As much as I hate it, we may have to sit Marshall

[richig07]

He's played his whole career banged up, and has never really missed a game. I know. But he was useless on Monday night. Especially after coming back for the second half. I get that his presence demands attention from the opposing secondary. However, we really can't afford to have him injure himself further, nor can we have him continue to hobble around the field and playing in the condition he has been since the first half of the Buffalo game.

If his ankle is doing better, by all means, get his ass out there. However, if he's in the same condition he was vs New York. Let the guy take a week off, and let's get him back when he's closer to full speed for Carolina. If he keeps doing this, he won't get a week off until our week 9 bye. And at that point, he may need MORE than a week off to get back anywhere near full speed.

I think biting the bullet for one week may be better than having him operating at half strength, limping around for the entire first half of the season. Maybe this isn't the week though, since it is a big divisional game. Perhaps we do it next week in Carolina. I just think that it has to be done, if he doesn't show signs of improvement.

Am I wrong? If he says he can play and he's cleared, does the coaching staff have to play him?

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

If I'm making out the line up. No way I sit him. Hell, use him as a decoy and red zone target only. Let teams try and cover BM AJ MF MB all at the same time. I don't care how hurt he is, he will open things up for others. .

 

[nebearsfan70]

You really think Marshall is going to sit this one?

 

[Dirk]

You really think Marshall is going to sit this one?

Only if they tell him he can't get on the bus...

 

[JoeyTourettes]

Completely understand the rational of sitting him- a healthy B. is much better for the whole season...but I'm going to agree with the majority- He plays no matter what against the Piss and Green. Weapon, decoy, redzone threat... whatever. If he's hobbled any more this week or struggles through another game I think they have to strongly consider sitting him for Carolina...get him closer to 100% and move forward from there.

The way Alshon looked much better against the Jets... one more week of healing for him would be best if he were to be the soul focus of a Carolina defense.

I would have to think that Jay will be that much more comfortable with Holmes with another week as well.

 

[richig07]

You really think Marshall is going to sit this one?

No. Not at all.

 

[nomoreshoop]

BM is good for at least one passing interference call per game

 

[beardown07]

His leg would have to be detached and sitting next to him, for him to willingly miss this game.

 

[anotheridiot]

Its gonna stretch all the way to a game time decision so the bears make the packers spend most of their time preparing for Marshall.

I would hate to see his season end for one game. When he reinjured his ankle last week, it wasnt on a cut, a tackle, a missed step, it was a linebacker jumping over him after he was down that took him out of the game. Marshalls knee was bent and got accidently kicked in the ankle.

 

[toooverbearing]

Brandon Mashall being out there is the only thing keeping Jeffrey from soaking up all of the coverage. If Jay Cutler would trust his other receivers more that would be one thing... but if we march Santonio Holmes out there, the only people he'll look at is Jeffrey down field and Bennett and Forte for check downs. The offense won't work.

Green Bay has a better secondary than we have seen this year. I'd say we could get away with this against other defenses... but this week, if we can just get Marshall on the field, it may be the difference between going 3-1 with the Packers at 1-3 and 2 division losses, or being 2-2 with the Packers who would have a win over us.

I think two of the most pivotal injuries this week are Marshall's and Clay Matthews. If Marshall goes and is near 100% and Matthews is out... we win 3rd and longs. If Marshall is out and Clay Matthews goes and is near 100%... we lose 3rd and longs. The scenario that plays out may be somewhere between those extremes, but I think this will be key this weekend.

 

[Jim Rome is Flaming]

If it was anyone but GB, I'd say sit him down. But this game is too important. Even if he is only used as a decoy, he brings so much more to the table than Holmes.

 

[richig07]

If it was anyone but GB, I'd say sit him down. But this game is too important. Even if he is only used as a decoy, he brings so much more to the table than Holmes.

I don't know if any week 4 game is important enough to risk probably your best player.

If we were in Green Bay's position at 1-2, yeah. Play him no matter what. At 2-1… personally, I WOULD play him, if he says he can play. But the first time he has to come off of the field, he's done.

