Mashall Sent to Dolphins; Ginn, Jr. on the Move?

Update (4/16/10): Ginn was dealt today to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth round pick. Ginn should be a returner and a possible #3 or 4 WR.

Marshall also brings toughness to position

Two-second round picks. That would have landed you Brandon Marshall. And the Miami Dolphins did just that.

ESPN's Adam Shefter reports that Brandon Marshall will still don orange on 2010, but a different shade to go with it as Marshall lands in Miami. The deal comes on the heels of a report in The Palm Beach Post that Miami is shopping Ted Ginn, Jr.

Immediately, many will recall the Dallas days when Bill Parcells was the head coach and there was a receiver dubbed as "the player", aka T.O. This is different.

Parcells won't have to answer questions about getting Marshall the ball. Parcells won't have to answer questions about why Marshall was on the sideline screaming at his QB. Parcells won't have to answer the questions about how Marshall is possibly a locker room cancer. Those questions are in the past.

No one doubts Marshall's football ability. In fact, I say he's the best receiver in the league. But Marshall and Jay Cutler were escorted out of Denver due to the new guy running the show. And Josh McDaniels is running the show in Denver now as he wishes. Make no mistake about it. The Marshall deal just further entrenches McDaniels as the sheriff.

Miami receives a physical and athletic freak. With the running attack Miami displays, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown (if healthy), Marshall will make their lives even better. Having opposing D-coordinators concentrating on another offensive weapon is a guarantee that bigger running lanes will develop.

Ginn, Jr. was never received well in Miami

Regarding Ginn, Jr. He received the "Donovan McNabb" welcome in Miami...to a chorus of boos. You remember the Philly faithful booing McNabb's selection when Ricky Williams was still available? That's how Ginn, Jr's selection was viewed in Miami.

Ginn, Jr. was relegated to #3 receiver and return specialist toward the end of a disappointing 2009. While no one can question Ginn, Jr's return ability or his speed, the rest of his game can be. Ask former Parcells receiver Keyshawn Johnson. He knows a thing or two about Parcells and his expectations.

"I think if they can get something for him, he's probably a guy they would rather do without," said Johnson, now an ESPN analyst. "I don't know, I haven't really been talking to Bill about it.

"I just know based on the past that this is a real problem: dropping balls, not looking like a football player. It may be something he has put on himself."

"Bottom line he was drafted too high and he's not giving him what he should for his draft status, so it's time to maybe move him,"

So, the Fins send two picks for Marshall. They are hoping to recover at least one of those by sending Ginn, Jr. In the long run, this is a steal for Miami, especially if Ginn, Jr. can be dealt.

Chad Henne is happier than Williams and Brown.

NFC Championship Peek

Yesterday I looked at the AFC Championship game. If you didn't catch it, you can find it here. Today, let's view some keys for the battle for the NFC crown between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.

1. QB matchup- Vikes Brett Favre and Saints Drew Brees.

Every time I'm watching any type of sports channel, I see Brett. Kind of hard to ignore, but Favre is playing at a level we're all unaccumstomed to seeing. But who would you rather have? The 40 year old with a ring or the commander of the most explosive passing offense over the past few years? There's no wrong answer here. You might want to ponder on who's more trustworthy with the ball. I'm anxious to see if Favre will retreat to his gunslinger mentality if the Vikings get behind by more than a TD.

2. Vikings defensive line v. Saints offensive line.

If you scan the injury report, three of the four Vikings starters are on it. Ray Edwards (knee), Kevin Williams (knee) and Pat Williams (elbow) are listed as questionable. Even backup DT Jimmy Kennedy (thumb) is listed, but he is probable. If you believe that Edwards and the Williams' aren't going to play, you're sadly mistaken. And there's always DE Jared Allen. The Saints O line must keep Brees upright and that's priority #1.

3. Vikings DBs v. Saints WRs.

Marshall to land in NYC?

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall may get his wish yet. Reports have surfaced that the New York Jets are interested in acquiring the disgruntled Bronco. Marshall has loudly claimed he either wants a new contract or a trade.

