New York Giants: Brandon Marshall can erase Jets tenure with Big Blue
By Zac Wassink
New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall can erase how his time with the New York Jets ended by helping Big Blue win more than games.
“Little brother syndrome” is a real thing in the sports world, no more so than in the New York region. The New York Mets will always be second in MLB behind the New York Yankees unless the Amazins somehow win dozens of titles over the next 50 years or so. Meanwhile, the New York Jets are destined to be little brothers of the New York Giants so long as MetLife Stadium exists.
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Thus, it isn’t all that surprising Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson recently became hot and bothered after Giants guard Justin Pugh made a joke about there being only Jets hats at an airport because the store was all sold out of Giants gear.
As Connor Hughes of NJ.com explained, Wilkerson “put a red dot” on Pugh ahead of the August preseason contest between the two sides which, humorously, is probably the biggest game of the season for a Jets team that may struggle to notch a single regular season win this fall.
Those familiar with both clubs know this type of inferiority complex is nothing new. Per Sports Illustrated/The Associated Press, it was only in March when Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson decided to have a go at wide receiver Brandon Marshall after he made the move from the green portion of MetLife to the Giants, saying:
"“Yeah, the locker room’s a whole lot easier to get along with now, so, yeah.”"
Richardson later took a more pointed jab:
"“Let’s just say we’ve got 15 reasons why it’s better.”"
15 could’ve been some random number plucked from the sky, but it was probably a direct reference to the jersey number Marshall wore during his Jets tenure. Richardson and Marshall apparently didn’t have the rosiest of relationships as the Jets plummeted to the bottom of the AFC East standings with a 5-11 record, and there were more than a few whispers the 33-year old wideout made life difficult in the Jets locker room on more than one occasion.
Marshall seemed to be nothing short of a gem for the Jets only two Januarys ago. He finished the 2015 season with 14 touchdown receptions playing alongside journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and he torched divisional opponents such as the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots as if he was a younger target just entering his physical prime.
Things change quickly in sports and in life. Marshall looked like an old player rather than the player of old featuring for a lousy Jets team throughout the 2016 campaign, and he ended the year with only three scores. Despite his well-documented struggles, the Giants nevertheless took a flier on the proven product with the hope he will flourish in the same offense set to start Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and rookie tight end Evan Engram.
It’s clear Marshall wants to make new friends among his to-be teammates, as multiple reports have surfaced he has used Facetime to work with Giants quarterback Eli Manning away from the practice field. Marshall even shared a video of him doing so via Instagram last week. It is, of course, easy for anybody to be a solid teammate now when enjoying the summer weather and not in pads, but that Marshall is seemingly obsessed with his new playbook and with impressing a two-time Super Bowl MVP are only good signs.
The harsh reality here, one likely not lost on Marshall, is that he is at the end of the road of a solid career. The two-year contract he signed with the Giants in March will likely be the last deal offered to him by a franchise unless he proves himself to be a revelation at 34 years old. Spotrac estimates he’s already earned over $70 million from his NFL contracts, but an appearance in a Super Bowl and a championship ring are two things still missing from his resume.
Marshall’s 6-4 frame and the fact he won’t be asked to be the first or, in many cases, the second option for Manning will allow him to make plays against even top defenses. Whether or not he is a good teammate and a positive influence in huddles and the locker room is up to him. Marshall should help Beckham, Shepard and other younger members of the roster grow as players and pro athletes so long as he is fully dedicated to the cause.
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He could, however, sink New York’s title hopes if he proves to be the disruptive force some within the Jets have advertised him to be. It’s on Marshall to quiet all critics and make everyone remember him wearing only Big Blue during his stint in New York as an active player.