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Bears should avoid Marshall

For a lot of reasons, disgruntled receiver doesn’t fit in Chicago. Matt Bowen

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This June 23, 2009, 03:37 PM EST
9 Comments

I can understand why Bears QB Jay Cutler might lobby for his team to find a way to bring in Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall — but if I’m running that team, there’s no way I allow it to happen.

We all know that when we talk about the Chicago Bears, the first question that comes to mind — and one that will be asked throughout training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill. — is, what can we expect from a receiving corps that’s headlined by kick-returner-turned-wide-receiver Devin Hester.

And does Cutler have enough weapons to throw to?

Well, that all depends on what you’re looking for offensively, and probably more importantly, what offensive coordinator Ron Turner and his scheme needs when it comes to spending draft picks and cash on yet another offseason acquisition.

Jay CutlerAPCutler seems to be lobbying for his former receiver Brandon Marshall

I’ve written before here at the NFP why I believe former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress would fit in Chicago, and I still believe it, depending on what plays out in the legal system and from a league disciplinary standpoint. But with Plax, there is no long-term deal. He’s a one-season rental, unlike Marshall, who would want a new long-term contract.

In saying that, here’s a list of reasons why Chicago is better off staying away from Marshall.

1.Money: The Bears will eventually have to sign Cutler to a new deal. He should be next in line at the bank when it comes to handing out new money in Chicago. With Marshall, the Bears could be looking at the same thing that has made teams shy away from Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin — money. He will want a new contract when he gets to town because, as we know, that’s why he wants out in the first place.

2. Baggage: The issue here is that you roll the dice with Marshall. Sure, there are plenty of players in this league who have experienced off-the-field issues and are still playing at a very high level with a very big paycheck, but the league has already disciplined Marshall. If, for some reason, he winds up in trouble again, the Bears could lose him for an extended period due to a suspension. Not good for a guy under a long-term deal.

Brandon MarshallAPBrandon Marshall

3. Trade Bait: What do the Bears have left to offer besides future draft picks? Chicago traditionally builds its football team through the NFL Draft. It’s never a big player in the free agent market, and despite the major move the Bears pulled off this year for Cutler, I can’t see them giving up another series of picks to bring a receiver into town.

4. Scheme: The Bears are the furthest thing from the spread offense that Josh McDaniels and the Broncos will run this fall. They are a run-first football team that will take calculated risks down the field in the vertical passing game. Marshall’s talents won’t be maximized in Turner’s scheme because this football team will use its tight ends, will rely on play action and would still like running back Matt Forte to be the No. 1 weapon on offense. Cutler was brought in to make the throws that former QB Kyle Orton couldn’t, not to change the system.

5. No Need: We might assume that the Bears need help at wide receiver, but this team and GM Jerry Angelo are confident that the addition of Cutler makes everyone better — including the young and unproven wide receiving corps. Hester will have had another offseason to develop, the team likes rookie Johnny Knox, and former Oklahoma standout Juaquin Iglesias was drafted to add to the overall depth. We can talk all we want, but this team just might be ready to battle with what it has — and Cutler must lead the way.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Comments

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Romo
Jun 23, 2009
04:35 PM

I don't agree with the Bears not pursuing Marshall. He's got 3 years with Cutler, and they'd instantly be on the same page. They'd not only be getting Marshall, they'd also be getting 3 years of practice and synchronization that come with a proven pair. Yes, the offense will be geared around Forte, but with a first class receiver to go with Cutler, Forte would be even more effective. Do you think Emmit Smith got all those yards without Micheal Irvin and vice-versa?

The Money and Baggage are real issues, but I'm sure a bigger money contract could be agreed upon that has some clauses which could protect the Bears in the event the baggage resurfaces. While giving up a first (or maybe a second) sounds steep, college receivers can be hard to project into the pro's, and Marshall is largely proven, and has got a lot of years left...

Just my 2 cents.

Men of Troy
Jun 23, 2009
05:06 PM

Get Plax and move on...

Mr.Murder
Jun 23, 2009
05:08 PM

The Bears don't wanna do Denver any favors. The economy is getting pinched to the point teams know Denver will have to act under obligation of its financial considerations.

Jumping on the early bandwagon gives the Boncos leverage you don't arm them with. The Bears D probably has some people Denver would take(Israel I would look good on any team). He's on a good contract in terms of return for value, he should earn performance based pay on his season as well, teams win out on that because it means they got great value.

Marshall clearly wants some leverage, Cutler would make great chemistry for him, and steering his services to a team with a lot of questions at wideout could enhance Marshall's future earnings greatly. Cutler already showed his ability to dictate Broncos policy, the tail wags the dog.

Either let me go to a team I like or cut me outright, he can get a good ask price from hbis side, even considering how thin the market is for his position. Plaxico is the item in the way of things right now, people want to see what kind of value he gets for a place to start talks from for Marshall? The Bears usually don't git bid heavy as a team history,

There are certain calandar dates and contract clauses to examine and see exactly where Marshall's demands sit at this time. NFLPA.org can help with those numbers.

gadzilla
Jun 23, 2009
06:20 PM

I'm so tired of discipline cases in the NFL... numbers or not... you can't honestly tell me that guys like T.O., Vick, Pacman, Marshall and the slew of other selfish players I can't remember at the moment didn't ultimately hurt their teams more then they helped. There are reasons championship teams tend to avoid drama...

Blogspan
Jun 24, 2009
02:54 AM

Marshall makes his way to Chicago, opposing defenses are done for. I don't care how they do it, but they NEED a WR like Marshall. Nothing against Devin, but he is at best a solid #2 guy. The Money and Baggage are real issues, but I'm sure a bigger money contract could be agreed upon that has some clauses which could protect the Bears in the event the baggage resurfaces

Da Coach
Jun 24, 2009
08:21 AM

Get Plax or go to battle with what we have...

The Bear haven't had a top flight WR since Willie Gault in '85, and he was just a deep ball guy. Marhsall's talents will be wasted in this offense.

Forte, Olson, Hester.... those are the weapons we have in that order..

11-5, NFC North Champs

Steve
Jun 24, 2009
09:13 AM

That's funny!!! "If Marshall makes his way to Chicago, then opposing defenses are done for". Are you kidding me. In Denver it was Cutler, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and two of the best receivers in the league in Marshall and Royal. Opposing defenses held them to an average of 21 points a game, 16th in the league. Could have been a lot more but Cutler was always throwing to Marshall, even into triple coverage when other receivers were wide open. Yea, good idea, send Marshall to Chicago, the defenses will love it. Just ask KC, SD and Raider fans. Chicago fans better hope Cutler does not find one favorite target.

Rowdy Roddy
Jun 24, 2009
02:04 PM

They should indeed go for him . Culter is familiar with him & he is a big fast talent . Unfortunately there is no big fast receiver tree . Its a risk worth taking . On a different note , I'm not digging the new format .

Nowhuffo
Jun 24, 2009
07:11 PM

Good points from Mr. Murder and I would agree with Blogspan about structuring a contract specifically for possible trouble down the road .

On the other hand maybe going with what they have is not that bad of an option. Strong tight ends and a solid hands running back could be enough to keep the deep ball threat there and still control Cutlers propensity to throw into coverage and/or just miss his receivers.

Cutler and Bennett sound like it has more upside than picking up troubled wide receivers who are unwilling to respect the game.

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