MARSHALL: I GOT TA CATCH UP
Marshall admits: ‘I’ve got to play better’
Brandon Marshall knows plenty of people, not just Jets fans, probably are upset with his slow start.
“Not a good start to the season to have me on your fantasy [team],” Marshall joked at his locker Wednesday.
Marshall is not as concerned about fantasy points as he is about real points. He has yet to get into the end zone this season, the first time he has gone without a touchdown in the first three games of a season since his rookie year. After having just one game with three catches last season, he has been held to that number in two of the Jets’ first three games.
“We have to be more consistent on our end, and it starts with guys like [Ryan Fitzpatrick] and myself,” Marshall said. “I’ve got to play better. I haven’t scored a touchdown this year. I haven’t done a great job of getting open. I have to f ind a way to make more plays and make the tough plays.”
In fairness to Marshall, he played last week against the Chiefs at less than 100 percent after suffering a knee injury in the win over the Bills the week before. He said the knee feels better this week, and he practiced fully Wednesday. Marshall has not used the knee as an excuse.
This week, things won’t get easier. The Jets play the Seahawks on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, meaning the Legion of Boom is in town. Marshall will see Seattle’s star cornerback, Richard Sherman, for a good chunk of the game. Sherman usually plays on one side and does not follow a specific wide receiver, so the Jets can manipulate the matchup with formations, but Marshall said he knows he will face Sherman for some of the game.
“He’s a really good corner, one of the best in the league. He’s tough ,” Marshall said. “He’s savvy and he’s really smart. He knows exactly what’s going on. He’s going to know by formation. He’s going to know by my alignment what I can possibly run, the top three things we run from those looks.”
No one around the Jets seems to have an easy explanation for why Marshall has not been more involved in the offense. Teams are double- tea ming him, but that happened last year, too— and he had 109 catches. Fitzpatrick has targeted Marshall 27 times this year, but completed just 12 of those passes — for a total of 160 yards on the season.
“I’m sure they’re paying attention to him,” coach Todd Bowles said of the Jets’ opponents. “They were paying attention to him last year. We just have to find better ways to get him the ball. It’s early on so we still have some kinks we’re working out. We’re going to make sure we get him the ball.”
Fitzpatrick is aware of the need to get Marshall the ball, but he also wants to be cautious not to force things.
“It’s a fine line,” Fitzpatrick said. “I can’t force him balls. I can’t try to force-feed him. When it’s there I’ve got to take it. When it’s not, I have to go elsewhere. We have a lot of talent on offense to be able to spread the ball out.”
Eric Decker sat out Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury that sounds potentially serious. If Decker is out, that means Seattle can pay even more attention to Marshall.
The 32-year-old receiver said he can’t worry about how teams defend him. He just has to find ways to win those matchups.
“That’s part of the game,” Marshall said. “It’s a sign of respect. When t hey’re not doubling you or paying attention to you, probably your days a re over or close to being over. The good players f ind a way to get it done no matter what they’re throwing at you.
“It’s not going to be easy, but I feel like I can make those plays when it’s tough and I haven’t done that yet, and I have to do that for my teammates.”