But are the Jets the best destination for Marshall? Would the Jets seriously want a player that has the off-field baggage that Marshall totes? Would New York City and Marshall be a good mix? Would Marshall be a good fit within the Jets locker room? Could the Jets deal with the behavior Marshall has exhibited lately?

The answer to all of those questions: Simply, no.

Having Marshall in the city that never sleeps is a dangerous mix on so any levels. This is not a knock on NYC. New York has many athletes in all sports that more than live up to their end of the bargain (Jeter and Eli just to name a couple). This is also not a knock on the Jets. They dealt with Favre last season, but Marshall is a different sort of "celebrity".

I have the perfect fit for Marshall...Baltimore. Yes, Baltimore.

From a football standpoint, Marshall is a perfect fit to go along side veteran Derrick Mason. Mason could use the help and distraction (on the field) that Marshall brings. Mason could show Marshall the ropes on being a professional. Mason's veteran presence will only serve to aid Marshall both in his performance and his maturity. But the benefits for Marshall going to the Ravens do not end there.

The Ravens have a strong, veteran presence in the locker room. It all begins with Ray Lewis. Lewis is argueably the most respected player in the NFL. Does anyone think that Lewis would "permit" such behavior (punting a ball instead of handing it to the ballboy, walking while teammates are running, knocking away passes instead of catching them) out of any teammate? Not if Lewis is around. Lewis would hold Marshall accountable for his actions and address the situations on a personal level. It wouldn't be the first time Lewis would be in that position.

Denver still holds all the cards concerning a potential deal for Marshall. If they trade him before or during the season, they may be able to get not only a decent draft pick, they could also get a player that could immediately help them. If the Broncos wait until after the season, they could still garner a first and third round pick solely based on Marshall's talent.

I think the Jets should stay away from Marshall. His antics would only serve as a distraction. Plus, the Jets will be starting a rookie at quarterback in Mark Sanchez. I see that as more of a hinderance to Sanchez's growth. I know head coach Rex Ryan would help there. But would it be worth it to bring this diva into your locker room while you're trying to win a tough division?

Rex, just a piece of advice. Don't let it happen on your watch.

Broncos suspend Marshall

In a move that I find not at all surprising, the Denver Broncos have suspended wide receiver Brandon Marshall until Sept. 7. Marshall and head coach Josh McDaniels met this morning and it was at that meeting that Marshall was informed of the move. The reason? Conduct detrimental to the team. That's not surprising either.

A video of Marshall displaying what some would call insubordinate antics was broadcast by KMGH. The video showed Marshall punting a ball instead of handing the ball to a ballboy, walking while his teammates were running and during one drill, punching at a thrown ball instead of catching it. Marshall stated that the display was out of frustration and an error in judgement. He added that this was not an effort to get traded, although we all know he wants out of Denver unless he can get a new contract.

I applaud the Broncos organization on this move. Marshall has been a headache almost since the whole "incident" with Jay Cutler finally reached its end with Cutler being dealt to the Chicago Bears. Marshall must think that if Cutler can whine his way out of Denver, he can, too. One thing to keep in mind is that if Broncos owner Pat Bowlen decides to trade Marshall (or if he can find a team willing to take on Marshall and his extensive baggage), the city of Denver just may revolt. The Broncos would have traded their two best offensive players.

Message to Marshall: Do you honestly think the Broncos can get near the value for you as they did for Cutler? It has been rumored that it would take both a first and a third round pick to snag you. Denver would be lucky to get a third round pick due to your actions. Sure there's some interest from other teams but the Broncos also have to keep their interests (and fans) in mind.

So if you can't get traded, then you want a new contract. Why would the Broncos offer you a penny more than what you are already making knowing that you exhibit this type of behavior on the field and knowing how you conduct yourself off it? You have no leverage and that's been said over and over. Get over yourself and play. Plain and simple.

By the way, Cutler's in Denver this weekend.