Brandon Marshall Film Review

[BroadwayJets]

http://turnonthejets.com/2015/03/toj-film-room-new-york-jets-wr-brandon-marshall/#more-26337

 

 

To say the New York Jets have lacked production from the wide receiver position in recent seasons would be an understatement. Eric Decker managed a respectable 74 receptions for 962 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2014 despite missing time with injuries and abysmal quarterbacking. However, prior to that here is the Jets leading receiver every season since Jerricho Cotchery eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2007:

• 2008: Jerricho Cotchery – 71 receptions, 858 yards, 5 touchdowns
• 2009: Jerricho Cotchery – 57 receptions, 821 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2010: Braylon Edwards – 53 receptions, 904 yards, 7 touchdowns
• 2011: Santonio Holmes – 51 receptions, 654 yards, 8 touchdowns
• 2012: Jeremy Kerley – 56 receptions, 827 yards, 2 touchdowns
• 2013: Jeremy Kerley – 43 receptions, 523 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2014: Eric Decker – 74 receptions, 962 yards, 5 touchdowns

Enter Brandon Marshall, who was acquired for a 5th round pick this off-season. Marshall has been over 1,000 yards in seven of his last eight seasons and exceeded ten touchdowns in three of those years. In 2014, a lung and rib injury kept him out of the final 3.5 games of the season but he still managed 721 yards and eight touchdowns. Marshall has found success throughout his career despite playing with an erratic Jay Cutler, Josh McCown, Matt Moore, Chad Henne, and Kyle Orton.

Let’s take a deeper dive into Marshall’s game and how it could be integrated into the 2015 New York Jets offense…

 

Marshall stands at 6’4, 230 pounds with a tremendous catch radius. At first glance, it is logical to assume he will fit primarily as the offense’s “X” receiver, book ending a twin tower duo on the outside with Decker. Marshall will spend his share of time on the outside but don’t pigeonhole his location on the offense. Despite lacking top end vertical speed, Marshall has quick feet and the ability to run routes with impressive precision. Prior to his injury last season, he spent over 49% of his offensive snaps in the slot, a position he has had success with throughout his career.

Marshall is not a body catcher and generally does a very good job of attacking the football and snatching it with his hands. However, he has been prone to drops at different points throughout his career, primarily due to a lack of concentration while attempting to run before securing the football. Marshall is a a beast after the catch but can let his desire to run with the football lead to mental lapses.

For Jets fans looking for some type of comparison to a player they have seen recently on the team’s roster, think of Braylon Edwards’ 2010 season, his best year in New York. Edwards at his best for the Jets was a poor man’s Marshall, who lacked the same route running ability, flexibility in the slot and overall YAC threat.

As mentioned earlier, Marshall does a good amount of his damage from the slot. This route below is a clinic on how to play wide receiver. He gets a clean release using his hands, stacks the cover man while staying on his route stem, sits in the chair to sell his route to the outside and then snaps inside for a chain moving reception.

Later in the same game, Marshall again releases from the slot as part of a four vertical route concept. The coverage is technically fine but Marshall has such a size advantage that Jay Cutler is correct in putting the ball up to Marshall and letting him play basketball with a much smaller defender. The result is a spectacular touchdown. If a team is going to match-up a safety or slot corner on Marshall, he is going to win the match-up every single time. It is important for the Jets quarterback to recognize in situations like this that Marshall is “open,” even when he is covered.

Marshall is not going to consistently win on vertical routes on the outside, whether that is a nine route or deep post from the X position. His inability to be a traditional vertical threat can impede his effectiveness on deep comebacks or curl routes against smarter, top-tier cornerbacks, who are not concerned with him running by them. Brandon Browner will never be mistaken for a burner at corner but is able to play Marshall well below on the nine route, while Darrelle Revis successfully squats on a curl route, which Marshall doesn’t do a good job of driving deep and then fighting back to the football on.

When Marshall was able to get deep on opposing defenses, it was again his ability in the slot that came in useful. In the first clip against Atlanta, Marshall is in the inside receiver in a tight bunch and runs a deep waggle route for a 40+ yard gain. In the second clip, he wins on a vertical route up the seam from the slot that culminates in a highlight reel one handed catch. He is dangerous in motion and working out of a bunch or stacked formation where he can get a clean release to pick up speed on a deep route.

