4..3…2….1….HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yes, the NFL new year officially begins in March. Roger Goodell’s league of domination fiscally begins in March ever year and that’s when business can officially open up. The Chicago Bears opened the year with plenty of fireworks, triangle shaped hats and noise-makers by making two big deals at the skill positions.
The Bears traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick. The deal is pending a physical. If that seems like the Bears got 80% on the dollar for Marshall, well consider how much of a distraction Marshall became in Chicago. He more than wore out his welcome with the Bears; exactly like he wore out his welcome with his other two previous teams: Miami and Denver. The 2014 Bears season had more internal strife and intra-club drama than a Friday Night Lights box set. Brandon Marshall was in the middle of that once or twice.
B Marsh would fit in well with the New York Jets; at least on paper. The Jets badly need a receiver; that position group was arguably their weakest, and perhaps the league’s worst receiving corps.
Plus, Brandon Marshall, and the drama that usually surrounds him is nothing new to the Jets. Tim Tebow, Rex Ryan, the Ines Sainz fiasco and other recent personalities have all made the Jets the NFL’s version of Animal House the past few years. This is probably a win-win. You have to consider a mid-round pick for Brandon Marshall to be a victory for new GM Ryan Pace.
Also, the Bears aare re-signing back-up QB Jimmy Clausen. Adam Schefter tweeted that today. So there’s that.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital, eBay, Google News and CBS Interactive Inc.
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