NFL Executives Question Brandon Marshall's Consistency, Hands

Brandon Marshall is disgruntled. We know this because he's been telling us all offseason. Despite asking for a trade, he's unhappily reported to Broncos training camp because he's still under contract and he doesn't have much leverage.

Holding out is an option, but that typically goes something like this: player demands trade or more dough, threatens to sit out until said demands are met, organization ignores demands because player is still under contract, and when the fines (usually totaling four figures a day) start piling up, player reconsiders, returns to works, and claims it was all a big misunderstanding. Yeah, I've seen this movie before.

For now, Marshall is in Englewood, Colorado preparing for the season. No idea if he's with the team by Week 1, but the Denver Post's Jeff Legwold talked to NFL executives to get a sense of what other clubs think of the mercurial, big-play wideout.

In short, all of the executives polled said, he would have to show he's healthy after offseason hip surgery - a far bigger concern for them than for many who believe Marshall can quickly force a trade – and they would like to see fewer dropped passes and more touchdowns.

Marshall, despite back-to-back 100-catch seasons to go with a Pro Bowl trip in '08, is not considered a precise route runner and many general managers worry that he drops too many balls as he attempts to position his body to run after the catch before he has secured the ball.

That all sounds about right: NFL personnel types are more concerned with physical health than off-field issues, because, well, this is a business. even guys with sordid pasts and sketch presents can help win games. The bigger story, I think, is that Marshall has somehow avoided the "that guy's not afraid to drop a pass" spotlight. I mean, poor Braylon Edwards. He can't quietly have a four-drop game without the media bringing it up every 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Marshall dropped four more passes than Edwards in 2008 (18 to 14), and the biggest complaint we hear about him is that he's immature. Braylon should be so lucky. (Ironically, he's considered an all-around swell guy.)

(Of course, this also bears mentioning: Edwards had 55 receptions (873 yards, 3 TDs); Marshall had 104 (1,265, 6). For Braylon, that works out to one drop for every 3.9 receptions while Marshall dropped one pass for every 5.8 receptions. That's almost a two-pass-catch difference.)

Whatever, the point remains: despite the awesome physical talent, Marshall is still raw. And that, along with the occasional concerns about his attitude, could mean his current trade value isn't enough to get him out of Denver. But, hey, if we learned anything from Jay Cutler it's this: Don't give up. Well, unless your coach hurts your feelings. But in terms of demanding a trade, be vigilant.