New York Jets 2015 Fate Rests On Smith-To-Marshall

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

GM Mike Maccagnan and new head coach Todd Bowles have done everything within their power to make the New York Jets a playoff contender in 2015. They spent wildly in free agency to bring in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie among others and drafted Leonard Williams to an already loaded defensive front.

However their most important addition may end up being veteran receiver Brandon Marshall, whom they got in a trade with the Chicago Bears. The history of the 31-year old is as yin and yang as it gets. On the one hand he’s a five-time Pro Bowler who went seven-straight seasons prior to 2014 with at least 1,000 yards. This was often with scrubs and second-rate quarterbacks throwing him the ball.

On the other he has a history of being a volatile personality, sometimes being confrontational with teammates, coaches and even fans while constantly drawing attention to himself with his off-the-field activities. He’s also building a bothersome injury history and comes off the worst season of his career.

So there is an inherent boom-or-bust aspect to this move by the Jets, but they know he’s the best receiver they’ve had in a long time and could be the one man who can help unlock the full potential of third-year quarterback Geno Smith. It’s a job Marshall not only understands, but embraces.

He told reporter Judy Battista that he hand-picked the Jets as his favorite trade option because of a relationship that had been building with Smith since he arrived in the league in 2013.

"“I was really shocked at the intelligence, how smart he was. I had known him as a player from afar. I didn’t know his football IQ was so high. He had crazy passion. When I talked to him, I fell in love with the conversation.”"

This could be welcome news for Jets fans who are growing concerned that Smith may never be much more than what he is. Talented but unable to process the game at a peak level. Thus far the team has not produced a 1,000-yard receiver with him at quarterback. If Marshall can change that, and take heat off others like Eric Decker and Jace Amaro on offense, it could lead to big things.

Especially if that defense is as good as it looks.

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