2. Brandon Marshall
Marshall is playing at a truly elite level at inside linebacker on arguably the NFL’s best defense. His tackling ability and speed has been impressive this season and Sunday he will have a tough test in one particular area.
Tight end Gary Barnidge, an eight year veteran, has suddenly become an elite pass catcher in head coach Mike Pettine’s offense. Sunday, Marshall will likely be the player used most often to cover Barnidge. According to the Browns media relations, he is first in third down receptions (11), second in receiving yards (374), second in receiving average (15.6), third in touchdowns (3) and third in receptions (24) among NFL tight ends.
Marshall understands the challenge but takes the responsibility of covering tight ends with a lot of pride each week. He has been studying the breakout season Barnidge is having.
“When we have man coverage we [inside linebackers] have to be on the tight ends,” Marshall said Friday. “He’s a big body guy. I have to really play my technique, try not to get bodied by him. He can body you and make big catches. I take a lot of pride in it because it’s my job.”
Just last week Barnidge caught eight of 10 targets from quarterback Josh McCown for 139 yards and one touchdown. Pettine made it clear on Monday why Barnidge is getting so many looks in the passing offense recently and it highlights why Marshall’s coverage will be so important Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
“If you look at our receivers on the outside, we don’t have big targets. We’re actually the opposite of that. [WR Andrew] Hawkins, [WR Travis] Benjamin and [WR Taylor] Gabriel aren’t the biggest targets, so it’s nice to have that presence in the middle of the field that can make plays. Gary is the ultimate professional. He shows up for work, he knows what to do, he runs his routes, he gets open and he catches the ball.”
