There are both positives and negatives to Jerry Reese and the New York Giants looking to bring in free agent WR Brandon Marshall.
There are a number of reasons why Brandon Marshall to the New York Giants makes sense, but there are also reasons why the pairing may not work.Here are the pros and cons on Marshall possibly signing with the Giants.
The Pros
1. The Giants would have the best trio of receivers in the league
Defensive coordinators would have many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to defend Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Brandon Marshall. The Giants run out of a three wide receiver formation over 90 percent of the time, so having three dynamic receivers with difskill setsillsets will revive the Giants offense that struggled last season
2. Great red zone target
Despite throwing for over 4,000 yards in each of his three seasons in the west coast offense, Eli Manning has struggled in the red zone. One of the reasons is because he hasn’t had a tall physical receiver to throw a fade pass to. At 6-foot-3, Marshall would give Manning a tall receiver on the outside that he hasn’t had since Plaxico Burress. As a result, the Giants would be better and more efficient offense in the red zone.
3. Marshall wants to stay in the area
By all accounts Marshall likes the NJ/NYC area, and during the season he is an analyst on Showtime’s Inside the NFL which tapes in New York. Staying in the area and not having to move his family would be ideal for both his career on and off the field.
4. A chance to play for a contender
Despite the induvial success Marshall has had in his career, he has never played in a playoff game during his 11 year career. The Giants went 11-5 last season and will be one of the favorites to win the NFC next season. A chance to play for a contender at the twilight of his career may entice Marshall so much that he might be willing to play for significantly less than the $7.5 million he was scheduled to make in 2017 prior to being released.
The Cons
1. He’ll be 33 in a few weeks
As we all know the Giants having been going through a youth movement as the core of their team is under 30. Marshall will turn 33 on March 23rd and won’t fit in the Giants plans long term. Giants can offer him a one year deal, but they’ll be in the same position next season trying to find a third receiver.
2. Giants have bigger needs to fill than a third wide receiver
Yes the Giants do need someone to step in and be their third wide receiver after they cut Victor Cruz, but not as much as they need offensive line help and a tight end. As great as the Giants receiving corps would be with Marshall, it won’t matter if Eli Manning doesn’t have time to get them the ball. With the money it may cost the Giants to acquire Marshall, it would serve them best to acquire an offensive lineman.
3. Another receiver with a big personality
Marshall has a commanding personality and is very outspoken both inside and outside of the locker room. The Giants already have a wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. that attracts attention on the field and in the locker room with his play and personality. Bringing in another receiver that commands attention could add to distractions that the Giants don’t need.
4. Is he willing to take a lesser role?
The Giants have a high powered passing offense, but there’s only one football to go around. Odell will get at least 10 targets game and Sterling Shepard will be even a bigger part of the offense in his second year. So this will limit the number of targets Marshall gets a game. Last year he had 59 which were the second fewest of his career, and he may have less in 2017 if he signs with the Giants.
Throughout his career, Marshall has been the number one receiver on the teams he’s played on. Will he be willing to play for a team where he’s the second or third option?
