offense will have taken a significant step forward, if not they will need to find production elsewhere. I’m hoping for the big name 100 reception type receiver, can Marshall ultimately deliver like that once again?

Time will tell. OTA’s have begun and camp is just around the corner. Can Marshall step up and return to form? Can he accomplish another 1oo reception/1,000 yard season for the Jets? Does he still have the capability of posting a 10+ touchdown campaign? Leave your comments below so we can talk about some Jets football!

Next: Coffee with the New York Jets: 5/20/15

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