The Scores Report - The National Sports Blog » Brandon Marshall trade

Ginn likely on the move now that Dolphins have Marshall

Anthony Stalter — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:59 +0000

Much like Donovan McNabb’s trade to the Redskins, the Brandon Marshall deal will likely impact the future of other players, including Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant and current Dolphin Ted Ginn Jr.

The Broncos now become the favorites to land Bryant with the 11th overall pick in this month’s draft, assuming they don’t mind taking on another receiver with a checkered past. If Denver passes on the Oklahoma State product, there’s no telling how far he may fall in the first round, although chances are he’ll go among the top 20 picks seeing as how he’s the top receiver in the draft.

Ginn’s future is a little cloudier. Even before they acquired Marshall from Denver, the Dolphins were shopping Ginn to potential suitors. Now that the trade for Marshall has been completed, there’s little doubt that Miami will move Ginn this offseason, but to whom and for what are the questions.

In a perfect world, the Dolphins would keep Ginn in hopes that he would be the deep threat that could complement Marshall. But everyone from the front office down to the janitorial staff has soured on Ginn and thus his time in Miami appears to be running out. In fact, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the Fins might move the former first round pick for as little as a fifth rounder. (Considering the Jets got Santonio Holmes for a fifth round pick, if the Dolphins get a fifth rounder from Ginn, they should do back flips.)

There are several teams that could use a returner and thrust Ginn into the mix at receiver as well. This is just speculation on my part, but three of the four teams in the NFC South – the Bucs, Panthers and Falcons – could all find a spot for him in their receiving corps if they’re willing to part with a late round pick. (Although the Falcons also have Harry Douglas returning from an ACL injury, so they may not see a use for Ginn, who is a similar player.)

It’ll be interesting to see where Ginn winds up and whether or not he can turn around his once promising career.

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Were the Dolphins wise to commit to Marshall long-term?

Anthony Stalter — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:00:09 +0000

The Dolphins have been desperately searching for a true No. 1 wideout for the better part of the last decade. That’s why they ultimately decided to part with two second round picks in order to acquire Brandon Marshall from the Broncos on Wednesday, and why they broke out their checkbook to sign the receiver to a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension.

When Marshall is healthy and happy, there’s little doubt that he brings a lot to the field. At 6’4”, 230 pounds, he has great size and once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s a playmaker in every sense of the word. He’s drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens (in his prime), only it’s T.O. that wishes he had Marshall’s hands.

When he’s healthy and happy, Marshall is worth the money. But keeping him happy has proven to be difficult.

Miami did what they had to do. They had a major need at receiver, so they acquired the best one available and made sure they locked him up to a long-term contract. But there’s no doubt that the Dolphins are taking a huge risk by committing to a player that is about as well behaved as Pacman Jones inside a strip club with $10,000 in his back pocket. The hope for Bill Parcells and company is that Marshall will behave now that he has a long-term contract, but there’s no guarantee of that.

In comparison, the Packers signed Greg Jennings to a four-year, $26.9 million contract in June of 2009. Granted, Marshall is more talented and this is an uncapped year, but when you factor in the risk associated with Marhsall, you can see that the Dolphins are taking a big leap of faith. (For another comparison, Marshall is set to make $2 million more than Roddy White too, whom the Falcons signed to a six-year, $48 million contract last August.)

But again, the Dolphins had no choice. In this case, the risk is worth the reward because Marshall is still young (26), very productive and could potentially be the difference-maker that Miami has coveted for years. If he behaves, the Dolphins won’t live to regret their decision.

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Brandon Marshall traded to Miami

John Paulsen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:54 +0000

Adam Schefter reports that the Miami Dolphins have traded for the talented yet unpredictable Brandon Marshall.

For the second straight year, the Broncos will pull off a blockbuster deal, this time trading wide receiver Brandon Marshall to Miami for a second-round pick next Friday and what is thought to be an additional second-round pick in 2011, according to league sources.

The trade is contingent upon the league processing the paper work and Marshall passing his physical, neither of which is expected to be an issue Wednesday. Marshall is scheduled to fly to Miami to take his physical and, if he passes, sign what will be one of the most lucrative wide receiver deals in NFL history. It is the type of contract that an unhappy Marshall had been seeking in recent years. Miami will provide it, making Marshall very happy.

The general consensus was that Marshall would eventually land in Seattle, but Miami had a need for a true #1 WR and Marshall is one of the best in the game. Two second rounders is a lot to give up for a player with Marshall’s recent history of attitude problems, but head honcho Bill Parcells obviously believes that a new contract and a fresh start in sunny Miami is just what he needs.

Fantasy-wise, this is a boost for Chad Henne and a slight downgrade for Marshall, who has to learn a new offense and develop a rapport with his second QB in as many years. Kyle Orton and Denver’s offense will be hurt by Marshall’s loss, but this probably means that 2009 disappointment Eddie Royal will be a prime breakout candidate in 2010.

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Possible landing spots for Brandon Marshall

Anthony Stalter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:55:36 +0000

ESPN.com breaks down several possible destinations for receiver Brandon Marshall if/when the Broncos decide to deal him this offseason.

· The first speculation was that Marshall would be headed to the Seahawks or the Redskins, via two of our NFL Nation bloggers.

· Cincinnati has the need for a second WR to go along with Chad Ochocinco, but we’re not sure the Bengals would want another head case.

· The Cowboys need a legitimate No. 1 WR and Jerry Jones would have no problem forking out cash for a new deal to Marshall.

· What about the Pats? Randy Moss isn’t getting any younger, and Wes Welker might be a shell of his former self after shredding his knee.

