Now that Brandon Marshall is a former wide receiver for the New York Jets, we take a look at his top plays in the green and white.
Over the past two years, Brandon Marshall has become a fan-favorite of the New York Jets. His combination of height, brute strength and relentlessness when going after the football made him a nightmare for opposing defensive backs in his first season.That year, he and Eric Decker helped carry the offense to a 10-6 season, just missing the playoffs due to Ryan Fitzpatrick reemerging as the poor quarterback he always was.
Unfortunately, in Marshall’s second season in green, the emergence of Quincy Enunwa, a younger, faster version of Marshall and Robby Anderson made Marshall expendable and have now allowed the Jets to commit to a full rebuild.
While Marshall may be gone, he put together quite a real of impressive plays in his short, but memorable stint with the Jets.
Here are the top five plays of Marshall’s tenure with Gang Green.
Marshall Takes His Football Back
Marshall’s first game as a member of the Jets.
This is not a play that is going to be remembered well after the game. Marshall isn’t making an Odell Beckham Jr.-esque one-handed catch. He is not nimbly getting two feet down in the corner of the end zone.
But what he is doing is showing the will, determination and ultra-competitiveness that he exhibited throughout his Jet career.
Most receivers in this situation would simply make the tackle and get off the field. Not Marshall.
This play perfectly encapsulates the relationship between quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Marshall as well. No matter how many mistakes Ryan Fitzpatrick committed while under center, Marshall would always be there to hide his deficiencies.
Overpowering Indy
Simply overpowering.
At 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, it is going to take an army to take Brandon Marshall down.
Jalil Brown didn’t turn his head around in time to see the ball. Giving up four inches and 30 pounds, all Brown could do at that point was try and hold Marshall out of the end zone until help arrived.
Well, help did arrive in the form of Pro Bowl Safety Mike Adams. But even with Adams, the Colts were simply overmatched.
The Colts had cut the lead to three on their previous drive. Momentum seemed to be heading in Indianapolis’s way. When the Jets needed a big play Marshall was right there. As always.
Shoestring Catch
Remember when I said Marshall helped cover Fitzpatrick’s deficiencies? There might not be a better example that this play. (Although, we will get to one more on the next slide. Sorry, Ryan.)
On a grossly overthrown ball, Marshall first has to gain proper positioning. Then Marshall has to somehow get the proper footing to reach down and make the catch.
A slight stutter-step makes Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland collide with his teammate, and Marshall’s speed takes care of the rest.
Again, it is Hard to Under-Throw Marshall
Similarly to the previous catch, Marshall has to adjust to a poorly, under-thrown football.
One on one against Marshall, Patriots Safety Duron Harmon simply doesn’t have a chance at this football, and seemingly, neither does Marshall.
Marshall needs to turn his head, change his route, gain proper positioning, dive for the football and secure the football. All in the time of a split second.
Can’t Teach Height
Playing the cross-town rival Giants, the Jets knew all eyes in New York would be paying attention to this game. The Jets also knew that if the Jets dropped this game their playoff hopes would be over.
32 seconds left in regulation. Down seven. First and goal, needing nine yards to tie the game, you need to go to your number one wideout.
Marshall has Prince Amukamara lined up against him. Lacking four inches, there is no way Amukamara can win a jump ball against Marshall. Heck, there is no way most defensive backs can win a jump-ball against Marshall. Ask Joe Haden or Malcolm Butler.
This is a play Marshall has made his entire career. He boxes out his man like an NBA center, leaps and makes a difficult catch look easy. He just makes his quarterback look so great, doesn’t he?
I liked Brandon Marshall....sad to see him gone.....I wish we could get him back with a better contract....I read again recently that Brandon has a way of rubbing people the wrong way with hi comments. I listened to every post game interview and all I heard was a competitiveness to win....no excuses....he stuck up for his teammates....and when he was on the field with Decker...even without a great QB....the Jets were a dynamic receiving threat. Not sure it makes sense to rid themselves of Brandon...and as I have read possibly Decker as well. Seems Brandon, a healthy Decker and Quincy would give the Jets a solid, talented receiving corps...and then be one area of the team that does not need rebuilding. Maybe the contract was just too expensive? But I think the Jets are making a mistake...keep the receiver group intact and this year rebuild in other area of the team...