Baltimore Ravens Rumors: Brandon Marshall to the Ravens?

Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Pump the brakes. There is a lot that needs to happen for Brandon Marshall to be a Baltimore Raven. Yet, when a marquee receiver is mentioned in the same breath as the Ravens, rumors will fly.

For this to happen, for Marshall to become a Raven, the Chicago Bears will first need to release him. The Chicago Sun Times would be whole-hearted supporters of such a release happening.

Marshall added fuel to the fire by asking Harbaugh about playing for the Ravens.

Add up a Bears team that is discontent with Marshall, a Ravens team that needs a receiver and an interested Marshall, and that legitimately could result in Marshall donning the purple and black.

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Whether this could happen is of little interest until Marshall is actually released. The question that is more important as the Ravens try to prepare for all possibilities is whether this should happen.

Start with the Sun Times’ accusation that Marshall is a me-first player, a hog of the spotlight. The Ravens clearly aren’t afraid of such a label, having added Steve Smith last offseason. They will do their own research and decide for themselves, though for what it’s worth, Marshall seemed to think quite highly of Harbaugh. Also worth pointing out, the Ravens have a much stronger core of leadership than the Bears, Dolphins or Broncos did in Marshall’s tenures with those three teams.

If the Ravens don’t think Marshall’s personality will fit, then this will be a non-starter. Considering that Marshall’s work-ethic has never been in question, though, I think the Ravens will look past his perceived selfishness.

Once that is addressed, the Ravens will need to consider the on-field fit.

The pros: Marshall is a big (6’4″), athletic receiver who excels at catching jump balls. “Jump Ball” Joe Flacco would love that, both on deep balls and in the redzone.

The cons: Marshall has dropped double-digit balls in four of the past five seasons. Ravens fans would quickly grow weary of the drops if that continued. Further, Marshall had the worst year of his career last year, going for just 721 yards and eight touchdowns. Is he on the decline at age 30?

Despite that very large con, Marshall’s jump ball ability would be too much for the Ravens to ignore. His skill set would undoubtedly be a fit.

Finally, there is the question of price. Marshall, if cut, could go for next to nothing, just like Steve Smith last year. Or, a team could be wowed by his amazing career stats and throw huge sums of money at him. That’s something we just don’t know right now.

For the Ravens purposes, a relatively short-term (two or three years) contract worth $5-7 million would probably be a fair deal. Any more than that would be too risky for my taste, despite the possibility that Marshall regains his elite form. Get him for less though, and the Ravens would have pulled off a coup to rival their swiping of Elvis Dumervil not so long ago.

So yes, if the opportunity arises, the Ravens should try to make this happen. But I’m still not holding my breath.

Next: Torrey Smith has likely played his last with the Ravens