· Dave Krieger of the Denver Post speculated on some new spots: the Ravens, Dolphins and Cardinals.

Mike Klis of the Denver Post also throws out a Marshall-for-Brady Quinn scenario, but he’s just speculating – he has nothing to back that rumor up.

The problem the Broncos have is that Marshall’s trade value has never been lower. Teams know that he and head coach Josh McDaniels are at odds and that Denver wants to rid itself of him. The Broncos will be lucky to land a third round pick for him, which would be quite a steal for the team that acquires him.

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Jets serious about trading for Marshall?

Anthony Stalter — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:07:40 +0000

According to Bob Glauber of Newsday, the Jets are seriously exploring the possibility of trading for disgruntled Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall.

Although coach Rex Ryan repeatedly has said he is satisfied with his receivers, the Jets have taken a look at acquiring an established receiver. Jerricho Cotchery is the Jets’ only proven veteran receiver.

It is believed the Broncos would want a first-round draft pick in any deal for Marshall, but it is unlikely the Jets would pay that high a price.

Actually, it’s been reported that the price is a first and a fourth round pick for Marshall. So if the Jets are unlikely willing to pay that price, it’s doubtful that they’ll peek the Broncos’ interest enough to engage in trade talks for Marshall.

That said, Denver has to be nearing the end of its rope. Josh McDaniels has already suspended Marshall for conduct detrimental to the team and at some point enough is enough. Maybe if the Jets offer a package of a second and a fourth round pick, the Broncos will bite. Maybe.

Chances are that the Broncos are going to at least see how Marshall reacts to his suspension and then decide what to do from there. His trade value is at an all-time low and considering he’s a Pro Bowler, they don’t want to get sucked in by a lowball offer. The Broncos could be hoping that he returns from his suspension with a new attitude and either they can hang onto him, or he’ll up his trade value and then they can get a first rounder in exchange for his services.

Update: ESPN News is reporting that the Broncos want LB David Harris in exchange for Marshall, although that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Marshall admits to “error in judgment” regarding actions at recent practice

Anthony Stalter — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:11:28 +0000

After a tumultuous offseason in which he’s demanded a new contract or for the Broncos to trade him, receiver Brandon Marshall has seemingly reached his boiling point.

During a recent practice, Marshall exuded frustration by punting balls after catching them (instead of handing them to the ball boy) and swatting away a pass that was thrown to him. But he now admits that his actions were an “error in judgment” on his part.

From ESPN.com:

In the video aired by KMGH-TV from Wednesday’s portion of practice that was open to the media, Marshall was shown walking when the rest of the team was running during warmups, insolently punting the ball away instead of handing it to a ball boy and swatting away a pass that was thrown to him.

Marshall said some of the video, which included a shot of him sitting on his pads before practice, was taken out of context. But he acknowledged his frustration boiled over and that it was an error in judgment to act as he did, especially when he punted the ball.

“I think everybody knows there’s a lot of stuff built up there, and me handling it that way wasn’t good,” Marshall said during the ESPN phone interview. “I think if I could do it again I definitely wouldn’t punt the ball.”

Marshall said he wasn’t trying to force his way out of town — he asked for a trade this summer after the Broncos declined to rework a contract which will pay him $2.2 million this season.

“I’m not out there trying to be a distraction to the team,” Marshall said. “Unfortunately, yesterday I kind of let my frustration get the best of me.”

I went into more detail yesterday about Marshall’s situation in Denver, which you can read here. But the bottom line is that he needs to look up the word professionalism and then apply it to his career.

He’s not doing himself any favors by acting like a child while at practice. In fact, he’s only getting further and further away from what he truly wants (whether that’s a new contract, to be traded or both).

Broncos willing to listen to offers for Marshall

Anthony Stalter — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:30:43 +0000

According to a report by the Denver Post, the Broncos are willing to listen to offers for receiver Brandon Marshall, as long as those offers include a first and a fourth round draft pick.

The Broncos would listen for trade offers for Marshall if they included first- and fourth-round draft picks. But the buzz among the league executives contacted this week was that they would want to see if Marshall is healthy after undergoing hip surgery in the offseason.

And a few of those personnel executives said they would have to explain to the team ownership that Marshall, despite his acquittal on misdemeanor battery charges in Atlanta earlier this month, is still considered one more brush with the law away from a substantial suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

In other words, despite their battle of wills, McDaniels and Marshall may need each other, at least for the time being. McDaniels needs a playmaker, the executives said, and Marshall needs to show he is full speed and ready to be a productive player, to get his wish to be traded.

The article hits the nail on the head; Marshall needs to play ball (literally and figuratively) if he expects to get what he wants. He wants a new contract and/or to be traded, but he can’t have either of those things if he makes a stink in Denver, because the Broncos will be unwilling to give him more money and unable to deal him to another team.

Marshall’s best course of action would be to get healthy, suit up, shut up and play. That way he shows good faith to the Broncos and proves to other teams that he’s worth the risk. As of now, he hasn’t even taking the time to learn the Broncos’ playbook and continues to speak out about wanting a new contract. Those things aren’t helping him.

From a pure trade stand point, the compensation of a first and a fourth for a receiver of Marshall’s talent would be worth it for a team. But factor in his health and his off-field history, and the situation gets a lot more complicated.

This certainly bears watching, but I don’t think the Broncos are going to get a 1st and a 4th for Marshall, and given his overall attitude this summer, teams will only trade for him if they’re getting a good deal. He’s practicing now, which is a good sign, and that makes him an interesting pick in the 4th or 5th round of fantasy drafts. While all of this drama has been going on, Eddie Royal has been working his tail off, and he may end up as the team’s top receiver. This would make him a great deal in the 5th or 6th.