Miami's Brandon Marshall Plan

Six foot four and over 220 pound is usually a highly impressive size for a tight end, but when combined with a receiver's soft hands and a back's field vision there's no wonder Brandon Marshall's addition to the diverse schemes of Dan Henning looks to be an upgrade in the passing game. Henning likes reverses, mis-directions, and setting up blocks before defenses even image spotting the ball carrier. Marshall appears to be a perfect fit in an offense were a diversity of skills is key for a wide open play book.

Many fellow sports writers figure this to alter Miami's game day plans and change this run oriented team to a pass happy one. They forget coach Sporano's coaching roots. He builds from the line. His two first round picks in both drafts as head coach prove that much. Miami wins when Miami runs. Marshall is selfless in his playing style. He is an extremely physical wideout who fights for the ball and is a much better run blocker that Ted Ginn Jr. was. Some writers hint that it would mean the end of Miami's wild-cat formation. However Marshall will only make such a good mis-match of personnel better. Marshall has amazing hands and makes any QB throwing to him more effective because he can catch the most poorly thrown balls.

Well Miami currently have six options at QB in any given formation, Chad Henne, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Ronnie Brown, Pat White, and Ricky Williams. Barring injuries only three will probably actually have to pass: Henne from the traditional offense, Brown from the wild-cat, and White from the pistol. Marshall figures to make them all better. Marshall has already complemented Henne's touch on the ball and his physical play makes him an apparent go to guy for the strong armed QB. Defensive coordinators usually attempt to stack the box when Brown takes the snap out of the wild-cat. Stacking the box while double covering Marshall is not possible and few teams have a corner that can actually single cover Marshall, who'll now provide Brown with an impressive option when throwing out of the formation and a large, strong blocker when running out of it. Then there's the second year White who's put on weight to become a more effective running option and started picking more at his fellow QB's brains. Although White failed to complete a pass last season, his value in adding yet another scheme became more relevant with the ball hungry Marshall's arrival. Marshall can catch any ball thrown by anyone and compile yards after the catch making White's value rise just as it does for Henne and Brown.

Marshall will also inadvertently improve Miami's secondary. When matched up constantly against a player of Marshall's caliber in practice the younger corners and safeties will see routes, habits, and execution that were not seen until game days when they were matched up against Ted Ginn Jr. in practice. There's a saying in the military that, "You practice how you fight." Now the Miami Dolphins defense are practicing to take on a higher caliber of receiver in every practice. If they observe Marshall and find ways to get the best of him in practice, then they will become more effective.