Marshall has once again found a reason to strain his relationship with the Broncos, this time publicly claiming that they requested team members and employees to view his recent proven innocence as a stepping stone for the team to move forward, not as a personal victory for himself. According to Marshall, teammates are not allowed to express happiness for him because he was found not guilty in a case accusing him of allegedly beating his girlfriend, but instead were asked to perceive it as a look towards the future for the team.

Brandon Marshall, who has made his annoyances with the team public in the past, says that it’s just another way that the Broncos have mistreated him over the past year. He also says that in order to make up for their harsh words and misleading tactics, he wants to be paid more or to be traded out of Denver.

While it is up for debate as to whether or not the baggage that Marshall brings with him is worth his output on the field, it is worth knowing that his production as a play-maker would not hurt any team in the NFL. Whether or not the core of certain franchises would be able to withstand the destructive, behind-the-scenes impact that Marshall is capable of having is another story.

Denver has seen firsthand what the whirlwind downfall of a team is like if the character of select players are not handled in the correct manner. Jay Cutler demanded a trade (which he was eventually granted) and exposed the Broncos much more than they had wanted in order to get his wish. If the Marshall situation gets any deeper, Denver risks suffering even more damage, endangering the reputation of every person involved from President Pat Bowlen, down to first year coach Josh McDaniels.

However, a team with a solid group of leaders, a hardnosed front office, and a supportive fanbase may be the answer to the problems a player like Marshall brings. Team like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England have their roots grown deep enough to undertake the project of re-developing a player’s character without suffering any serious backlash. It will be a Michael-Vick type of situation, inheriting a player with a bad reputation and a knack for causing distractions. Only a team with enough confidence in themselves will have any chance of being successful, and even then, it’s a risk that a lot of franchises are not willing to take.

So enter the Ravens into this scenerio. They have proven time and time again that personal character is something they don’t take lightly. Despite their problems early in the history of the franchise, Baltimore now prides itself on the community work that its athletes are involved with as well as the class of players that they bring in through free agency (Matt Birk, Lorenzo Neal) and the draft (Cedric Peerman, Lardarius Webb).

The reason that so many people counted the Ravens out of the Brandon Marshall sweepstakes was the return of Derrick Mason. He was the veteran presense of the offense over the past few seasons, as well at the top of the list in most major offensive statistics. The Ravens, according to most, were originally shopping for a number one wide receiver because they had lost Mason at the end of last year. But, just because Mason is back, who is to say the Ravens don’t take the chance on Marshall anyway?

They have enough weapons on the roster that they could afford to give something up in a trade to acquire the problematic wide out. Most recently, names like Troy Smith and Demetrius Williams have surfaced as possible trade bait. Draft picks have also been mentioned, as high as the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Despite initial reactions (I admit to mine as well), the rumors make a lot of sense. The Ravens have five QB’s on their roster at the moment, including Cleo Lemon an undrafted rookie, Drew Willy. Lemon has been a starter in the league in previous years, playing under Cam Cameron in Miami, and has the experience of a player that will not necessarily be cut to make room for a younger, less experienced, less proven quarterback. Troy Smith’s name has been mentioned when discussions of an “odd man out” come to question the roles of certain players on the squad. While it may be reaching a

little, the Ravens were publicly interested in Michael Vick before he was made unavailable. Had he been signed, Baltimore would have had to make a QB roster change at some point before the season began.

Is Brandon Marshall worth a 2nd, or even 1st round draft pick? A lot of people say the Ravens would be stupid to trade away such a valuable spot in the draft, especially with the genius of Ozzie Newsome when it comes to finding solid players coming out of school. But if you look at it in a different light, the odds might actually favor trading a draft pick for Marshall. If Brandon Marshall was in this years draft, and we knew everything about him that we do now, would you use a 1st round pick for him?

It’s hard to think why anybody would skip over a player of his caliber. With 2,590 receiving yards and averaging more than 83 yards a game over the past two seasons, Marshall is an elite wide out in the NFL. Derrick Mason is not getting any younger, and there is nothing better then the availability of a young, proven wide receiver over taking a chance on an unproven rookie out of college.

If the rumors are true, and the Ravens are still considering options to acquire Marshall, even if it means to trade fan favorite Troy Smith, I can’t help but be excited for it. Baltimore is strong enough to absorb his antics, as they have done with players in the past. Brandon Marshall has a stellar career ahead of him if he can be convinced to put the childish behavior behind him and act like an adult and a professional. If he can avoid the off-the-field issues and make a name for himself strictly through his football skills, the opponent should be the only people worried about having to deal with him.