Marshall is a physical player for a wide receiver, who is able to engage in contact with a defensive back and then quickly shake them to break into his route. Cornerbacks who lack size are going to struggle if asked to press up on him. Marshall can get himself into trouble with larger corners or safeties at times by relying on his own physicality too much and ultimately getting knocked off his route stem by contact. However, most defensive backs in the league are going to lose when trying to fight Marshall at the line of scrimmage.

Marshall’s size creates an obvious advantage in the red-zone, where he has thrived throughout his career. He can win with size but the quickness of his feet consistently help to create separation on fade or corner routes, along with working the back line. Few teams in the league will have secondaries equipped to handle Marshall and Decker, who is a good red-zone receiver in his own right, at the same time. If Jace Amaro continues to develop, it will also provide another basketball sized receiving target for defenses to worry about.

Marshall’s physicality and YAC ability should also help in the short passing game. He is a receiver who can regularly turn a smoke screen or flat route from a 2 yard gain to a 10 yard gain, which will be a needed boost to whoever is under for the Jets this season.

Overall

Marshall is the most talented wide receiver the Jets have had on their roster since Keyshawn Johnson in his prime. Last year there was an excitement about adding a potential top 25 receiver in Eric Decker. This year there should be excitement about adding a potential top 8-10 receiver in the NFL, which is exactly what Marshall is when healthy. The Jets don’t owe him any guaranteed money beyond this season but the hope has to be he performs to a level that merits him being a key component in 2016 as well. Expect Marshall to be frequently moved around the formation and to create many of his biggest plays from the slot. He should also provide a shot in the arm to the Jets red-zone offense and create plays with his legs in the short passing game. His injuries last season coupled with his age are a fair concern but Marshall has a much larger sample size of being productive than he does of not being productive. The quarterback situation still needs to shake out but Marshall and Decker should be one of the better starting wide receiver duos in the league.

[JetBlue]

http://turnonthejets.com/2015/03/toj-film-room-new-york-jets-wr-brandon-marshall/#more-26337

 

 

To say the New York Jets have lacked production from the wide receiver position in recent seasons would be an understatement. Eric Decker managed a respectable 74 receptions for 962 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2014 despite missing time with injuries and abysmal quarterbacking. However, prior to that here is the Jets leading receiver every season since Jerricho Cotchery eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2007:

• 2008: Jerricho Cotchery – 71 receptions, 858 yards, 5 touchdowns
• 2009: Jerricho Cotchery – 57 receptions, 821 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2010: Braylon Edwards – 53 receptions, 904 yards, 7 touchdowns
• 2011: Santonio Holmes – 51 receptions, 654 yards, 8 touchdowns
• 2012: Jeremy Kerley – 56 receptions, 827 yards, 2 touchdowns
• 2013: Jeremy Kerley – 43 receptions, 523 yards, 3 touchdowns
• 2014: Eric Decker – 74 receptions, 962 yards, 5 touchdowns

Enter Brandon Marshall, who was acquired for a 5th round pick this off-season. Marshall has been over 1,000 yards in seven of his last eight seasons and exceeded ten touchdowns in three of those years. In 2014, a lung and rib injury kept him out of the final 3.5 games of the season but he still managed 721 yards and eight touchdowns. Marshall has found success throughout his career despite playing with an erratic Jay Cutler, Josh McCown, Matt Moore, Chad Henne, and Kyle Orton.

Let’s take a deeper dive into Marshall’s game and how it could be integrated into the 2015 New York Jets offense…

 

Marshall stands at 6’4, 230 pounds with a tremendous catch radius. At first glance, it is logical to assume he will fit primarily as the offense’s “X” receiver, book ending a twin tower duo on the outside with Decker. Marshall will spend his share of time on the outside but don’t pigeonhole his location on the offense. Despite lacking top end vertical speed, Marshall has quick feet and the ability to run routes with impressive precision. Prior to his injury last season, he spent over 49% of his offensive snaps in the slot, a position he has had success with throughout his career.

Marshall is not a body catcher and generally does a very good job of attacking the football and snatching it with his hands. However, he has been prone to drops at different points throughout his career, primarily due to a lack of concentration while attempting to run before securing the football. Marshall is a a beast after the catch but can let his desire to run with the football lead to mental lapses.

For Jets fans looking for some type of comparison to a player they have seen recently on the team’s roster, think of Braylon Edwards’ 2010 season, his best year in New York. Edwards at his best for the Jets was a poor man’s Marshall, who lacked the same route running ability, flexibility in the slot and overall YAC threat.

