Why I weep for society

Let's take a look at the football outsider's comments section to get a sampling of what people think about the Brandon Marshall trade.

"The deals aren't rare. It's just that the team that gets the WR never gets the productivity they believe they're acquiring.

Deion Branch may be a bad example because only Seattle really thought he was a #1 - but regardless he was certainly a young guy who looked like his best days were ahead of him.

There's always Roy Williams, Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, etc. I'm sure if I gave it some thought I could come up with more names. But the history is that they never seem to live up to their billing."

Of course none of those receivers are as good as Marshall, but whatever.

"Have we done a background check on Josh McDaniels? Could he be an embedded Raider?"

This guy had the same thought I did. Bravo sir.

"Adding high profile jerks to your team most of the time does not make you that much better."

This comes from a self-professed Patriots fan. I love how Patriots fans think their team is just above reproach. Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth...upstanding citizens, all of them.

"Remember though that the coach was Josh "I'm over-compensating for something" McDaniels."

Exactly. McDaniels' napoleon complex is like spotting a toupee.

"Why wasn't Ted Ginn part of this deal?"

Because Ted Ginn is a fucking bum. Next question...

"He's not really a deep threat ( which doesn't matter in Denver's offense, anyway ), aside from some good YAC numbers from year to year. Is he replacable? Yes, I think so, particulary in McD's offense. Getting two #2's is not bad for a guy everybody knew they didn't want to keep."

I like how this guy flippantly disregards Marshall's YAC numbers. Aside from being a big, physical receiver with good speed, good hands, plays the ball extremely well in the air, tough runner after the catch...besides all of that, Marshall sucks. I also like the justification "for a guy everybody knew they didn't want to keep." No consideration to the fact that maybe the Broncos are wrong for not wanting to keep Marshall.

"Homerism at its best.

McD's unique "Five Yard Bubble Screen Offense" will be humming without Marshall's pesky YAC."

Head, meet hammer.

"If you tried to draft a #1 WR with a 2nd round pick, how many tries would it take you to land a receiver of Marshall's caliber?"

This is a good point, but it's fair to mention that Marshall himself was a 4th round pick, so obviously players of that caliber can be found later. It just becomes exponentially harder the later into the draft you get.



I like 2nd round picks as much as anybody, but I think for Marshall you've got to get a first rounder. I know he has an attitude problem, but for fuck's sake, what does the coach get paid for exactly? If you can't manage a group of professional athletes, then Pat Bowlen should spend his millions on someone who can. I think this trade is potentially disastrous for Denver. They aren't a good team, which their 2-8 finish last season can attest to, and they shouldn't be trying to unload every good young player they have. Marshall's a bitch...big deal, deal with it.

If Pat Bowlen had just simply hired Leslie Frazier or someone else to be his head coach, he'd probably have Cutler and Marshall still on his roster, and a dynamic passing game. Instead, he'd better hope to god that McDaniels really is a maniacal genius rather than just a fucking maniac with a napoleon complex.