WR dept. ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

One of the biggest contributors to the New York Jets' 3-1 start is wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who has 30 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns.

Five things you need to know about his fast start :

1. Yes, it's a small sample size, but he'll break some longstanding team records if he somehow manages to maintain his current pace. His reception total projects to 120, which would shatter the mark held by Al Toon (93 in 1988). As for yardage, he's on a 1,600-yard pace, which would eclipse a record that has stood for nearly a half-century -- Don Maynard's 1,434 yards in 1967. Barring injury, Marshall is a safe bet to become the Jets' first 1,000-yard receiver since Jerricho Cotchery in 2007.

2. Marshall has been a high-volume receiver throughout his career, so there were questions before the season about how he'd react to fewer opportunities in a balanced offense. It hasn't been an issue because, even though they've been fairly balanced between the run and pass, Marshall is being fed his usual diet of balls. He's averaging nearly 11 targets per game, better than his career average prior to this season (9.5). How is this happening? They've all but eliminated the tight end from the offense and they don't throw much to the backs, gearing everything to Marshall and Eric Decker.

3. Marshall has helped the Jets become a good red-zone team. A year ago, they had the worst red-zone efficiency in the league. Now they're up to fifth, scoring a touchdown on 73 percent of their drives inside the 20. At 6-foot-4, his size and catching radius have been huge help to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who doesn't have to be perfect with his throws. Marshall has three red-zone touchdown catches, including two in tight coverage. The other touchdown came on a play in which he used his power, carrying two defenders into the end zone.

4. The Jets have altered Marshall's role slightly. With the Chicago Bears last season, a fair amount of his production came when he was lined up in the slot. For the most part, the Jets have deployed him on the outside. In fact, 25 of his 30 receptions have come from wide left or wide right, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He frequently draws two defenders, creating single coverage for others, namely Decker. Truth be told, they should doing a better job of exploiting this, but no one other than Decker is benefitting.

5. Eyebrows were raised last spring, when the Jets sweetened Marshall's contract, following through on a promise they made during trade talks. As a result, he's making a total of $18.5 million this year and next, a $2.7 million raise from his pre-existing contract. So far, it's money well spent. Not only is he producing on the field, but he has distanced himself from his reputation as a locker-room problem.

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