As mentioned earlier, Marshall does a good amount of his damage from the slot. This route below is a clinic on how to play wide receiver. He gets a clean release using his hands, stacks the cover man while staying on his route stem, sits in the chair to sell his route to the outside and then snaps inside for a chain moving reception.

Later in the same game, Marshall again releases from the slot as part of a four vertical route concept. The coverage is technically fine but Marshall has such a size advantage that Jay Cutler is correct in putting the ball up to Marshall and letting him play basketball with a much smaller defender. The result is a spectacular touchdown. If a team is going to match-up a safety or slot corner on Marshall, he is going to win the match-up every single time. It is important for the Jets quarterback to recognize in situations like this that Marshall is “open,” even when he is covered.

Marshall is not going to consistently win on vertical routes on the outside, whether that is a nine route or deep post from the X position. His inability to be a traditional vertical threat can impede his effectiveness on deep comebacks or curl routes against smarter, top-tier cornerbacks, who are not concerned with him running by them. Brandon Browner will never be mistaken for a burner at corner but is able to play Marshall well below on the nine route, while Darrelle Revis successfully squats on a curl route, which Marshall doesn’t do a good job of driving deep and then fighting back to the football on.

When Marshall was able to get deep on opposing defenses, it was again his ability in the slot that came in useful. In the first clip against Atlanta, Marshall is in the inside receiver in a tight bunch and runs a deep waggle route for a 40+ yard gain. In the second clip, he wins on a vertical route up the seam from the slot that culminates in a highlight reel one handed catch. He is dangerous in motion and working out of a bunch or stacked formation where he can get a clean release to pick up speed on a deep route.

Marshall is a physical player for a wide receiver, who is able to engage in contact with a defensive back and then quickly shake them to break into his route. Cornerbacks who lack size are going to struggle if asked to press up on him. Marshall can get himself into trouble with larger corners or safeties at times by relying on his own physicality too much and ultimately getting knocked off his route stem by contact. However, most defensive backs in the league are going to lose when trying to fight Marshall at the line of scrimmage.

Marshall’s size creates an obvious advantage in the red-zone, where he has thrived throughout his career. He can win with size but the quickness of his feet consistently help to create separation on fade or corner routes, along with working the back line. Few teams in the league will have secondaries equipped to handle Marshall and Decker, who is a good red-zone receiver in his own right, at the same time. If Jace Amaro continues to develop, it will also provide another basketball sized receiving target for defenses to worry about.

Marshall’s physicality and YAC ability should also help in the short passing game. He is a receiver who can regularly turn a smoke screen or flat route from a 2 yard gain to a 10 yard gain, which will be a needed boost to whoever is under for the Jets this season.

Overall

Marshall is the most talented wide receiver the Jets have had on their roster since Keyshawn Johnson in his prime. Last year there was an excitement about adding a potential top 25 receiver in Eric Decker. This year there should be excitement about adding a potential top 8-10 receiver in the NFL, which is exactly what Marshall is when healthy. The Jets don’t owe him any guaranteed money beyond this season but the hope has to be he performs to a level that merits him being a key component in 2016 as well. Expect Marshall to be frequently moved around the formation and to create many of his biggest plays from the slot. He should also provide a shot in the arm to the Jets red-zone offense and create plays with his legs in the short passing game. His injuries last season coupled with his age are a fair concern but Marshall has a much larger sample size of being productive than he does of not being productive. The quarterback situation still needs to shake out but Marshall and Decker should be one of the better starting wide receiver duos in the league.

 

Okay where are my boner pants when I need them? 

[DaBallhawk]

He reminds me of a better, younger and bigger Boldin, when the Ravens traded him to the 49ers. I think he can do a lot of damage from the slot, especially his elite run blocking will help us out a lot.

[Charlie Brown]

I love this article because it puts to bed the inane comments that somehow the Jets were some offensively talented team in 2009 or 2010.

The Jets have lacked true offensive talent that scared folks for years. This is a wonderful change!!

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

I've seen better film on teeth.

[JetBlue]

I've seen better film on teeth.

Okay I don't what to do with this... 

[jetsrebirth]

I love this article because it puts to bed the inane comments that somehow the Jets were some offensively talented team in 2009 or 2010.

The Jets have lacked true offensive talent that scared folks for years. This is a wonderful change!!

 

Agree, it would be very refreshing to see a competent offense for once. It has really been since 98 that the Jets have had a dangerous offense. I hope in the next few years we can find a QB who can give us a dangerous offense again.

