Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Brandon Marshall has done a fine job on and off the field this season.
He’s reeled in 35 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns.
Over the past two games, Marshall has caught seven or more passes for 130 yards and one touchdown.
He is on pace for 112 catches and 1,581 yards, which both would be franchise records.
He’s done a fine job staying out of trouble off the field as well and has really opened up to the idea of becoming a changed man. The only mishap was the feud he had with former NFL star Warren Sapp.
He said a couple weeks back (via ESPNChicago.com) that he would like to finish his NFL career with the Bears, “I have the opportunity like a lot of other guys to end my career as a Bear.”
Marshall seems open to the idea of letting Bears legend Mike Ditka into his life as a mentor and friend.
“He just told me it’s a great opportunity here for me,” Marshall said Tuesday on ESPN1000 of his meeting with Ditka. “There’s a lot of things I can do on and off the field, especially with the foundation we’re trying to establish in the community, and just take advantage of it. Coach Ditka has been support for me. I think in the next week or so we’re going to sit down with him and his wife and have dinner.”
“I’m going to pick his brain every chance. Coach Ditka, he’s a pro’s pro. He’s one of those guys that you really need to pay attention to when you’re around him.”
Coach Ditka, who is still active as a Bears hero and fan said he talked Marshall for a little bit during the beginning of the season when the two first met at Ditka’s restaurant.
Ditka had this to say about Marshall’s talent and fit with the Bears:
“He’s a unique athlete with a great opportunity,” Ditka said via ESPNChicago.com. “This is a pretty good town to play football in, especially if you’re playing on a football team that’s good and can win. This is a Bears town, guys, no matter how you want to cut it. They’re going to show up, and they’re going to pull for the Bears and root for the Bears, and that’s how it should be.
“This kid’s got a great opportunity here. I like what’s going on right now, I really do.”
In two career games against the Detroit Lions, Marshall has 19 catches for 198 yards.
He had a big night during Week Four against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football reeling in seven catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
He will likely be looking to build off of that impressive performance against the Lions in a NFC North battle.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
