Brandon Marshall: Another T.O In The Making

Denver had a rough off-season this summer. They fired long-time head coach Mike Shanahan and hired New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, which lead to Jay Cutler‘s dispute.

McDaniels tried to trade for his quarterback at New England, Matt Cassel, but the trade didn’t fall through. Jay Cutler was unaware of this trade until the word got around. Cutler found out and told Denver he wanted to be traded away, which lead to months of dispute before finally getting traded to the Chicago Bears for a first round pick and quarterback Kyle Orton.

Brandon Marshall was the next complaining victim of the Denver Broncos. Marshall wanted either a new contract or to be traded. He was in and out of training camp and also said he wouldn’t play a game for Denver.

Marshall was later suspended, but the suspension was lifted after telling coaches he would play for them, but still wanted his contract.

Denver entered the preseason, losing all but the last game defeating Arizona 19-0.

Entering the regular season, questions still remained about Brandon Marshall and the rest of the Denver Broncos. Kyle Orton, who was named the starting quarterback, had a struggling preseason along with the rest of the Denver team.

Brandon Marshall struggled during the first 2 Weeks of the season, posting seven catches for seven catches for 61 yards. Denver still won those games, including a 87-yard miracle catch to win during week one. Denver ended up winning their first six games, including victories against New England, Dallas and San Diego. Marshall posted 29 catches for 332 yards and four touchdowns during those six games.

Marshall was happy again, and we didn’t hear one complaint from him during the Broncos six-game win streak. He was smiling, and even has an interview with NFL Network talking about how “the past is the past” and “it was a mistake” with holding out and not wanting to play for Denver.

After their bye during Week 7, Denver has yet to win a game since. Marshall was seen getting in a dispute by yelling and pushing teammate running back Knowshon Moreno.

Now that Denver isn’t winning, Marshall is right back to where he was before, unhappy to be a Bronco, and getting in disputes with teammates and coaches.

Sound familiar?

Sound’s just like Terrell Owens. When things are going good, you won’t hear a word from them, they’ll play the hardest they can and will be all smiles.

But when things go bad, things go even worse for Owens and Marshall.

Marshall and Owens share a lot in common. Although these guys are some of the top receivers in the game, you can’t build your franchise around them.

Receivers like Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Hines Ward, Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald are the receivers that deserve that type of money. They learn to shut their mouths and just play the game as hard as they can, and lead their team to success.

 

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32 Teams In 32 Days: Denver Broncos

Lets think back to when Mike Shanahan was head coach: The Broncos were considered contenders. They had one of the top quarterbacks in the league in Jay Cutler. Brandon Marshall was happy to be a Bronco.

But then Shanahan was fired, and hell broke loose.

The Broncos hired Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. But can you blame them? Who wouldn’t want the man you helped put the Patriots number one offense together? I know I wouldn’t mind it.

But that’s when the problem started.

McDaniels tried to bring the Patriots offense with him to the Broncos. A trade almost went down that would have sent Jay Cutler to the Buccaners and brought Matt Cassell, the quarterback he coached last year, to Denver.

The trade didn’t fall through, but their was a problem with it anyway—Jay Cutler.

Cutler found out about the trade and took it very personally. He then asked to be released or traded. After a long month, he was finally traded to the Bears for their first round pick and Kyle Orton.

But, the mile high drama didn’t stop there. Now Brandon Marshall wants a new contract, or to get out. Can McDaniels keep this team together? Thats the question we’d all like to know the answer to.

Denver made many moves during this offseason; some good, some bad.

Offseason Acquisitions:

Added:

Correll Buckhalter, RB.

Andra Davis, LB.

Brian Dawkins, S.

Ronald Fields, DT.

Jabar Gaffney, WR.

Andre Goodman, CB.

Brandon Gorin, OT.

Nick Griesen, LB.

Renaldo Hill, S.

Dirk Johnson, P.

Lamont Jordan, RB.

Kyle Orton, QB.

Darrell Reid, DT.

Chris Simms, QB.

Darius Walker, RB.

Lost:

Tatum Bell, RB.

Dre Bly, CB.

Ebenezer Ekuban, DE.

John Engelberger, DE.

Darrell Jackson, WR.

Niko Koutouvides, LB.

Marquand Manuel, S.

Marlon McCree, S.

Tom Nalen, C.

Karl Paymah, CB.

PJ Pope, RB.

Patrick Ramsey, QB.

Dewayne Robertson, DT.

Michael Pittman, RB.

Nate Webster, LB.

Jamie Winborn, OLB.

Selvin Young, RB.

Draft Picks:

1(12). Knowshon Moreno, RB. Draft Grade: B+

1(18). Robert Ayers, DE. Draft grade: B

2(37). Alphonso Smith, CB. Draft Grade: A

2(48). Darcel McBath, S. Draft Grade: B-

2(64). Richard Quinn, TE. Draft Grade: D

4(114). David Bruton, S. Draft Grade: C

4(132). Seth Olsen, G. Draft Grade: B

5(141). Kelvin McKinley, WR. Draft Grade: C-

6(174). Tom Brandstater, QB. Draft Grade: B

7(225). Blake Schileter, C. Draft Grade: D+

• Right when you thought the Broncos added enough running backs, they drafted Moreno to be their number one.
• Robert Ayers was a one year wonder, but shot up draft boards with an amazing senior year. All-American tackle Andre Smith said he was the hardest player to cover. Boom-or-Bust pick of the draft.
• Alphonso Smith was a steal in the second round, fell on the draft boards because of his height(5-9). Could be the top corner in this draft.
• Darcel McBath could start along side Brian Dawkins at Safety.
• Denver traded up in the draft to select tight end Richard Quinn. He’s a good blocker, but lacks recieving skills. Bit of a reach here.
• Saftey David Bruton, guard Seth Olsen and center Blake Sclueter with all provide depth at their positions.
• Kelvin Mikinley comes from a school where receivers that struggle in the NFL.
• Tom Brandstater has a great name for a quarterback, but can he produce at the same level as other quaterbacks in the NFL? He could surprise.

Draft Grade: B-

Breakout Player: Kyle Orton, QB.

 

• Kyle Orton is now the starting quarterback after being brought to Denver during the Jay Cutler trade. He put up solid numbers for a team with weak receivers, and could put up even better numbers with better receivers.

Is change really for the best? That’s what fans are wondering after the many moves Denver made this offseason. New head coach Josh McDaniels came in and lost Denvers star quarterback, and now have their best player wanting out also.

Can McDaniels fix everything as well as he messed it up? He has a lot to prove, and I think McDaniels could be sitting on the couch this time next year if he doesn’t come up with a winning record right away.

Projected Record: 5-11

 

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