Didn’t happen with Dolphins
Lack of QB held back team during his time there, Marshall says
Bears receiver Brandon Marshall felt good about plenty of things when he played for the Miami Dolphins for two seasons. But something — make that, someone— was missing.
Quarterback and close friend Jay Cutler, perhaps?
“On the football field, I think that we were a quarterback away from having a team,” a reflective Marshall said during a conference call with Miami media on Wednesday. “Our defense was studs. Offensively, maybe we were missing a piece on the offensive line, but Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, myself, Reggie Bush, I really think we had a young group of guys that could have done some special things if we came together.
“But unfortunately, we didn’t have that opportunity. For me, I learned so much down in Miami, grew so much. I wish we could have made it work, but we didn’t.”
It’s definitely worked in Chicago, considering Marshall is a team leader and a franchise record holder. It definitely makes the Bears’ game with the Dolphins on Sunday more compelling.
General manager Phil Emery acquired Marshall from the Dolphins in 2012 for two third- round selections, which eventually turned in tight end Michael Egnew, receiver BJ Cunningham, tight end Dion Sims and cornerback Will Davis.
Since joining the Bears, Marshall’s 243 catches and 28 touchdown receptions rank second in the NFL and his 3,104 receiving yards are fourth.
During the news conference for his new $ 30 million deal with the Bears, Marshall called getting traded to the Bears a “career- saving move.” He also said that he talked with Cutler, a friend from their Denver Broncos days, throughout the 2011 season about reuniting.
For whatever the reasons, the Dolphins soured on Marshall. Chad Henne was the team’s quarterback at the time, but the 2011 season concluded his run with the Dolphins, too.
Marshall still has businesses in Florida and remains close with former teammates. Receiver Brian Hartline said he and his fiancée were invited to Marshall’s baby shower.
“But Chicago, it’s a dream come true,” Marshall said.
As for Sunday, Marshall, who is coming off a healthy and productive six- catch, 113- yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons, said matching up with cornerback Brent Grimes will have its tests.
“If I could start a team, if I was a general manager, the two corners I would start with is Grimes and Kyle Fuller,” Marshall said. “There’s no mismatch out there. This is probably going to be the best secondary we face all year.”