Numerous reports have emerged over the weekend about the Cincinnati Bengals possibly making a move to trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Bengals entered the 2010 offseason knowing the main focus should be improving the wide-receiving core, and Marshall could have an immediate impact on a team that finished 26th last season in the passing game.
Last Thursday, the Bengals released Laveranues Coles after just one season in Cincinnati. Coles was signed last March to fill the hole left by T.J. Houshmandzadeh as an effective No. 2 wideout to play alongside Chad Ochocinco. Instead, he fell nothing short of disappointing as he finished 2009 with just 43 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns.
As intriguing as Marshall playing for the Bengals next season sounds, it won’t be easy to acquire the two-time Pro Bowler from the Broncos. Denver tendered Marshall with a first-round pick, which means Cincinnati would have to be willing to give up the 21st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to do so—which seems highly unlikely.
The Bengals have been linked to a number of wide receivers to pursue during free agency—including Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant. The reports may just be small talk for now, but it should be interesting to see how this story progresses over the next couple of days.
It’s clear Cincinnati is in desperate need of a wide receiver; the only question that remains to be answered is which one will end up wearing stripes next season with the Bengals.
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