Where does Brandon Marshall play next season.

by Broncoman on Jun 17, 2009 2:31 PM MDT Comment 44 comments

OK, so lets say it’s a foregone conclusion that Brandon is out the door, where are the likely landing spots? I doubt that we would trade him in division, although I am guessing Al Davis has been furiously trying to use the telegraph to contact the Broncos to inquire about Marshall. Many have said maybe Baltimore or Cleveland, again, I think that the Broncos would likely want him out of conference if possible. I also have my doubts of McDaniels willingness to deal with Mangini since there is a feud between Mangini and McDaniels old boss. So that leaves us with some interesting NFC teams (IMO).

1.) NY Giants, the giants struggled somewhat last year when Plaxico Burress was out of the lineup. Having a big physical WR like Brandon Marshall would be what the doctor ordered for the Giants offense and would help Manning comfort zone. Now the question of what would they give up, the Giants seemed reluctant to chase either Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin this off-season since both teams wanted a first round draft pick. The Giants run a 4-3 defense and don’t have many players on the team that would be considered good fits for a 3-4 defense, they do have one of our former WR who seems to be developing in Hixon who may be available with a lower tiered draft pick. I would also have said maybe one of their RBs, but we seem to be well stocked now in that category.

2.) Philadelphia, the Eagles have struggled to find a consistent, big WR for McNabb ever since TO left town. The Eagles just resigned McNabb to a healthy extension with the hopes of making one more run. A player like BM would fit well into what they like to do, and take pressure off Westbrook to carry the offensive load. Again, Philly runs a 4-3 and doesn’t have too many guys that would translate into a 3-4. They do have a big possession WR in Hank Basket who has some ability but definitely is not at BM level. I would guess it would be draft picks.

3.) Chicago, obviously reuniting the dynamic duo in Chi-town may not be what the Broncos faithful would have in mind. But Chicago obviously would like some weapons to go with their new QB, the two obviously have a connection and I am sure both would be thrilled if BM ended up a Bear. And I think Chicago would elect Pat Bowlen their Mayor if that happened. Again they run a 4-3 defense and there are limited appeal in someone like Lance Briggs who may be a good ILB, but would have limited upside beyond the next two years and would cost a tremendous amount. Devin Hester and a pick may be a better scenario with Hester becoming a full time KR in Denver, instantly upgrading the return units.

4.) San Francisco, the 49ers have struggled to find a number one WR since TO left. The free agent signings have been stop gaps. They run a 3-4, but they may move to a 4-3 under Mike Singletary, whoever, many of their current defensive players, with the exception of Patrick Willis and Nate Clement are not what I would call upgrades over what we have. Manny Lawson may be available, but I see him being the same player as Jarvis Moss. In addition, after drafting Michael Crabtree, they may not want another number 1 WR.

5.) Minnesota, this team probably needs a better QB over an upgrade at WR, but Marshall would provide an upgrade and formable 1-2 punch at WR being teamed with Berian. This team also runs a 4-3,, howvere they do have some DT in Pat Williams who would translate well into a NT, whoever, I doubt the Vikings would give up Williams for Marshall. Again, this would likely involve draft picks.

6.) Arizona, this has been brought up in a swap for Boldin. I doubt at this point that Arizona would be willing to trade for BM straight up for Boldin due to the risks involved on their part. This may involve the Broncos throwing in some compensatory picks based on how BM performs in order to hedge the Cardinals risks.

Poll

Where does Brandon Marshall play next year?

NY Giants

6 votes

Eagles

3 votes

Bears

4 votes

Vikings

2 votes

Cardinals

4 votes

49ers

0 votes

Broncos

71 votes

Somewhere else

20 votes

110 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

2 recs | Comment 44 comments

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Comments

Hey BM...and not directed at you. This is a good post....