 

[anotheridiot]

Brandon Mashall being out there is the only thing keeping Jeffrey from soaking up all of the coverage. If Jay Cutler would trust his other receivers more that would be one thing... but if we march Santonio Holmes out there, the only people he'll look at is Jeffrey down field and Bennett and Forte for check downs. The offense won't work.

You seem to forget Marshall had one catch last week for 6 yards. He was off the field for more than he was on the field. Three options Jay is looking for is better than zoning in on Marshall who is having trouble getting open.

Cutler had no trouble trusting receivers when Marshall was out of the game. If they triple team Jeffrey, you got Bennet down the seam.

You cant let the inmates run the asylum. This wanna play crap is crap. He plays every week this is gonna linger until he cant play, and that is possibly a playoff run.

Its gonna be interesting to see what these responses turn into if he is carted off the field and gone for 8 weeks.

 

[toooverbearing]

You seem to forget Marshall had one catch last week for 6 yards. He was off the field for more than he was on the field. Three options Jay is looking for is better than zoning in on Marshall who is having trouble getting open.

Cutler had no trouble trusting receivers when Marshall was out of the game. If they triple team Jeffrey, you got Bennet down the seam.

You cant let the inmates run the asylum. This wanna play crap is crap. He plays every week this is gonna linger until he cant play, and that is possibly a playoff run.

Its gonna be interesting to see what these responses turn into if he is carted off the field and gone for 8 weeks.

He also caught a TD pass that was negated by a penalty, but that's besides the point. Do you remember that zero blitz on the critical drive when Cutler lofted the ball up the middle for Alshon Jeffrey? If Brandon Marshall is not in the game, Jeffrey is double teamed. My point is, his presence keeps defenses honest. Any scout who has watched the Bears will know that Cutler plays favorites with his receivers, and if you take one off the field that's when stupid throws into coverage that's too tight happens. The Packers secondary coaches have made a career out of knowing this.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

I've yet to see a Bears game where Marshal does not go down hurt and then continue playing. I think he is a drama queen that way. Maybe he doesn't even realize he does this. Love the guy. Really can any of you guys remember a game where he does not hit the ground and get up slow but then goes on to play, at least once a game from the day he arrived here. PS. I think this time he may be actually hurting.

 

[richig07]

I've yet to see a Bears game where Marshal does not go down hurt and then continue playing. I think he is a drama queen that way. Maybe he doesn't even realize he does this. Love the guy. Really can any of you guys remember a game where he does not hit the ground and get up slow but then goes on to play, at least once a game from the day he arrived here. PS. I think this time he may be actually hurting.

Trust me. I know. I say this all of the time. Dude comes out once per game.

But still… he's CLEARLY not been himself, and has been hobbling around.

 

[richig07]

You seem to forget Marshall had one catch last week for 6 yards. He was off the field for more than he was on the field. Three options Jay is looking for is better than zoning in on Marshall who is having trouble getting open.

Cutler had no trouble trusting receivers when Marshall was out of the game. If they triple team Jeffrey, you got Bennet down the seam.

You cant let the inmates run the asylum. This wanna play crap is crap. He plays every week this is gonna linger until he cant play, and that is possibly a playoff run.

Its gonna be interesting to see what these responses turn into if he is carted off the field and gone for 8 weeks.

Haven't we debunked this freaking myth. Jesus Christ. Cutler's targets to Jeffery and Marshall were almost completely even last season.

 

[Dirk]

Haven't we debunked this freaking myth. Jesus Christ. Cutler's targets to Jeffery and Marshall were almost completely even last season.

I don't think he said what you think he said.

 

[anotheridiot]

I don't think he said what you think he said.

You are right, it was directed towards the comment that we need Marshall to run around out there risking further injury as a decoy to make this offense work.

What do they say all preseason? We are not showing everything.

Well Green Bay is in a tough place right now. Take advantage of that and the next meeting down the road, whether its the game in green bay or the playoff game, you add a healthy marshall sure sounds the same as not showing everything.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

You are right, it was directed towards the comment that we need Marshall to run around out there risking further injury as a decoy to make this offense work.
Injury's mostly happen when getting hit or tackled. Decoys don't by nature risk much. And it opens up the other guys who will be carting the load. This whole convo is for naught. BM will not sit even if the coaches wanted him too.