As expected, Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall is up for the challenge of facing Charles Woodson and the Green Bay Packers’ physical defensive backs.
“It’s all about matchups,” said Marshall, who had nine receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in his Bears’ debut Sunday against the Colts. ”I’m 6-5, 230 and there’s not too many DBs walking around that are that big.
”If they want to get physical, I do welcome that. You look at [Tramon] Williams and [Sam] Shields over there, and even Woodson when he’s down there. They like to mix it up a lot. They give you different looks and that’s what [gives] them big play potential.”
Marshall said he think the Packers’ secondary is better than it looks on paper. The Packers were last in the NFL in pass defense last season (299.8 yards per game) — partially because teams had to pass so often to try to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.
”I think they’re really good,” Marshall said. ”The numbers do no justice. When you look at the talent they have on that side of the ball, especially in the secondary, they can make a big play at any moment. We’ve got to be prepared for that and try to take advantage of the opportunities they do give us.”
But Marshall was not exactly effusive in his praise for Woodson, who has made eight Pro Bowls, including the last four seasons.
“He’s just a football player,” Marshall said. ”Whenever you’re in a system where they’re going to use you to your best ability, you should be successful. And that’s what he does.
”The plays he makes on the ball, sacking the quarterback, forced fumbles, things like that, that’s something that you learn at an early age. It seems like he’s playing the game like he’s still in Pop Warner and you have to love that. Woodson is getting older and he’s getting better.”