But you need another option:
WHO FRICKIN’ CARES???
I am so over him and the situation I dont give a frogs fat ass.
If I ran the Broncos (and I am a bit of a hard arse) I would sit him all year……McD and the Broncos need to lay the hammer on this!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Jun 17, 2009 2:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think alot like you do boydy,

and I would tell Marshall to shut and fulfill your obligation, but would you trade him straight up for Julius Peppers? Nah…

by bfree2bronc on Jun 17, 2009 7:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am thinking Baltimore still… we’ll see.

Tis better not to throw it to the deep receiver but the open receiver.

by Kfustud on Jun 17, 2009 2:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Right

To me, this seems like the biggest win-win scenario (outside of just keeping him in Denver). Ngata for Marshall, straight up, makes sense. I would call WR their biggest need, DL the Broncos biggest need. They’re the same age, both pro bowlers. Marshall’s off-field struggles may mean that we’d have to throw in a mid/late round pick, but that’s okay with me. I like the teams WR depth and I worry about Marshall as a long term guy.

Another consideration is the economy – what’s the cost/benefit for paying $10 mil to a great wide receiver, when you could pay less that half that for a good one? Will Bowlen be willing to pay any WR that kind of money?

by Eyecore13 on Jun 17, 2009 3:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that the premise of your post was to assume that BMarsh is gone, but I don’t think he will be. There is no reason for the Broncos to trade him unless they get a ridiculous offer for him, which I don’t think will happen. As our favorite writer at our favorite network points out, “The Broncos hold ALL the cards” (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-2350/Why-Denver-shouldn-t-trade-Marshall.html). It would be absolutely absurd for the Broncos to trade him for less than he’s worth (1st and 3rd and minimum) and it would be even more absurd for BMarsh to not play his best in a contract season if the Broncos refuse to trade him. All that being said, I was fairly confident that Cutler wasn’t going to be trade too…so?

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 2:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

True, but the same arguement was made before Jay was dealt

Denver held all the cards, they could force him to play, etc…, but I have a feeling that he will be dealt based on the past events and that I think if Bowlen says he will try to accomodate him and thinks it is best they part ways, then that will likely mean a trade.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Jun 17, 2009 2:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t only Marshall’s agent that says Bowlen said he’d try to trade Marshall? All I’ve heard definitively from the Broncos side is that they will ‘keep the dialogue open’ and they ‘expect Marshall to report in July’. Just like the Cutler situation, who knows what was really said?

Even if Bowlen did say something to that effect, he may have been suggesting that he’d listen to offers but wouldn’t necessarily pull the trigger.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this has been posted already and perhaps you've seen it too but...

it seems Marshall is under the impression that they are going to make it happen.

“It’s hard leaving an organization ran by one of the best owners in all of sports, and someone who’s been there for me through my ups and downs. The hardest thing was hearing Mr. B wish me luck in the future, but we both came to the conclusion that this is probably the best thing for me to grow on and off the field.”

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Denverjhawk on Jun 17, 2009 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did see that. It’s still coming from the Marshall camp though, so until I hear something similar from the Broncos FO I’m assuming that what was said is matter of interpretation. It could have just been a ‘good luck in the future…whatever happens’ type of statement. I don’t know….whatever happens I just about don’t even care anymore. I have anger-fatigue.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 3:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess when I read stuff like that I assume it’s the agent telling the player what to say/do so I don’t lend much credibility to it. It definitely strikes me as something that Marshall probably didn’t write…although efforts were made to make it sound like he did. Either way, I think it was definitely a political move.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 3:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

sure...

but again it seems like we’ve been down this road before with much of this being said about a prior agent and player, yet Cutler still ended up in another uniform.

If it’s political then it’s Marshall/Agent thinking they can follow the template put forth by Cutler of making assumptive statements and declaring yourself all but gone until the organization finally pulls the trigger.

