By itself, the trading of Brandon Marshall to Chicago for two third-round picks is so awful for the Dolphins there has to be something more behind it. I'm guessing it's Peyton Manning. I'm guessing it's to clear some cap space to get Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and put the Indy gang back together.
Let's play this out. Two years ago, the Dolphins traded two No. 2 draft picks to Denver and gave Marshall a $47.5 million contract ($24 million guaranteed) for Marshall. So for two years' service, they gave up two high draft picks and about $35 million? And they get two third-round picks in return?
That's not a move a team makes unless there's something else behind it. And, again, it has to be Manning. That's the focus of the Dolphins' off-season plans. The Dolphins save $5.8 million against the cap by trading Marshall. Again, that's little compared to the huge outlay in the first couple of years.
Do they take that to sign Wayne? Is this part of some sign Manning wanted to see before signing with the Dolphins? This couldn't have been done to make an easier landing spot for Matt Flynn, clearing out a receiver who hasn't always been happy with his quarterbacks (Chad Henne, Matt Moore ...)
Nor would you make such a bad trade to make Marshall happy. He's jokingly (?) talked about reuniting with Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. But so what?
Let's sit back and see what else happens.
Let's play this out. Two years ago, the Dolphins traded two No. 2 draft picks to Denver and gave Marshall a $47.5 million contract ($24 million guaranteed) for Marshall. So for two years' service, they gave up two high draft picks and about $35 million? And they get two third-round picks in return?
That's not a move a team makes unless there's something else behind it. And, again, it has to be Manning. That's the focus of the Dolphins' off-season plans. The Dolphins save $5.8 million against the cap by trading Marshall. Again, that's little compared to the huge outlay in the first couple of years.
Do they take that to sign Wayne? Is this part of some sign Manning wanted to see before signing with the Dolphins? This couldn't have been done to make an easier landing spot for Matt Flynn, clearing out a receiver who hasn't always been happy with his quarterbacks (Chad Henne, Matt Moore ...)
Nor would you make such a bad trade to make Marshall happy. He's jokingly (?) talked about reuniting with Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler. But so what?
Let's sit back and see what else happens.