Owners Meetings: Brandon Marshall Thinks His Experience Can Help Odell Beckham Jr.

PHOENIX -- Dressed in a light, white cotton shirt, veteran receiver Brandon Marshall dealt with the desert heat while answering questions from a large semi-circle of reporters at the annual league meetings at the lavish Arizona Biltmore Hotel. 

While Marshall fits in on the football field, he stood out among NFL executives clothed in designer suits. 

But Marshall belonged on Monday morning. He was invited to address the league and give a player's perspective in an effort to bridge the gap between players and owners.

"I think it's evident that our relationship can be so much better," he said.

When thinking about Marshall's history, it's pretty shocking that he's now in the position he is within the league. Early in his career, Marshall wasn't high on the NFL's favorites list -- he was suspended for three games in 2008 after a couple off-the-field run-ins with the law.  

Marshall, now 33, is the perfect example of a player developing maturity along the way. And it's in that arena where he could be the most help to his new teammate Odell Beckham Jr. 

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While Beckham has been incredible during his first three NFL seasons, at times, his emotions have gotten the best of him on the field and his maturity has been questioned. 

Marshall thinks he can help. 

"I've been on both ends of this spectrum," Marshall said. "I've been a problem and I've also been a solution. I have a wealth of experience. I just think organically and naturally, whenever he needs, not only him, but any guy in that receiver room, whenever they need to pull from that, they'll do it in a natural and organic way. 

"We have to remember that Odell's 22, 23 years old and we all have our own journey. He's the ultimate competitor and I want him to stay exactly where he's at. It's just sometimes it's easy for us as wide receivers and football players to cross that line, but he'll grow. And next year he's not going to be perfect and the year after that he's not going to be perfect. Shoot, I'm 33 and every year I get better and better. I'm not perfect. I just want him to stay on the track that he's on and mature."

If Marshall can help Beckham and make him even better, that should be pretty scary for the Eagles and the rest of the NFC East.  

Through three NFL seasons, Beckham has 288 catches for 4,122 yards and 35 touchdown catches. He's the only player in league history to do that in his first three seasons. Now, he'll be in a receiving corps with Marshall and second-year player Sterling Shepard. 

"I met Odell a few years ago and we started to form a friendship," Marshall said. "We have a great rapport already, so me coming here was organic and natural. He's awesome. I love him."

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