Regardless of how this plays out, I sure hope this can be looked back upon as the craziest offseason ever and future ones don’t entail this much drama…although it makes for good fodder for discussion

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Denverjhawk on Jun 17, 2009 3:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I’d rather be talking about the weather. ;-)

I think the parallels to the Cutler situation make in all the more imperative that the Broncos ‘stick to their guns’. They need to show that the Cutler deal was a unique situation and not a blueprint for forcing your way off the team. Otherwise, they might not see an end to this.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 3:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed…teams have the power in these scenarios and I don’t think you want to gain the reputation for being one that can be bullied into things…

getting back to the weather though, how about these tornadoes

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Denverjhawk on Jun 17, 2009 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol…We’re in another tornado watch until 10pm tonight. I think that is a tornado watch or warning every day for about two weeks now.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s because Kathy Saban and Marty Conniglio have no balls and are scared not to issue a warning

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Denverjhawk on Jun 17, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well…I hope Kathy doesn’t have balls. But this one in Elbert from Monday looks pretty real.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jun 17, 2009 3:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

it’s a lot easier to bench a WR than your starting QB

and the QB could potentially change the calls at the line, etc. Cutler and Marshall are two completely different scenarios, IMO

by lolcopter on Jun 17, 2009 2:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL. I'll betcha the Broncos telegraph machine is being screened.

Or in a closet. One of the two.

Sorry, those were my first thoughts without even reading the rest of the post. :)

We don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks. - Calvin

by solace on Jun 17, 2009 2:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I laughed at that too

…Al’s pigeons must have died….

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 17, 2009 4:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Giants are a definite possibility...

They drafted two WRs in the first three rounds. We could receive Nicks or Barden ~~-depending on whom Xanders and McD think has the most upside~~-and a 2nd or third rounder…

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Jun 17, 2009 2:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if the Giants would do this,

considering they chose to draft Nicks rather than trade for Boldin or Edwards before the draft.

by jaffe28 on Jun 17, 2009 3:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marshall might come cheap

I think Marshall to the giants is kind of scary. Don’t forget they nabbed up Hixon off our practice squad, so they definitely have an eye on SHanny’s WRs….

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 17, 2009 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I started to address this issue

with my post “What Would You Do” a couple days ago. In your scenario, I could see the Giants or Ravens interested. If we could get picks and go after Boldin I would be elated. Even if we had to add a 2nd or 3rd rounder plus the 1st we would be required to get for BMarsh.

With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg

by KaptainKirk on Jun 17, 2009 2:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

hopefully the Rams

by lolcopter on Jun 17, 2009 2:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Send him to the raiders

They are the team most liable to give us a kings ransom.

by Jeeeeens on Jun 17, 2009 2:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You’ve got a good point Jeeeeens. Plus He would fit right in with their mentality.

With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg

by KaptainKirk on Jun 17, 2009 2:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if he is THAT bad...

same boat as Walker? Hall? Maybe lelie, a little, but Brandon actually produced….

I don’t know, maybe he is raider material, but I just can’t picture him in S&B….

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 17, 2009 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

An elite returner,

like Hester or Cribbs, would have me very interested, personally.

Holding the line with Marshall also sounds good to me. I wouldn’t want to see the Broncos put themselves in a long-term competitive disadvantage by setting the precedent that they can be pushed around by good players who want more/out.

by NedBronco on Jun 17, 2009 3:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Cribbs

is the only name I have heard yet that made me lean forward a bit. VERY intriguing, as a tit for tat trade. And we know that Braylon and Brandon are BFFs so that could be a deal that made EVERYONE happy!

It has been my favorite “ideal deal” that I have heard so far. (that seems slightly realistic).

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 17, 2009 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really bad precedent

If they trade him then it is clear that the players are running the team, not the coach or GM or owner. They let it happen once but to let it happen again a couple of months later to another star player would set a terrible precedent and create a stupidly easy blueprint to follow to get out of Denver. I don’t care if they sit him the whole year, just don’t trade him!

by bonaire on Jun 17, 2009 3:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

But isn't the idea..

that we want players who want to be here and are professional enough to resolve their pay issues the right way (see CW). I mean I undesrstand the whole idea of precedent but from another perspective it would seem that getting rid of the people who don’t want to be here enhances the odds that others will want to be here.

"as in football so in life"

by asinsoin on Jun 17, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Denver is doing the dictating this time.

