Bears Set Themselves Up For More Failure in Brandon Marshall Deal
We've all heard the stories. A number of off the field issues in his past. Locker room issues that boiled over this year, including a well publicized spat with the kicker. And let's not forget the public interview where he threw his quarterback under the bus...though saying the Bears might have buyer's remorse on Jay Cutler's contract is hardly anything not being more colorfully spoken by media and Bears fans alike.
With the portrayal the media gives of Brandon Marshall, it's easy to understand the Bears logic in dumping the 31 year old receiver with a $7 million guarantee. Unfortunately, the media's protrayal of Marshall as anything but a clubhouse leader is exageration. And Marshall's on field abilities are irreplaceable.
Marshall could definitely be vocal, as evidenced by the numerous media accounts. The biggest locker room blowup this year was after a 14 point effort in October that fell the Bears to 3-4. Marshall, who caught every targeted pass he received in that game, had more than enough reason to be vocal. In reality though, it's a failure of management to even let these situations develop. Last year, the Bears suffered through their worst coaching situation since Dave Wannstedt. Putting undo emphasis on Marshall's frustrations over other players seems more convenient than anything. The truth is that Brandon Marshall is the kind of teammate that does whatever it takes to win, even if that means helping develop other players. Marshall has more than done a great job with Alshon Jeffery, helping coach the young receiver with training regiments and dietary advice. Marshall has even vocally supported Jeffery in the past, going as far as claiming Jeffery is a better receiver.
The numbers, of course, do not support that claim. And it's fair to wonder if Jeffery will have success as a wide receiver now that Brandon Marshall is gone. With Marshall out for the last month of the season, Jeffery scuffled mightily. As the top option, his catches fell to four a game. He had season worst games in yards and yac. Jeffery simply isn't a top notch reciever, and he benefits tremendously from the attention that Marshall receives.
So what's the plan? The Bears have to realize this about Jeffery, right? What's out there to replace Marshall? Houston's made Andre Johnson available in trade, but he's not a number 1 receiver anymore and is owed $20 million. Jeremy Maclin is out there. But he'll cost a lot more than Marshall's guarantee and is widely expected to return to Philadelphia. Torry Smith is out there, but he's never been as good as Marshall and he, too, will seek a lot more money. And of course, the Bears brought Brian Hartline in to Halas Hall earlier this week. Bears fans should hope he's here to interview for a coaching position.
There's always the draft, but the Bears have so many needs to fill on defense that it seems wasteful to use a pick on a receiver when they didn't need to. Not to mention that while there is a lot of WR depth in this upcoming draft, none have the upside of Marshall.
This is going to be a tough year for the Bears. Cutler may be back, or perhaps the Bears draft a quarterback. There's a few intriguing free agent QB's, but really no one better than Cutler. My guess is Cutler probably gets another year, even if a QB is drafted. And perhaps that's what this is really about. If the Bears draft a QB of the future, they don't want Jay Cutler winning fans over with a big season. Shouldn't be a problem, given the tank job the Bears have just started by trading Brandon Marshall.
