Brandon Marshall = deep threat?

[Phishfan]

Why do Dolphin fans think of Brandon Marshall as a deep threat receiver? I am continually seeing him referred to that on this board. IMO Marshall can go deep, but isn't the type of receiver that is normally called a deep threat. The guy is big and strong. He has made an entire career of being known as a tackle breaker, not as a burner. So why does everyone call him a deep threat receiver?

[Dolphster]

Why do Dolphin fans think of Brandon Marshall as a deep threat receiver? I am continually seeing him referred to that on this board. IMO Marshall can go deep, but isn't the type of receiver that is normally called a deep threat. The guy is big and strong. He has made an entire career of being known as a tackle breaker, not as a burner. So why does everyone call him a deep threat receiver?

On any other team I don't think he is necessarily a deep threat.  Compared to the rest of the Dolphin receiver corps, he is the closest thing they have to a "deep threat".   Hartline probably has the speed to be a deep threat, but not sure his route running is good enough to be a threat. 

[fyo]

Marshall actually has decent deep production this year. Going by yards in the air (pass length), in percentages of total passes (short is up to 10 yards, medium up to 20, long is 21+):

Marshall: 60% short, 34% medium, 6% long.
Bess: 87% short, 13% medium, 0% long.
Hartline: 64% short, 36% medium, 0% long.

(numbers are from BEFORE the Ravens game, source ESPN)

Compare that with Randy Moss last year:  56.5% short, 34% medium, 9.5% long.

[JVides]

Some guys are deep threats because they are really fast.  Others are deep threats because they possess some other rare skill or attribute.

Marshall is very tall, and very physical.  He is the kind of guy that will take the ball away from a corner and safety that are bracketing him.  Therefore, he is a deep threat.

[MikeO]

He doesn't have blazing speed, but his YAC numbers have always been great. Problem is in Miami he has a bad coaching staff calling the offensive plays (not Mike Shannanan or even Josh McDaniels) and he has no legit #2 WR opposite him to get the saftey off his butt every play. Bess is a nice player a great 3rd WR, but not a legit #2 WR with any speed who helps Marshall

[JVides]

^^^MikeO, we have to have perspective here.  Marshall is on pace for 104 catches and 1,236 yards.  Bess is on track for 88 and 902 yards.  That, folks, is NOT bad.  The problem is in TD receptions, as Marshall only has 1 and Bess 3.

It goes back to this:  when Miami reaches the "Red Zone", it goes into an offensive shell so that it at the very least gets a FG.  This is really the only area where Marshall could/should be complaining.  As for Bess, he's getting open and moving the chains.  That's what a #2 guy is supposed to do, as far as I'm concerned.

If Marshall had the same stats, but 6 TDs to this point, everybody would be crowing.  He may very well hit 100 catches again this year (and no Miami receiver has been able to say that since...ever?)

[fyo]

He may very well hit 100 catches again this year (and no Miami receiver has been able to say that since...ever?)

The record for most receptions as a Dolphin belongs to O.J. McDuffie with 90 catches in the 1998 season.

[masterfins]

^^^MikeO, we have to have perspective here.  Marshall is on pace for 104 catches and 1,236 yards.  Bess is on track for 88 and 902 yards.  That, folks, is NOT bad.  The problem is in TD receptions, as Marshall only has 1 and Bess 3.

It goes back to this:  when Miami reaches the "Red Zone", it goes into an offensive shell so that it at the very least gets a FG.  This is really the only area where Marshall could/should be complaining.  As for Bess, he's getting open and moving the chains.  That's what a #2 guy is supposed to do, as far as I'm concerned.

If Marshall had the same stats, but 6 TDs to this point, everybody would be crowing.  He may very well hit 100 catches again this year (and no Miami receiver has been able to say that since...ever?)

Overall I agree with you, however Marshall doesn't have 6 TD's.  If he did have six TD's we would have two more wins, and may have been a little more competitive in a third.

[JVides]

^^^Right.  point being:  the problem isn't getting Marshall the ball enough.  He's getting fed.  The problem is continuing to feed him in the Red Zone.

[masterfins]

^^^And/Or perhaps hit him in stride for a 40 or 50 yd TD play.  I still recall how Marino used to throw the ball down low (knee high) right at the front pylon (sp.?), I never see a QB make that throw anymore.