It could be that Denver isn’t wild about Marshall. I know it doesn’t fit the McDaniels-gone-wild formula, but it is possible considering the ledge that Marshall sits on injury and off field wise. I mean think about it— you’ve got a guy that gets arrested AGAIN after being suspended, who’s always saying he’d be a lot better if he was ever healthy, and then he rips team doctors, and by extension that owner he so admires, on his website. He’s changing systems. He has now has a coach that demands more discipline, preperation and who eschews the idea of Superstar all together.

Intangibles wise, it doesn’t exactly look like a match made in heaven.

I am an idiot walking a tightrope of fortune and fame
I am an acrobat swinging trapezes through circles of flame
If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame
and though I'll never forget your face,
sometimes i can't remember my name.
--Counting Crows, "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby"

by PredominantlyOrange on Jun 17, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I left out my primary point, which was...

…maybe Pat Bowlen and the Denver Broncos are just tired of Brandon Marshall. God knows he’s worn them out.

by PredominantlyOrange on Jun 17, 2009 3:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd call Washington first

It seems like the Redskins can always be counted on to make some dumb deals, so I’d call Dan Snyder.

I like Antwaan Randle-El. I think he’d cost the Broncos $1.5 million this year. He’s a proven winner, a great athlete and I believe a high-character guy (I don’t think he’s ever dated Rasheeda). Plus, he offers lots of flexibility, something McDaniels obviously covets.

Maybe the could trade Brandon to Washington for Randle-El and a draft pick.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jun 17, 2009 6:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think washington might be getting it a little under control

the fans certainly aren’t interested in “getting in the van” anymore, so maybe some of that has conducted up to management.

And for this offseason, I think Haynseworth pretty much finished them off. i think Snyder is STILL smoking the cigarette he lit up after that one!

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 17, 2009 7:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's an interesting idea, I am not that sold on Randle-El, but I do like his versitility

by Broncoman on Jun 17, 2009 8:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a big Randle-El fan either...but he could run the wildcat....

Have a good time all the time...that's my motto. - Viv Savage

by TD4HOF on Jun 17, 2009 8:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is what I wrote about Randle El in my Redskins post earlier

ANTWAAN RANDLE EL 5’10" 185
In 7 NFL seasons, Antwaan Randle El has blossomed into a dynamic multipurpose performer,cementing his reputation as an outstanding play-making receiver, an explosive KR and PR and even a situational QB. Even though he finished last season with a career high 53 catches for 593 yds and 4 touchdowns, they expect more from one of the most coveted members of the 2006 FA class.
The PR chores were mostly handled by Randle El, who had 39 Returns for 254 yds, a 6.5 avg, and was 1st in the league with 21 fair catches.

Not a good trade IMO

With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg

by KaptainKirk on Jun 17, 2009 9:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

what's not to like?

I don’t think the stats that Randel-El put up in that offense as the third receiving option are that bad.

I’m just curious, but do you think the trade wouldn’t be good because it wouldn’t return adequate value to the Broncos or do you not like Randle-El as a player?

I might be wrong, but I don’t think we’ll be able to trade Brandon Marshall for Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards unless we package Brandon with other players and/or picks. There are a ton of great wideouts I’d like to see here. I really like Lee Evans in Buffalo and Houston’s Andre Johnson. But I can’t imagine their teams would get rid of them.

I think we need to first identify teams who are willing to trade – that is, teams with a history of trading. And then identify teams with talent that McDaniels might covet.

People keep bringing up the Ravens, but I don’t view them as active swappers. Maybe I’m wrong…I seem to remember them trading with the Browns to acquire WR Kevin Johnson, but that’s the only one that comes to mind. And I think that was several years ago. I don’t believe Ozzie is much of a swapper.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jun 18, 2009 9:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd rather have Joshua Cribbs than Randle El

but he’s also looking for big money. hmmm

by lolcopter on Jun 18, 2009 10:06 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

AJ

Randle Els numbers are very comparable to Stokely’s. In fact, he is used as a slot receiver too. I believe that Royal will be stepping into this spot when Stokes retires. With that in mind, do we need a 3rd receiver of that type? I mean Marshall’s size gives us a better variable to maneuver with the Offense. Many feel that he(Randle El) hasn’t peaked or at the very least, lived up to expectations.

