NFL Trade Rumor: Is Brandon Marshall Headed For Baltimore?

(Is Baltimore that way?)

Disgruntled Denver Broncos' receiver, Brandon Marshall, is on his way out of Denver . It won't be officially known until after March, as players cannot be traded or become free agents until then.

However, NFL&id=3653" title="all signs point to an exit" target="_blank">all signs point to an exit from Denver, and the fact that the Baltimore Ravens have made it known that they need/want an upgrade at their No. 1 receiver spot, suggests Marshall is a top candidate.

And, while it's a safe bet the Broncos would like to deal Marshall out of the AFC and away from a playoff contender, the Ravens, in the end, will likely give them their best deal.

We could re-hash all the drama Marshall stirred up during last offseason. We could even make a big deal about everything that went down in Week 17, when Marshall was benched.

But that would be a waste of time. It is what it is, and it is staying that way.

Brandon Marshall and head coach Josh McDaniels, who weren't on the same page before the beginning of last season, apparently finally are. It just so happens, they both finally agree that Denver isn't where Marshall will be playing football.

No reports are making it official, but according to the Denver Post, Marshall's days in Denver are over, and the Denver brass is likely to be in the middle of working out a deal (or at least talking) with a team when March rolls around.

To further this rumor, the Baltimore Sun has reported that the Ravens have told (or at least suggested to) Derrick Mason, that if he decides not to retire in the offseason, he would be coming back as the team's No. 2 receiver.

That means Mark Clayton becomes possible trade bait, a candidate to be released, or will be demoted.

All options sound good to the Ravens front office.

So, where does Marshall fit into all of this?

He's simply a member of a solid group of receivers that are either waiting to hit the free agency market, or have their teams and agents actively shopping them.

Marshall has youth and three straight seasons of out-of-this-world production on his side, as well as a career-year in scoring. While he will undoubtedly continue to raise eyebrows for his antics, his character and overall talent should earn him an attempt before Baltimore would sink to the depths of Terrell Owens, or try to trade for Anquan Boldin or Antonio Bryant.

Marshall would fit Baltimore's scheme, as he could be a possession receiver with big-play ability, while Mason could be free to operate out of the slot or find open looks on the other side with Marshall demanding most of the attention.

We're still over a month from even beginning to chip away at Marshall (and the other's) future, but there doesn't seem to be any other way this situation could play out.

While Tampa Bay, Buffalo, and a few other teams also will be interested, the Ravens have so much more to gain, as they already are set at most of their positions, and very arguably so on offense.

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