NFL Miami Dolphins: Brandon Marshall Fires Back at Critics

Brandon Marshall was recently criticized for his efforts during the Sunday Night game last week by NFL Network analysts, among them Shannon Sharpe and Solomon Wilcotts. 

Sharpe stated that Marshall was "out of gas;" Mike Maylock, the show's host, agreed. 

But today while talking to the media, Marshall, who had 10 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, including a 37-yard reception on the final drive, rebuked those criticisms. 

"They never coached," he said Thursday. "They need to continue to do what they do best, and stop worrying about other things they don't know anything about."

"I don't honestly think those guys were elite players, including Sterling Sharpe," Marshall said. "I've got to turn on the film and see what he was able to do. I know he did some good things, but my understanding is he's not a Hall of Fame guy."

Despite Marshall's statements, it should be noted that Sterling Sharpe was a three-time All-Pro with the Green Bay Packers before retiring because of a neck injury in 1994. He also went to the Pro Bowl five times, and had 595 receptions for 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns in only seven years.

Marshall said that his stats speak for themselves. He was covered the whole night by Antonio Cromartie, a pro-bowler in his own right back in 2007.

"I went against one of the better corners in the league," Marshall said. "I'm not going to win them all."

When asked, Coach Sparano smiled and cited Marshall's statistics from that game, stating "Out of gas? I want to go to that gas station."

Sporano also found no issues with Marshall's response to the criticism, stating: "If somebody made a comment, Brandon has all the right in the world to defend himself."

Marshall is currently on pace to pass 100-plus catches for the fourth consecutive year.

Marshall's response can be found in the video.

This week, Marshall and the Dolphins take on the Patriots in a key Monday Night game that could potentially be important in the AFC East and in the AFC wild-card races, and Marshall is excited about the matchup.

"I'm so passionate," he said. "I turn into a different person. That's what helped me be successful in my young career. Just watch me Monday night before kickoff. I'll be down in the end zone where we come out, getting that section riled up."

Marshall's energy will be key for the Dolphins and he will likely be used extensively against a weak Patriots secondary, which has already given up an average of 261 yards per game in the first three games of the season: against Bengals QB Carson Palmer (a Patriots W); Mark Sanchez and the Jets (the Pats' lone loss); and against Buffalo Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in his first start of the season, in which the Pats allowed 247 yards (another Pats W). They have the 25th ranked passing defense in the NFL.

The Dolphins meanwhile are only 18th in the NFL in passing, but last week against the Jets, Chad Henne threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

The hope is that the effort continues against the Pats.

This was a Dolfan Diaries attempt at a real news story. Here's My NFL Week 4 Picks.