With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg

by KaptainKirk on Jun 18, 2009 10:14 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

but stats rarely tell the whole story

First, let’s just say I’m not married to this Randle-El idea.

I guess I don’t believe the speculation that the Broncos will be able to trade Brandon Marshall for a so-called #1 receiver. He represents too much of a risk to other teams. Clearly, all the reasons why he fell to the fourth round of the draft have been validated.

So, if I’m right, and if Coach McDaniels wants to replace Marshall with another receiver, then we need to start considering so-called #2 receivers. So who would that be? I’d prefer to consider #2 receivers who have been “kept down” by great #1s. If we focus on #2s, the stats aren’t going to match Brandon Marshall’s. It’s that simple.

So then I start thinking, what #2s have been stuck behind highly productive receivers. Well, Hines Ward is incredible. And there’s no shame in being beaten out by Hines Ward. I don’t like Santana Moss, but he was the #1 target in that offense and Cooley is #2. If Randle-El was given the opportunity, how would he do? What would his stats look like? If he was thrown to 181 times, would his stats look better than Stokely’s?

If you focus on #2s, there’s no better candidate than Anquan Boldin. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. If we could dump Brandon on the Cardinals in exchange for Anquan Boldin, I’d be ecstatic. But I can’t imagine the Cardinals are that dumb.

So if we take out Boldin, who are the #2s that you’d like? If past is prequel, they’ll probably want to trade Brandon out of the conference. Which #2 in the NFC would stoke your enthusiasm? Greg Jennings? Not me. No one on the Niners or the Falcons. The Vikings are a joke. So are the Bears. The Saints are fairly deep, but then, how much of that is Drew Brees and Sean Payton? I’m just brainstorming here. I don’t think the Cowboys would want to bring in another diva after they just got rid of T.O.

I’d love to bring Vincent Jackson back to Colorado, but I can’t envision that happening.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jun 18, 2009 10:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

consider the following

Sorry to double reply, but I thought of a different angle that I think is relevant.

The last two seasons Wes Welker was with Miami, he caught 29 balls for 434 yards in 2005 and had 67 catches for 687 yards in 2006. Then he signed with New England and exploded. In 2007, he caught 112 balls for 1175 yards and last season he had 111 catches for 1165 yards.

Randle-El caught 51 balls for 728 yards in 2007 and had 53 catches for 593 yards in 2008. Would a change in scenery and scheme allow Randle El to achieve his potential? I don’t know.

One more thing, I’m not limiting my candidates for Marshall’s replacement based on size or whether or not they’re aptly suited to play a certain receiver position because I just don’t buy that. People keep equating Brandon Marshall with Randy Moss, suggesting the Marshall would fulfill Moss’s role in McDaniels’ system. I just don’t see the parallels. Marshall isn’t as fast a Moss. He doesn’t have as much football intelligence. Moss is arguably the greatest receiver ever. Marshall made the Pro Bowl once in a season when he was the most thrown-to receiver in the league. Brandon Marshall is no Randy Moss.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jun 18, 2009 11:46 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand

You have good points there. I haven’t done the research to answer you on the #2’s. I will look into that, so I can offer more solutions.
You are right, Antwaan may thrive in another system outside the West Coast Offense. His #‘s are NOT bad, and the ’Skins may have interest in trading him. If Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas are ready to step up, he could be expendable. I wouldn’t frown on him, because at least he has a proven commodity value.
I don’t equate BM and Moss either. IMO, it is not debatable.Thanks for dreaming and scheming with me. Finding solutions are challenging and fun for me.

With the 12th pick, the Broncos select Knowshon Moreno - Roger Goodell
That'll move the chains - Andy Samberg

by KaptainKirk on Jun 18, 2009 2:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs