Bears Blitz

Published by Mike Chiari on March 14, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Just hours after being traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Chicago Bears for two third-round picks, it was revealed that wide receiver Brandon Marshall was allegedly involved in a bar altercation that could result in discipline from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

According to Kirstan Conley of the New York Post, Marshall was at a New York club on Sunday and got into an argument with a group of people who were celebrating a birthday. Marshall reportedly got into a fight with an unnamed football player.

When Christin Myles, whose birthday was being celebrated, went to see why Marshall and her friends were arguing, Marshall allegedly punched Myles in the left eye, according to Conley. This resulted in Myles filing a police report. However, Marshall’s lawyer denied the claim and said Marshall’s wife suffered an injury after being hit with a bottle.

There is no question that the NFL will take a long, hard look at this incident since Marshall has a history of getting himself into trouble. Just last year he was allegedly stabbed by his wife, and in 2007 he was involved in a bar altercation that ultimately led to the shooting death of former Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.

Marshall has been arrested numerous times, which may prevent Goodell from giving him the benefit of the doubt.

One interesting thing to note from Marshall’s perspective is detailed in a recent tweet by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. According to Marvez, if Marshall is suspended by the league, then the clause that guarantees $6 million of his base salary will be voided.

If nothing else, this incident shines some light on what the Dolphins were thinking when they traded him. Many scratched their heads at the notion of trading one of the league’s most talented receivers for two third-rounders. There were some whispers (here from The Sun Sentinel via PFT) that a certain free-agent quarterback wanted Marshall gone before considering signing in Miami, but it appears as though the trade is linked to the altercation.

This wasn’t a case of the Dolphins pulling the wool over the Bears eyes, however. According to ESPN, Bears general manager Phil Emery said that both the Bears and Dolphins knew about the incident, so obviously Chicago was willing to take the risk by dealing for him.

Both the Bears and Dolphins were aware of what occurred over the weekend. We decided to move forward with the trade. We have high expectations for Brandon as a Bear, Emery said.

One under-the-radar aspect of this trade that has been lost amid Marshall’s alleged altercation is that he will be reunited with his quarterback from the Denver Broncos, Jay Cutler. His new quarterback sounded off about the trade on ESPN Radio 1000, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, and supported Marshall.

I know he has a checkered past and Brandon is the first one to stand up and admit to that, Cutler said. But I know deep down he’s a good guy. He made some mistakes. But going forward I see nothing but bright things for the guy.

The Dolphins certainly got worse in terms of talent after dealing Marshall, but the trade is likely to save them a few headaches. Marshall has as much ability as any player in the league, but his immaturity off the field may be holding him back.

Marshall obviously deserves due process like anyone else, but because of his checkered past, things aren’t looking to good for him right now. If it is found that Marshall did, in fact, hit Myles, then Goodell will have no choice but to suspend him. Hitting a woman should be treated as a major offense. If guilty, Marshall could easily face a four-game ban or worse to start next season.

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