New York Giants: Reasons To Love The Brandon Marshall Signing

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Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Moving The Chains

The ultimate testament to the strength of the New York Giants’ defense is how poor the offense was in 2016. It not only struggled to find the end zone, but often had trouble with moving the chains and keeping the defense off the field.

If there’s only one thing that Brandon Marshall can still do, it’s move the chains on a consistent basis as a possession receiver.

New York ranked No. 29 in the NFL in first downs during the 2016 NFL regular season, including a ranking of No. 23 via passes. Those rankings are even more unacceptable than the Giants’ consistent inability to find the end zone.

Marshall, meanwhile, overcame horrendous quarterback play to register 43 first downs on 59 receptions—a rate of 72.9 percent.

Prior to 2016, Marshall had created at least 70 first downs in three of the previous four seasons. Including 2016, he’s recorded at least 53 first downs in eight of his past 10 seasons, which creates quite the level of dependability.

No matter what else he is or isn’t capable of doing, Marshall should give the Giants upwards of 50 first downs during the 2016 season if he’s targeted accordingly.

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