Brandon Marshall

[DESERTDWELLER]

Just over a year ago, new Bears' General Manager Phil Emery make a huge move on the first day of free agency by acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins for two third-round picks. It was a coup for the Bears, and Marshall didn't disappoint in his first season in Chicago. He broke single season team records for catches (118) and receiving yards (1,508) and was the only constant productive player on a hit-and-miss Bears' offense.

But Marshall's impact on the Bears' thus far goes much further than simply being Jay Cutler's BFF. Listening to the press conference introducing new Bears' Jermon Bushrod and Martellus Bennett, Bennett talked about the impact Marshall has had on him despite them never playing on the same team before.

Said Bennett:

"He's a guy I look up to for the way he plays and the type of person that he is. So I've been talking to him for a couple of years. I've been in the league for six years. I've probably been talking to Brandon for about four years. He's been a good person to have in my life on and off the field. After I heard I was getting a chance to play with him, I felt like he's the guy who always wants to win, is a champion. Those kinds of guys help you get better. So he expressed his need to want to get better. I think he's gonna help me take my game to another level, which is a reason why I came here."

Remember that one year ago there were questions about Marshall's involvement in a possible assault, and his acknowledgement that his diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) was an ongoing battle that he was undergoing treatment for. And here he is being lauded by Bennett, who Marshall had never played with previously, for setting a proper example and being a sage-like guide on how to improve himself on and off the field. Obviously Marshall's place on the Bears' roster had a positive effect on Bennett considering whether or not to join up with Chicago.

That kind of leadership is something the Bears have lacked offensively for quite some time. On defense, you have had veterans willing to speak their mind and/or set an example, including: Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, Chris Harris, Julius Peppers, Israel Idonije, and down the roster and back in time to Hunter Hillenmeyer. On offense, its a different story. The offensive lineman have Roberto Garza (and Olin Kreutz before him) to look up to, but that's pretty much it. Matt Forte is a quiet guy (unless he's unhappy with his contract) and hard worker, but not a leader. The rest of the skill position players on offense... Earl Bennett? Devin Hester? Matt Spaeth? No, no, no. That leaves one other guy, and let's just say he does things in his own special way.

Marshall so far has filled the leadership void on offense in about any way possible. He works his butt off in the offseason to be in the best shape possible; you never hear about him slacking off or alligator-arming a throw over the middle. He's a willing blocker and doesn't takes his complaints public if he's not seeing a ton of passes his way. He's supportive of his teammates and coaches, but not afraid to demand more from everyone. He's taken young guys like Evan Rodriguez and Alshon Jeffrey under his considerable wings; inviting them (and the "Black Unicorn") to work out with Marshall this offseason.

Said Marshall about Jeffrey:

"If he just changes some little things, the way he approaches the game as far as physically and mentally, he's going to be a beast... but just getting him with the right people, nutritionists, trainer, chiropractors and all that stuff. (It's about) showing him the other side of the business, showing him it's not just about coming to work and going on the field."

A year ago Bears' fan were ecstatic about the addition of Marshall, but few of us would have thought things would have worked out so well in such a short amount of time. His presence gives the Bears' leadership on offense, which means "Jay being Jay" hasn't blown up into a Jeff George situation. Yes, Marshall didn't help Chicago get to the Super Bowl (yet), or even the playoffs, but he has finally given the Bears a chance from a player-driven prospective to be viewed as an enticing place for offensive players to join, develop, and play at a high level. As opposed to the old view summed up by Muhsin Muhammad: "Chicago is where receivers go to die."

http://www.windycitygridiron.com/201...-marshall-lead

TBH, I always thought BMarsh was a jerk because of his days in Denver. I thought he was nothing but a headcase and not worth the time. Since he realized that he had issues and started to work on his "head", he seems to have really matured.

He's a better WR then I thought and this leadership he has really impresses me. I'm excited to see how better Alshon, ERod, & the Black Unicorn get by working out with him.

It's good to see leadership develope and I really hope this continues!

Props to BMarsh!

[GeorgiaBear]

http://www.windycitygridiron.com/201...-marshall-lead

TBH, I always thought BMarsh was a jerk because of his days in Denver. I thought he was nothing but a headcase and not worth the time. Since he realized that he had issues and started to work on his "head", he seems to have really matured.

He's a better WR then I thought and this leadership he has really impresses me. I'm excited to see how better Alshon, ERod, & the Black Unicorn get by working out with him.

It's good to see leadership develope and I really hope this continues!

Props to BMarsh!

Well said

[HesterJordan23]

Bmarsh is hands down my favorite player in the nfl

[bearfanrp]

Such a steal for 2 3rd Round picks. I would give up a 3rd every year he plays and still think the Bears are getting a steal.

[sdrobert]

If I could have children with Brandon Marshal I would.

Such a steal for 2 3rd Round picks. I would give up a 3rd every year he plays and still think the Bears are getting a steal.

[mikebrez bears/]

I like how bmarsh did all this under the radar

[Ditka'sMustache]

With all of the new deals WR are getting Marshall just keeps showing how much of a steal he really was. He's my current favorite Bear. And props to Emery for taking a risk when his value was at his lowest.

[BcEuAbRsS]

#cautious

[Cub_StuckinSTL]

Hey guys remember when we got Brandon Marshall?

[SDBearsFan]

Him and Peppers are by leaps and bounds my two favorite Bears...so fortunate to have a real #1 wide receiver and a beast at that. Long gone are the days of Marcus Robinson, Curtis Conway, Marty Booker, and Moose...

[Doogolas]

The best part is how absurdly intelligent he is. Which, by the way, is I think why Jay likes him so much. He seems to REALLY hate stupid people and get on them constantly. Knox, Hester, Webb. I don't think Jay can handle idiots.

[Cub_StuckinSTL]

He's a willing blocker

Might be my favorite part of the article. Hes not about himself. He'll do whatever it takes for the team and he seems to always be the first person there to congratulate team mates when they do something right. I think it was forte who scored a td and bmarsh came running out of no where and frog splashed him.

[BigMac83]

Marshall is what the Bears have needed for so long in so many ways. He's a vocal leader, a hard worker, a recruiter, and a true number one. A big part of why I WANT so badly for Cutty to kill this year is because Marshall wants nothing more than to be a winner and if Cutty leaves it may be even harder to keep Marshall here.

[debo]

BMarsh makes me harder than a priest on a Boy Scout retreat.

Such an incredible talent and man.

[Jordan Rules]

Good decision in bringing him here. Marshall has shown his worth. A lot of people questioned him coming here and Marshall just keeps proving his quality.