Posted by Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post has heard that the Jets are having “internal discussions” about Brandon Marshall.
Lombardi wrote, “I keep hearing from my Jets sources that they’re having internal discussions regarding Brandon Marshall and would love to put together a package of players that might entice the Broncos and still keep their first-round pick.”
Lombardi’s words have Jets fans in an uproar. A lot of people are against the idea of acquiring Marshall, citing his off-field problems and character issues. Other people see past his issues and see him as a talented receiver and one of the best in the league.
Whether you’d welcome Marshall or not, Lombardi’s report doesn’t mean the Jets are getting him.
People praise Lombardi for being accurate with his reporting, but Lombardi is only reporting that the Jets are having “internal discussions” about Marshall, not that a trade is in place. So, yes, Lombardi is dead on with his reporting again, but that doesn’t mean a trade is imminent. All it means is that they are talking about it and trying to come up with a package of players that the Broncos would consider. The Broncos aren’t even involved in the report other than being the team that has Marshall under contract.
I’m sure the Jets’ brass have “internal discussions” about a lot of guys in the NFL. That’s their job. It’s called doing their due diligence. This shouldn’t be as big of a deal as it is. They talk about players everyday and try to come up with possible trade packages for several players throughout an off-season.
Sure the Jets are interested in Marshall. They flirted with the idea last off-season. They were reported to have the opportunity to trade for Marshall last summer but the Broncos asked for middle linebacker David Harris in return and the Jets weren’t making that trade. This time around, Lombardi’s report suggests that the Jets are trying to get together a package that doesn’t include their first round pick.
What kind of package could “entice” the Broncos without including a first round pick? The Jets would have to create a package around a pretty good player in order to make it worth the Broncos’ while. The Jets have built a very good team, why trade away a decent piece for Marshall? The only way a trade happens is if the Broncos are truly sick of Marshall’s act, don’t have any other teams pursuing Marshall, and would want either Jerricho Cotchery or Braylon Edwards in the trade (along with other pieces such as their second round pick).
Discussions are discussions. When the Jets make an official offer to the Broncos for Marshall, then we can talk about Marshall more in depth. Until then, the Jets are going to discuss players. Let’s not get over-carried away in either direction of liking Marshall or hating him as a possible Jets because the Jets are far away from acquiring the troubled receiver.
Post By Rich Santonocito