Can Brandon Marshall turn back the clock for the Seahawks?
The Seahawks landed the big receiver they’ve wanted for years. Can Brandon Marshall really turn back the clock and light it up?
The Seahawks watched 101 receptions and 16 touchdowns walk away this offseason, as both Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson went to new teams. A lot of people wondered how Seattle would replace those catches. Now we know Brandon Marshall is expected to be a big part of the answer.
Well, maybe he will be. Marshall has racked up some huge numbers over his career. He has six seasons with over 100 catches, with a career high of 118 in 2012 with the Chicago Bears. Marshall has topped 1,000 receiving yards eight times. His career high of 1,508 also came in 2012. That was back when Jay Cutler resembled an NFL quarterback.
And there’s the rub. At times Marshall has been one of the best receivers in the league. His best seasons would replace Graham and Richardson’s combined output last year. Unfortunately he’s also had some very forgettable seasons. Take his second, and last, season with the New York Jets for example. It was truly forgettable.
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Marshall had a great first season with the Jets in 2015. He had over 100 catches, over 1,500 yards and a career high 14 touchdown catches. The wheels came off in 2016. He only caught 46 percent of his targets, saw his receptions drop from 109 to 59, and had three touchdowns. It’s no surprise the Jets happily watched him go to the Giants.
If the wheels came off with the Jets, the engine block cracked with the Giants. After just 18 catches for 154 yards in five games, Marshall injured his ankle and was gone for the season. Given that Marshall averaged just 8.6 yards per catch and had zero touchdowns, it isn’t surprising the Giants allowed him to take his talents elsewhere in 2018.