Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
This article is dedicated to my cousin and fellow Chicago Bears fan, Andrew Guy Younger who passed away a year ago today at the age of 22.
I remember last off-season on Twitter, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and at the time Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall teased a reunion in Chicago. Later on, the Chicago Bears traded for Cutlers old teammate from Denver, turning their Twitter rant into a reality. Bears fans across the globe were excited to know that we now have a #1 wide receiver.
Cutler and Marshall picked up where they left off in Denver, connection after connection, Jay Cutler made good use of Marshall. In a year where they started off strong, lead by a defense that continued to create turnovers, also put points on the board to help out the offense.
The former Denver Bronco and Miami Dolphin came into the 2012 season, having over 1,000 yards receiving in his previous 5 seasons. This following season, Marshall became the first Chicago Bears wide receiver since Marty Booker (2001, 2002) to have over 1,000 yards with 1,508 and 11 touchdowns. The first time a Chicago Bears receiver (he had 11 in 2012) had over 10 receiving touchdowns, the last being Dick Gordon (13, also led the league in receptions) in 1970. Their season how ever didn’t really end that well.
They did what they had to do in beating the Detroit Lions, but left their playoff hopes in the hands of the Green Bay Packers who lost to a single season rushing record hungry Adrian Peterson and Minnesota Vikings.
When the season ended, Brandon Marshall underwent arthroscopic surgery, which gave Marshall nearly 3 months to get back to 100% before off season activities started. He deemed himself 100% healthy earlier this week, but the doctors for the Bears weren’t convinced he could handle a full workout until Tuesday. The Pro Bowl wide receiver has dealt with hip issues for several years and has had other surgeries done in his career.
In a new season just months away, the offense for this Chicago Bears team looks very different. Having new offensive coaches and players, mainly on the offensive line, Marshall and Cutler should get back to where they left off last season.
Now that Brandon Marshall has the green light, he can return to the field and get to work as he and his teammates prepare for a possible playoff run. So now that Brandon Marshall is once again 100% healthy and the offensive line looks as if it could have protection for Cutler, how consistent could this offense be?
He sent out a Tweet 2 hours ago after finding out he was cleared.
Just got cleared to get back out there with my teammates. #Glory. Only right to get in the zone by blasting @Unclereece Until I pass out.
— BEAST (@BMarshall) June 4, 2013