Thursday the Miami Dolphins assessed their biggest need when they went out and acquired super diva Brandon Marshall from Denver. While the Dolphins know what they are getting on the field with Marshall, locker room performance is always a toss up for him. How will one of the league's most high maintenance receivers deal with an offense where he may be plan C, or even D? Miami runs the wild cat down to the core; but if they are going to keep their new pro-bowl toy happy, things will change, fast.
The Dolphins creativity and unpredictability has tagged them as a surprise team in each of the last two seasons. Tony Sparano as well as Bill Parcells brought the wildcat to the NFL, as one of the first teams to ever consistently utilize a tactic usually found in the NCAA. Now that more and more teams are adopting the wildcat into their systems, the Dolphins could very well be removing it from theirs. Their other option: Ignore Brandon Marshall and his long list of needs and pay the price of being torn apart in the media. Over the last couple of years Marshall has posted better numbers than the whole Dolphins receiving core, and that is no coincidence. Marshall is a super star receiver, but to have an affect on a game he needs to get his touches. Miami will stray from the wild cat if they want to, keep Marshall happy, and two, get their money's worth. But straying away from the wild cat means the loss of a franchise identity.
The Dolphins have not valued the quarterback position over the last couple of seasons solely because their offense doesn't call for one. With Chad Henne or Chad Pennington behind center this year, a good relationship with Marshall will be key. Josh McDaniel will not be there to keep him sane. The bottom line is that the Dolphins do not have the game plan nor the quarterback to accommodate a receiver with that much baggage. A good signing for Miami? Chalk one up for theory, not for reality.
JD
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