The flavor of the week in the Ravens' attempt to solidify the receiver position is disgruntled Denver Broncos wide-out Brandon Marshall, which should tell you a couple of things about the situation.
It should tell you that general manager Ozzie Newsome's early attempt to play down the importance of an outside acquisition probably was just posturing to strengthen his poker hand in case the right deal came along.
It should also tell you how fragile the current situation has become with Derrick Mason recovering from surgery, Mark Clayton struggling with a foot issue and Demetrius Williams coming off an injury-shortened 2008 season.
Marshall is a great receiver who has rolled up nearly 2,600 yards the past two seasons, and now he wants the Broncos to trade him. He's also a troubled soul who has some serious off-field issues to go along with his contract disagreement with the team. Though he does not seem to be the kind of "high-integrity" guy that Newsome and coach John Harbaugh have made a priority, the team apparently is taking a hard look at him.
Who knows where that goes, but it continues a thread that has run throughout this offseason. The Ravens were prominently mentioned in trade speculation when Anquan Boldin was the hot receiver who might be on the market. They were thought to be in play for a receiver in the draft but took offensive lineman Michael Oher in the first round. Now, the rumor mill is churning again.
Still, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron aren't conceding anything about the receiver position as it's currently configured.
"We don't consider it a weakness by any stretch," Harbaugh said. "We want to make every position stronger. We're open to any player at any position if it will make us better."
Not necessarily Marshall, of course. The Ravens don't talk specifically about players under contract to other teams, but you get the idea.
The coaching staff and front office have to walk a tightrope in situations like this. If Harbaugh or Newsome came right out and said they have to have a big-play wide-out for the team to get to the next level, it would ring like a vote of no-confidence in the guys who are here now.
Newsome wasn't biting when he was asked about the receiver situation during the pre-draft media luncheon a couple of months ago.
