Well, if the Jets thought they'd gotten a leg up in the AFC East with that trade for Santonio Holmes, the Dolphins front office just bought themselves a bigger, stronger, sexier leg.
And then they put a lampshade on it, made it the richest leg ever, and stuck it the window facing north.
The Fins have reached an agreement to acquire Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall for two second-round picks, including the 43rd overall selection in next week's draft. Marshall will sign a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension with Miami, including $24 million guaranteed.
Together with signing a $2.5 million contract tender with the Broncos yesterday, which paved the way for a trade, Marshall's deal totals five years for $50 million -- the richest for a receiver in NFL history.
That sound you hear is the spontaneous combusting of Dolphins fans across South Florida, who've been hoping against hope for this trade for some time. Bill Parcells, giving up two draft picks for an avowed but talented pain in the butt diva receiver, and then paying out the wazoo? Will wonders never cease.
Marshall's talent is undeniably a huge leap forward for the Dolphins, who've been rebuilding without a go-to guy. The 2006 4th-rounder from UCF is in the prime of his career, having caught at least 100 passes for 1,100 yards in the last three seasons -- including an NFL-record 21 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in a December game the Broncos lost.
The Dolphins wide receivers combined for just six touchdowns through the air all last season. But Marshall's value isn't just soft hands and a verticle leap; he's got the bruising mentality and breakaway ability to gain chunk yards after catch that the Fins haven't seen in some time. What he'll provide if the Dolphins can keep him out of trouble will be well worth their efforts.
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(And at any rate, might as well make that babysitter earn his keep.)
What that means for AFC is that the Dolphins now have a star receiver on par with the Jets (Holmes) and Patriots (Randy Moss), to which we can only say: Good luck, Buffalo. You'll need it.
Marshall is on his way to Miami to take a physical, according to reports, but has already arrainged for courtside seats at the Heat game tonight. And so it begins!