[Villain The Foe]

#Tape

[GREENBEAN]

It's amazing what we've had to endure on the offensive side of the ball. Just torture. 

[win4ever]

It'll be interesting to see how teams line up against him and Decker on opposite ends.  If we can get a burner in the slot that can run routes, this offense would be leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen for quite some time, even with Geno/Fitz at QB.  

[Scoop24]

It'll be interesting to see how teams line up against him and Decker on opposite ends.  If we can get a burner in the slot that can run routes, this offense would be leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen for quite some time, even with Geno/Fitz at QB.  

Cooper 

[win4ever]

Cooper 

 

I think I advocated for him in the draft forum, so yeah, he would make the defense incredibly hard to stop, because he can play the slot and outside, allowing Marshall to play the slot at times.   Speed, hands, route running.  It would also give us a competent replacement for Marhsall after the year if he were to regress.  

[FloridaJetsFan]

It'll be interesting to see how teams line up against him and Decker on opposite ends.  If we can get a burner in the slot that can run routes, this offense would be leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen for quite some time, even with Geno/Fitz at QB.

What's wrong with Kerley?

[win4ever]

What's wrong with Kerley?

 

He's a horizontal WR, he doesn't have the speed to go down field and threaten to take the top of the defense.  So teams can gameplan for him better, because whoever is defending him knows that he has to make a horizontal move out of the slot, so they can have the defender up close to him knowing that more than likely Kerley isn't running over the top.  This creates an issue with spacing for the QB, because the CB/Safety/LB who is covering him can take more risks to jump a slant or out route.  

 

With someone like Cooper (or even Smith or Dorsett), they can't play nearly as close to the defender and have to give him space.  It may only be a yard more or so, but that can make a huge difference with the horizontal routes because they can't jump it nearly as much.  It would also give us the deep threat on the field, which can occupy the safeties, taking attention away from the other two WRs.  I think if Kerley was faster, he'd be perfect for the team, but he isn't.  He doesn't run nearly enough vertical routes to be a deep threat.  Most of his routes are crossing patterns, fake crossing patterns to out route, and slants.  Cooper would give us someone that can just beat his CB (assuming 3rd CB on the other team) in a straight line speed, and be good enough with his route running that he can create ample separation on any route.  

[FloridaJetsFan]

He's a horizontal WR, he doesn't have the speed to go down field and threaten to take the top of the defense.  So teams can gameplan for him better, because whoever is defending him knows that he has to make a horizontal move out of the slot, so they can have the defender up close to him knowing that more than likely Kerley isn't running over the top.  This creates an issue with spacing for the QB, because the CB/Safety/LB who is covering him can take more risks to jump a slant or out route.  

 

With someone like Cooper (or even Smith or Dorsett), they can't play nearly as close to the defender and have to give him space.  It may only be a yard more or so, but that can make a huge difference with the horizontal routes because they can't jump it nearly as much.  It would also give us the deep threat on the field, which can occupy the safeties, taking attention away from the other two WRs.  I think if Kerley was faster, he'd be perfect for the team, but he isn't.  He doesn't run nearly enough vertical routes to be a deep threat.  Most of his routes are crossing patterns, fake crossing patterns to out route, and slants.  Cooper would give us someone that can just beat his CB (assuming 3rd CB on the other team) in a straight line speed, and be good enough with his route running that he can create ample separation on any route.

Well, I learned something today - excellent analysis.

[Jetster]

I'd be pretty damn happy if we ended up with Cooper @ 6 and Gurley @ 37.

And I'm a guy that really wants Fowler @ 6.

Could you imagine seeing a 4 WR set of Decker-Cooper-Marshall-Kerley!

How long has it been since the Jets could scare defenses & force them to back off a little?

Chan would have some fun with those WRs, Amaro, Ivory, Gurley & Powell.

After dealing with Ivory for 2 quarters, Gurley would look like he was shot out of a cannon in the 2nd half.

[JetBlue]

He's a horizontal WR, he doesn't have the speed to go down field and threaten to take the top of the defense.  So teams can gameplan for him better, because whoever is defending him knows that he has to make a horizontal move out of the slot, so they can have the defender up close to him knowing that more than likely Kerley isn't running over the top.  This creates an issue with spacing for the QB, because the CB/Safety/LB who is covering him can take more risks to jump a slant or out route.  

