When Josh McDaniels and his new coaching staff took over in Denver last year, one of the changes that they implemented was switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4. With that change, one of the things they did was ask defensive end Elvis Dumervil if he would switch positions and stand up as an outside linebacker.

Even though most players don’t like switching positions (why would they if they got to the NFL playing the position they’re most familiar with), Dumervil did so without complaint. He then proceeded to rack up a league-high 17 sacks in a career year.

Thanks to the un-capped year, Dumervil is a restricted free agent. The Broncos assigned a first and third round tender on the 26-year-old linebacker, but he has yet to sign it because he’s seeking a long-term deal. He’s also working out on his own in Florida instead of in Denver, as he waits for the Broncos to come through with a long-term offer.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

If the Seahawks still had hopes of acquiring receiver Brandon Marshall from the Broncos, they just made things more difficult on themselves.

Seattle swapped second round picks with San Diego in order to acquire quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on Wednesday and also gave up a 2011 third round pick in the process. The price for Marshall has always been a first rounder, but if the Broncos decided to back off their demands and accept less, the Seahawks just lost a lot of bargaining power by moving 20 spots back in the second round.

That said, they still have two first round picks. If they wanted to get creative, they could convince another team to get involved by trading the No. 14 overall selection for a later first round pick, then attempting to work out a deal with Denver for Marshall. Seattle seems reluctant to part with the No. 6 overall pick, but they could do a lot with their selection at No. 14.

Of course, this is only relevant if the Seahawks still want Marshall. Just because they brought him in for a visit at the start of free agency doesn’t mean they’re serious about signing him to an offer sheet. As of right now, they don’t have to do anything because they’re the only ones that have even brought Marshall in for a visit. They can stand pat at the moment and not have to worry about competing with themselves if they do want him.

This will continue to be an intriguing storyline to follow throughout the offseason, as things are starting to heat up in Seattle.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

FOXSports.com’s John Czarnecki writes that there’s no way that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will part with the sixth overall pick for Brandon Marshall.

Remember when Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall flew to Seattle once free agency began? Well, the Seahawks checked him out, but still haven’t made an offer. Yes, Marshall is available, but the asking price is steep. At minimum a first-round draft choice and there’s no way that Pete Carroll is parting with the sixth overall pick for a disgruntled receiver who really can’t stretch the field. The Seahawks already have enough of those types of receivers: overpaid route runners!

Is it just me or does Czarnecki’s reports usually leave a little something to be desired? He has the access to provide good information but the follow through usually comes up short. It’s almost like he fails to look at all the information before formulating his opinions.

Even though the Seahawks brought Marshall in for a visit a couple weeks ago, it makes no sense for them to put together an offer sheet when no other team has shown interest yet. Why would they compete against themselves in a trade like that? Plus, Czarnecki fails to mention that Seattle also has the 14th overall pick, which allows them to keep their selection at No. 6 and still attempt to work out a trade for Marshall. If they could get another team involved, the Seahawks could trade the No. 14 selection for a later first round pick, get more compensation (whether it be another second or third rounder) and then trade whatever first round pick they acquire from the third team to Denver for Marshall.

So while I agree with the sentiment that Carroll won’t give up the No. 6 overall pick for Marshall, he could still do a lot with No. 14.

Lastly, I wouldn’t call Marshall a true speedster but he can certainly stretch the field. I think what Czarnecki is confused about is the fact that Marshall isn’t explosive off the ball, which gives people the impression that he’s not a true deep threat. But he has more than enough speed and once he gets into full stride, his long legs allow him to create separation from defensive backs. So to insinuate that Marshall would just be another “overpaid route runner” is absolutely ridiculous.

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia is reporting that the Seahawks are interested in Eagles’ quarterback Kevin Kolb and not Donovan McNabb. This contradicts ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio’s report yesterday that the Seahawks have been calling the Eagles “non-stop” about the availability of both quarterbacks.

Good luck, Seattle. If (and it’s a big “if” at this point) the Eagles were going to part with either quarterback, it would be McNabb because of his age. Kolb is the future and while Andy Reid may be committed to McNabb now, he knows the veteran can’t play forever and at some point the team will have to make the transition to the younger QB.

The Seahawks own the No. 6 and No. 14 overall picks in the draft and I highly doubt they would be willing to give up either for Kolb or McNabb. If they found another team to trade with, they may be willing to drop down and then make a deal with Philly, but again, the Eagles seem reluctant to hang onto all three (Michael Vick being the third leg of the triangle) of their quarterbacks at this point.

This is an interesting development and one that is worth following leading up to the draft, but as it stands right now there is no deal to be had between these two teams. It’s also worth noting that the Seahawks have been linked to receiver Brandon Marshall, who would also have to be acquired via trade.

Photo from fOTOGLIF