Marshall asking for an elite QB: Is he out of line?

[Dave Gray]

Here's the article that quotes Marshall: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/31/2615879/pro-bowl-mvp-brandon-marshall.html

Is he out of line to publicly asked for a better QB? 

He does give Moore credit for a good season, but in the same sentence, asks for an elite QB to come in and compete.

Should we NOT get that QB upgrade, does this put unnecessary pressure on the WR/QB relationship?

[MikeO]

Marshall made a possible "situation" where there didn't need to be one. While everything he is saying is 100% correct and anyone with a brain knows Matt Moore isn't the answer and is a marginal NFL QB on his best day, there is a better way for Brandon to go about this.

Matt Moore is in an awful spot now. If Miami doesn't land a big name (RGIII, Flynn, Peyton) and the Dolphins have dropped the ball on trying to land big names recently (Harbaugh and Fisher) then Matt Moore will be QB by default most likely for at least 1 year and now you have your star WR coming out against Moore with these "backhanded compliments" and that's exactly what they are, backhanded compliments. Oh he was good last year but we need someone better! I am sure Moore is saying to himself, Oh jees, thanks for the kind F'n words!

Marshall threw Moore under the bus in the NFL.com article before the pro bowl and he threw him under the bus on NBC in front of the world on the post game after the pro bowl. Just shut up about it! No QB likes DIVA WR's and Brandon is coming off like a DIVA now! He needs to Just shut up about it and hopefully Miami gets an upgrade at QB next year. Brandon doesn't need to be acting this way, but I am not surprised by it given his track record of "drama" on and off the field.

[Spider-Dan]

- Dolphins' brass makes clumsy overtures towards anyone and everyone that might be available.  This is OK, because Matt Moore is a professional and can deal with adversity.
- Brandon Marshall states the obvious, which is backed by the actions of his ownership.  Oh no!  Matt Moore is devastated and this will ruin their relationship.

I wonder if it would have been "acceptable" for Marshall to simply say, "Well, given that the front office is looking for a QB, I hope we can get a great player"?

[MikeO]

Dolphins' brass makes overtures towards anyone and everyone that might be available.  This is OK, because Matt Moore is a professional and can deal with adversity.
Brandon Marshall states the obvious, which is backed by the actions of his ownership.  Oh no!  Matt Moore is devastated and this will ruin their relationship.

I get your point. And while not fair, there is a "double standard"

When ownership is making eyes at other players, "its business" and it can be accepted

When your teammate does it, that is a whole different ballgame. It just is. It's a different dynamic.

And I understand your point and I even agree on some level, but it's just the nature of the beast. Brandon has to just stay quiet now and not make anymore noise on this subject. He can recruit Flynn behind the scenes all he wants, but no more public statements on it.

[el diablo]

Ownership & Brandon showed a lack of civility. When management does it, all it does is give the green light for everyone else.  How would ownership feel if Brandon came out & said, "These guys have no clue how to run a franchise?" Yes, I feel he was out of line to say that publicly.

But this is the NFL. Where loyalty & honor go to die upon signing your name upon the dotted line.

[Spider-Dan]

I get your point. And while not fair, there is a "double standard"

When ownership is making eyes at other players, "its business" and it can be accepted

When your teammate does it, that is a whole different ballgame. It just is. It's a different dynamic.

Here's the thing:  when ownership was stringing JT along, it was a big deal, because JT is a Dolphin icon.  Moore is not; he is a journeyman QB and should not expect people to act like the job is his to lose.  He needs to be playing every game as if his job is on the line.

Marshall didn't go out and publicly disrespect a franchise QB (like, say, players on the Jets are doing with Sanchez).  His front office is actively trying to find a new QB this year, and Marshall wanted to point out that for all the people who say that he's fallen off, he is still a major factor with a quality QB at the helm.  And I think he proved his point as well as he could.

[MikeO]

Here's the thing:  when ownership was stringing JT along, it was a big deal, because JT is a Dolphin icon.  Moore is not; he is a journeyman QB and should not expect people to act like the job is his to lose.  He needs to be playing every game as if his job is on the line.

Marshall didn't go out and publicly disrespect a franchise QB (like, say, players on the Jets are doing with Sanchez).  His front office is actively trying to find a new QB this year, and Marshall wanted to point out that for all the people who say that he's fallen off, he is still a major factor with a quality QB at the helm.  And I think he proved his point as well as he could.

Totally agree. But if Miami is stuck with Moore next year, Marshall has just undermined him heading into next year. How can Moore control a huddle or an offense when the star WR just said to the world, we need someone better at QB!  And that leads to stuff like what we saw with the Jets this year and Holmes. And fighting in the huddle and guys quitting and starting trouble. I am not saying Marshall is Holmes or Marshall will quit. That's not what I am saying, so please don't anyone spin it that way. What I am saying is this is the kind of stuff that leads to that happening on a team with players.

