Playing Devil’s Advocate with Brandon Marshall
The Broncos and Dolphins pulled off a blockbuster trade Wednesday that sent wide receiver Brandon Marshall to Miami in exchange for a 2nd round pick in this year’s draft and another 2nd rounder in 2011. Of course we won’t know which team got the better of the deal for quite some time but it’s always fun to speculate, no? Let’s play a little devil’s advocate:
Glass half-full for Miami: Congratulations Dolphins fans, you’ve just acquired one the best wide receivers in football. Chad Henne will now have a legit #1 target as he enters his first full season as the starter. The offense becomes even more dynamic and unpredictable with the Wildcat still in play. Marshall will be back in his home state of Florida and motivated to prove he’s worth $47.5 million. Playoffs baby!
Glass half-empty for Miami: So let me get this straight — Bill Parcells of all people gives the OK to fork over two 2nd round picks for a diva wide receiver with a laundry list of off-the-field problems, then he pays him almost $50 million to call South Beach his playground? That sounds like a fantastic idea. This is the same guy who pouted and refused to practice last season, right? And it’s the same dude who’s been involved in a domestic dispute or eight, correct? Thought so. Don’t worry Dolphin fan, dishing out guaranteed dough to guys with checkered pasts works out just about every time (see Haynesworth, Albert). Oh, and in case you forgot, Darrelle Revis plays in the AFC East. Dagger.
Glass half-full for Denver: Hey, getting two 2nd round picks in return for a player that Josh McDaniels clearly wanted nothing to do with should be considered a great success. Now the Broncos have three high draft picks (No. 11, 43, 45) and can look to find Marshall’s replacement fairly quickly.
Glass half-empty for Denver: Nice move McDaniels, you’ve just unloaded 101 catches and 10 TD’s from your roster. Who’s gonna pick up the slack hot shot? Remember Week 17 last season when McDaniels thought it would be cute to deactivate Marshall with a playoff berth on the line? A 44-24 thrashing by the hands of the lowly Chiefs was the end result. You thought losing 8 of 10 to close out 2009 was bad? How’s it going to get any better in 2010 without a bona fide playmaker?
