Pro Bowl 2012: MVP Game Proves Brandon Marshall Can Be Elite with Good QB

If the Miami Dolphins can find wide receiver Brandon Marshall a legit quarterback to throw him the ball, he can become one of the elite wideouts in the NFL.

That's not as much a knock on him as it is a testament to the high standard the word elite carries in the NFL.

Marshall is a great wide receiver in the NFL—with 6,247 yards and 34 touchdowns in his six-year career—but he is nowhere near elite.

That being said, he has the physical skills, speed and play-making ability to be one of the best in the league, so what exactly is the problem?

Look no further than the 2012 Pro Bowl for the answer to that question.

Marshall put up an epic game in the Pro Bowl and actually came away as the MVP. He was the dominant wide receiver in the game and truly showed off his skills among the elite players of the NFL.

He notched six receptions for 177 yards and four touchdowns, including a tipped touchdown catch laying on his back in the end zone.

Playing among the best players in the league, Marshall stood out as elite—but there's a catch.

Instead of catching balls from Matt Moore—no offense— he was catching perfect passes from Philip Rivers, Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger.

Would it be that much of a stretch to think that Marshall can play at this elite level if the Dolphins have a good quarterback throwing him the ball?

I don't see that being a stretch whatsoever.

Whether it be through free agency, with the most notable quarterback being Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn, or through the 2012 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins need to address their situation at quarterback.

It's been a long time since they had a franchise quarterback under center, and it's rather obvious the team has suffered because of that.

After watching him play in the Pro Bowl, it's rather obvious that Marshall has suffered from the lack of good quarterback play as well.

He can be elite, but he needs to be able to have somebody under center who can get him the ball.

The Dolphins had a disappointing season, but a performance like this in the Pro Bowl shows that they aren't that far off.

With a new quarterback and a few extra pieces via the draft and free agency, the Dolphins can construct a good team.

Brandon Marshall can be the elite centerpiece of that.