Because look, from all the reports, Peyton Manning is done. He ain't playing again from what it sounds like. Or at the very least he might not play in 2012 and have to take another year off. But it looks like he is done. Trading up for RGIII might be tough if not impossible. Now, Brian Gaine interviewed in St.Louis for their GM job today, if he leaves us for that job it would help Ireland and the Fins if they want to make that trade up. Dealing with someone ya know. Ireland and Gaine are tight. And as we saw with the Matt Cassle deal between Pioli and Belichick, guys like to deal with their buddies!  But the Browns with 2 first round picks and with Fisher/Shannhan as BFF's, its no lock Miami can get RGIII. With Flynn, you got an ex-Packer as GM in Seattle who is tight with the Packers management. He could tell the Pack, hey look franchise him and this is what I will give ya just to BLOCK a team like Miami from having the opportunity to talk to and get their hands on Flynn. It's no lock Flynn is coming to Miami by any means. I think Miami has an edge because GB will want Flynn OUT of the NFC and not have to deal with him so trading him to Seattle might not be ideal for them. In fact they could use that to force Miami's hand if they even franchise him at all. But its not a given Flynn to Miami by any means.

Point being, Miami MAY be stuck with Moore next year. And "STUCK WITH" i the key words. The front office doesn't want him, Marshall doesn't want him, any fan with a clue who understands NFL football doesn't want him. If they have to trot him out as QB next year Week 1 its not because they didn't try to replace him. So Marshall, while everything he is saying is 100% true, has to shut up now! He got it off his chest, he made his point. The damage thus far isn't extreme. If he continues though he is stirring a volatile pot that will blow up down the road.

[el diablo]

Well, Mike you make quite a few valid points. The main one being you don't undermine a teammate.  No one says you have to like your teammate, but you don't make statements like that. Especially when you witness a team meltdown.  At the same time, it sends the wrong message to any potential incoming QB.

Here's the thing:  when ownership was stringing JT along, it was a big deal, because JT is a Dolphin icon.  Moore is not; he is a journeyman QB and should not expect people to act like the job is his to lose.  He needs to be playing every game as if his job is on the line.

Marshall didn't go out and publicly disrespect a franchise QB (like, say, players on the Jets are doing with Sanchez).  His front office is actively trying to find a new QB this year, and Marshall wanted to point out that for all the people who say that he's fallen off, he is still a major factor with a quality QB at the helm.  And I think he proved his point as well as he could.

It doesn't matter if Moore was a "franchise" QB or not. He's still a teammate.

[Pappy13]

Is he out of line to publicly asked for a better QB?

 
No and Matt Moore wouldn't be out of line for suggesting Miami get better WR's either. Nothing wrong with hoping for better team mates. I'm pretty sure that's what every player does every off season.

Should we NOT get that QB upgrade, does this put unnecessary pressure on the WR/QB relationship?

Not if they're both professionals, but that remains to be seen.

[masterfins]

I get your point. And while not fair, there is a "double standard"

When ownership is making eyes at other players, "its business" and it can be accepted

When your teammate does it, that is a whole different ballgame. It just is. It's a different dynamic.

And I understand your point and I even agree on some level, but it's just the nature of the beast. Brandon has to just stay quiet now and not make anymore noise on this subject. He can recruit Flynn behind the scenes all he wants, but no more public statements on it.

I agree with you Mike, although I don't think its a double standard, because its apples and oranges when comparing management and players comments.  I didn't have a problem with Moore making the comments about playing with Pro Bowl QB's, at the Pro Bowl, but now he's out of line.  If Moore is the QB next year, which is a strong possibility for at least a part of the season, I'm sure he'll look the other way whenever possible, which may not be the best for the Dolphins.  He's injecting strife into the locker room when he doesn't need too.  I was warming back up to MArshall after his early dropped TD's, but this is a setback.

[Pappy13]

Trading up for RGIII might be tough if not impossible.

Miami doesn't get RGIII unless he falls to #9 (Or whatever pick Miami currently has in the first round). They aren't trading up for RGIII, it's a pipe dream to think they are. Moore easily played well enough to go with him if they can't land a free agent and there are going to be a couple out there. They're not gonna handcuff a brand new head coach by putting up the draft picks that they will certainly have to surrender to move up enough to get him. He's gonna want to bring in some guys that meet his criteria and the best way to do that is in the draft. He's gonna want to keep every pick they got. I'm already betting on them picking up a QB in 2nd or later rounds and that might be even if they do get a free agent like Flynn or Manning.

[Landshark]

Marshall showed what he can do with an elite quarterback throwing him the ball.  Pro Bowl MVP.  Enough said.

[miamid45]

Exactly....he's saying what we all know...haven't had a stud since Marino...period!

[MikeO]

Marshall showed what he can do with an elite quarterback throwing him the ball.  Pro Bowl MVP.  Enough said.

oh please. You realize the game has special rules on defense. No zone. No blitzing. Defense MUST be in a 4-3 formation at all times. No CB's in press coverage unless inside the 5 yard line. No stunts and twists. It's not a real game! You can't judge stats in a pro bowl. Like I said the other night, congrats to him for winning the MVP award. But keep everything perspective. It literally means nothing

[MikeO]

Matt Moore is getting hit everywhere now....lol lol

Don Shula was on WQAM yesterday and he said he has met with Philbin and likes him and all. When asked if he gave any advice to Philbin he said, yeah find someone to plug into the quarterback position.


Matt Moore probably wakes up every morning and says, ok who is gonna beat me up in the press today! ha ha ha