I don't understand why people knock Marshall for not making the playoffs. The guy is a receiver, which means he's a roleplayer, a pretty damn good one too, but I don't like the drops in big games which is why I don't want Bowe either.
But still, you guys make it sound like the Patriots would not be in the playoffs if they had him.
I certainly don't think WR's are role players. IMHO, they are feature players and its uncommon to find a great team without at least 1 top notch WR. The reason there are so many diva WR's these days are because they are so important, that teams will put up with their antics if they are good.
The Patriots revolve around Brady, but after him who are their stars? Not the revolving door or RB's, but the WR's and pass catching TE's around which their passing game is built. I would say only San Fran is a top team without a top receiver.
As an offense we want to be Green Bay south. For this to happen we need quick WR's who are great at creating separation, running great routes, and have great hands. Marshall has bad hands, is a bad route runner and has a disruptive impact on the locker room. He doesn't fit our offense and had to go. The only argument is how much we got.
WCO offenses are built around precise route running, accurate passing, reliable catching, and ability to run after the catch. If the offense has those things it is unstoppable.
We all want the guy who is 6'4 with deep speed, but if they don't have the stuff I described above, they will stall our offense. In the draft, only Justin Hunter and maybe that kid from Va. Tech have that profile. Neither has great hands to be a reliable catcher, and only Hunter looks like he has the makings of a good NFL WR. But, someone like Cordarrelle Patterson has less red zone ability but boatloads of RAC and is a great fit. He does need to improve his route running and hands before he is ready to play, so he is also a bit of a project.
Robert Woods and Keenan Allen may not be the physical specimens, but they fit the WCO well. Woods is smaller but fast. Allen doesn't have quite the deep speed but he is bigger. Those guys or Ryan Swope would be great fits.
Marshall is better fit for down field passing teams IMHO.