 

With someone like Cooper (or even Smith or Dorsett), they can't play nearly as close to the defender and have to give him space.  It may only be a yard more or so, but that can make a huge difference with the horizontal routes because they can't jump it nearly as much.  It would also give us the deep threat on the field, which can occupy the safeties, taking attention away from the other two WRs.  I think if Kerley was faster, he'd be perfect for the team, but he isn't.  He doesn't run nearly enough vertical routes to be a deep threat.  Most of his routes are crossing patterns, fake crossing patterns to out route, and slants.  Cooper would give us someone that can just beat his CB (assuming 3rd CB on the other team) in a straight line speed, and be good enough with his route running that he can create ample separation on any route.  

I would excited with any of the above.  Especially Dorsett or Smith because they could/should be there at 37 which means we get our pass rusher or qb in the first.  Great post. 

[JetBlue]

I'd be pretty damn happy if we ended up with Cooper @ 6 and Gurley @ 37.

And I'm a guy that really wants Fowler @ 6.

Could you imagine seeing a 4 WR set of Decker-Cooper-Marshall-Kerley!

How long has it been since the Jets could scare defenses & force them to back off a little?

Chan would have some fun with those WRs, Amaro, Ivory, Gurley & Powell.

After dealing with Ivory for 2 quarters, Gurley would look like he was shot out of a cannon in the 2nd half.

 

There are way too many good receivers in this draft to fall in love with one at 6.  Even one as good as Cooper.  the drop off from Cooper to say, Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Rashad Greene, Breshard Perriman, Sammie Coates to name just a few, is not that great for what the Jets will be asking of them.   Some of those guys will be around in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.  There will be talented wide outs available in the 4th round as well.  We take the pass rusher, quarterback or trade down in round one. 

[F.Chowds]

It'll be interesting to see how teams line up against him and Decker on opposite ends.  If we can get a burner in the slot that can run routes, this offense would be leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen for quite some time, even with Geno/Fitz at QB.  

Could have had Brandon Cooks instead of that ******* bum Pryor

 

SMFH

[ComfortablyNumb]

It'll be interesting to see how teams line up against him and Decker on opposite ends. If we can get a burner in the slot that can run routes, this offense would be leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen for quite some time, even with Geno/Fitz at QB.

Phil Dorsett

[NYJetsVets91]

Can't wait to see this guy in green and white.

[Scoop24]

There are way too many good receivers in this draft to fall in love with one at 6. Even one as good as Cooper. the drop off from Cooper to say, Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Rashad Greene, Breshard Perriman, Sammie Coates to name just a few, is not that great for what the Jets will be asking of them. Some of those guys will be around in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. There will be talented wide outs available in the 4th round as well. We take the pass rusher, quarterback or trade down in round one.

can't agree with that at all. i wouldn't take any of those guys over Cooper. he is superior to all those guys in every aspect except maybe speed although he isn't a slouch himself in that department.

[JetBlue]

can't agree with that at all. i wouldn't take any of those guys over Cooper. he is superior to all those guys in every aspect except maybe speed although he isn't a slouch himself in that department.

And that is why he is going at the top of the first round and those guys are 2nd and 3rd round picks.  He may be superior but not by as much as you think, and once in the NFL and coached up, don't be surprised if in a year or two, some them are just as good if not better.    

[win4ever]

Could have had Brandon Cooks instead of that ******* bum Pryor

 

SMFH

 

I didn't mind going after the secondary last year, it was in shambles,  I just didn't understand why we went after a SS when we already had a bunch of guys who can't catch or cover, but play a hybrid LB.  I think at the onset of the draft, I was really hoping for OBJ, and had this huge discussion with a guy that kept arguing for Cooks over OBJ to the point that I actually disliked Cooks because I was just tired of arguing against him.   However, once OBJ was off the board, it would've been a fine pick.  Or pretty much most other WRs.

 

Phil Dorsett

 

I would love to have him on the team,  He fits perfectly into what we need, a slot guy that can take it over the top.  Cooper is obviously a better fit, because he can move to the outside as well in due time, but Dorsett would fit in great as well, at a cheaper price.  

[win4ever]

I would excited with any of the above.  Especially Dorsett or Smith because they could/should be there at 37 which means we get our pass rusher or qb in the first.  Great post. 

 

I keep going back and forth on it, because I just love how good well Cooper fits on the team.  I think the value way to go would be LB/WR because one position is much deeper than the other, but Cooper is probably my favorite prospect in the whole draft when it comes up upside/floor/system fit.  

 

Well, I learned something today - excellent analysis.

 

Thanks.