3. Here's a stat-based story showing why the Dolphins needed Marshall from ESPN.com's Tim Graham. The important graphs:

"Marshall was one of the most dangerous receivers on throws that traveled at least 15 yards. The Denver Broncos targeted him 34 times, connecting 11 times for 354 yards and three touchdowns. The Dolphins scored only two touchdowns when the pass traveled at least 15 yards.

"Marshall was a monster in the middle of the field, an area few receivers dare to tread. He made 27 catches between the hash marks. Dolphin receivers Ted Ginn (10), Davone Bess (five), Greg Camarillo (four) and Brian Hartline (three) combined for 22 catches between the hashes."

4. Here's a stat-based story from KC Joyner of ESPN.com that suggests Marshall isn't the big-play answer for the Dolphins:

"Marshall does possess some elite skills, something that is evidenced by the fact that no receiver has been targeted more often than he has the past two seasons, but vertical receiving hasn't been one of them.

"For proof, one needs to look no further than his downfield pass-catching metrics in 2008 and '09. Marshall's 8.5 combined vertical YPA total in that time frame ranks him 52nd out of the 57 receivers who saw 48 or more targets in each of the past two seasons (48 targets being the minimum bar for inclusion as a qualifier on the metric charts). It wasn't a matter of one poor season offsetting a good season, either, as Marshall's highest single-season ranking was 55th."

5. It's always interesting to read the opposing city's take in moves like this. Here's the column of The Denver Post's Woody Paige. He writes: "The Miami Dolphins win. They got the prime-target, prime-time Pro Bowl wide receiver they sought, although they will pay the price, in more ways than one, and could lose in the end."

The tenth thought is feels the best. The fact that we snagged the best offensive and best defensive player in this FA market is quite heartening.

I would argue that Julius Peppers was the best defensive FA. Best linebacker in free agency though.

Yeah, it's not the deep ball that makes him dangerous....it's the over the middle stuff (slants, digs, drags) and screens.

Exactly, along with the fact that is is lethal with the ball after the catch and gives you big YAC yards.

OK, one more message before class starts in 5 mins: I'm impressed w/Brandon Marshall. My 1st impression was 'damn he's tall'!

What a great way 2 start my day! We got Brandon! It's gonna b hard to stack the line of scrimmage. Ronnie & I r the happiest people on Earth

4. Here's a stat-based story from KC Joyner of ESPN.com that suggests Marshall isn't the big-play answer for the Dolphins:

"Marshall does possess some elite skills, something that is evidenced by the fact that no receiver has been targeted more often than he has the past two seasons, but vertical receiving hasn't been one of them.

"For proof, one needs to look no further than his downfield pass-catching metrics in 2008 and '09. Marshall's 8.5 combined vertical YPA total in that time frame ranks him 52nd out of the 57 receivers who saw 48 or more targets in each of the past two seasons (48 targets being the minimum bar for inclusion as a qualifier on the metric charts). It wasn't a matter of one poor season offsetting a good season, either, as Marshall's highest single-season ranking was 55th."

That's why I think we keep Ginn if we can't get value for him.

Ginn sucks!!! He's nothing! Heck, everyone knows that Calvin Johnson was taken in that draft! We could have had ANYBODY ELSE and they'd have done a LOT better! He SUCKS!!!

Ted Ginn
5486 APyd, 128 receptions (13.0 avg), 10 TDs, 2 x 100 yd games, 1 x 10+ reception game

Dwayne Bowe
2606 APyd, 203 receptions (12.8 avg), 16 Tds, 5 x 100 yd games, 1 x 10+ reception game

Robert Meachem
1113 APyd, 57 receptions (17.7 avg), 13 TDs, 1 x 100 yd game

Sidney Rice
1849 APyd, 129 receptions (14.3 avg), 16 TDs, 4 x 100 yd games

Steve Smith (NYG)
1857 APyd, 172 receptions (10.8 avg), 8 TDs, 3 x 100 yd games, 3 x 10+ reception games

Jacoby Jones
2777 APyd, 45 receptions (14.8 avg), 6 TDs

Anthony Gonzalez
1240 APyd, 94 receptions (13.2 avg), 7 TDs, 3 x 100 yd games

Uh...ALL of these guys were drafted in '07 like Ginn. Bowe, Meachem and Gonzalez were drafted in the first round like he was.

Keep in mind, he accumulated this stuff as the focal point of our passing attack. HE has been the guy the other team doubles. Now they don't have that luxury, because Marshall will eat single coverage like a pizza.

I would like to see Ginn stick around. I think he just might blossom without the 'he's got to be the #1 guy' pressure.

Ted Ginn
10 Fumbles.

Dwayne Bowe
1 Fumble.

Robert Meachem
2 Fumbles.

Sidney Rice
1 Fumble.

Steve Smith (NYG)
1 Fumble.

Jacoby Jones
8 Fumbles. (Benched, anyone know why?)

Anthony Gonzalez
0 Fumbles.

So 1 negative over-rides all the positives? He has more than double the All Purpose yards of any other player on that list. His receiving numbers are almost up to snuff with any of them too. The kid faces a lot of negativity because he didn't live up to the expectations of the #9 overall pick... that doesn't mean he's a bad football player.

I'm 100% for keeping him.

You won't get the value for him so you keep Ginn and he flourishes like Bess and Hartline with all the attention BM gets Henne will find the open player - Ginn won't have the pressure and will finally just concentrate