LINK to the article Big talk from Marshall on Bears rookie Jeffery By Vaughn McClure, Tribune reporter 1:48 p.m. CDT, July 31, 2012
BOURBONNAIS -- Here is one aspect about Brandon Marshall’s character that’s easy to recognize: The witty Chicago Bears receiver understands how to cleverly phrase his thoughts, even if some of his tales seem a little embellished.
Such was the case during Tuesday’s lunch-time media access outside the dining hall. Marshall took a moment to offer this take on rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery.
"I’m sure he can learn a lot from me but at the same time, I’ve already learned a few things ... just 10 minutes ago, I wrote some things down taken from his game," Marshall said.
The three-time Pro Bowler apparently was making a reference to Jeffery’s work against cornerbacks and press coverage. Maybe Jeffery is a little bit advanced in that category, considering the competition he faced while playing at South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference.
Marshall, who played at Central Florida, also noted how Jeffery was far more advanced than he was as a rookie in Denver. If such is the case, then the Bears might eventually boast one of the top big-receiver tandems in the league.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Marshall has lived up to the hype with his electrifying catches in camp. And outside of a first-day fumble, the 6-3, 216-pound Jeffery has been sure-handed and smooth with his routes.
"Every receiver is different," Marshall said. "Alshon is a totally different receiver than me. And that’s the good thing about our group, is that we have different guys to play different roles. Whether that’s (Devin) Hester, Earl (Bennett), Eric (Weems), Alshon, myself, everyone does something totally different."
By the way, Marshall started one game as a rookie in 2006 but played in 15 contests that year. He finished with 20 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns playing alongside current teammate Jay Cutler and Jake Plummer, the Broncos’ starting quarterback at the beginning of the ’06 season.
We will see if Jeffery can top those numbers. The most receptions by a rookie in Bears history were the 63 grabs by running back Matt Forte in 2008. The most receiving yards by a Bears rookie were the 1,124 yards compiled by Harlon Hill in 1954.
