Marshall, Marshall, Marshall: Denver Receiver’s Name May Be Called by N.Y. Jets

“There are no discussions whatsoever taking place between the Denver Broncos and any team in the National Football League regarding Brandon Marshall,” Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said. “We are looking forward to having Brandon back on the sixth of September and starting our preparation for Cincinnati with him.”

About an hour later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos were interested in New York Jets middle linebacker David Harris, and that two sources confirmed the interest.

As it is understood by Schefter, the Broncos would like a player who can help them this season, as well as a draft pick that will help them next season and beyond.

Marshall’s unofficial asking price was a first and a fourth round pick, so a trade return of Harris and a third round pick would be enticing to the Broncos, especially for a player that has serious attitude issues.

 

Projected Trade

Jets get

WR Brandon Marshall

Broncos get

MLB David Harris

2010 third round pick

 

This seems like a very even trade for both sides. The Jets get a premier wide receiver for rookie Mark Sanchez to sling the ball to, and the Broncos continue to revamp their defense with a young, up-and-coming linebacker and a high draft pick in 2010.

Acquiring an extra third round pick would also equip the Broncos to move up in the 2010 NFL Draft if they so choose.

Still, this trade seems unlikely. McDaniels’ statements could be seen as a smokescreen, as he said roughly the same thing about quarterback Jay Cutler.

If the Broncos deal Marshall, it would be upsetting on multiple levels. Not only would they have given in to his petty demands, but they would also be sending a message to the other players on the team that all they have to do is throw a temper tantrum and they can leave.

I still believe the best option for the Broncos is to keep Marshall for the 2009 season and trade him next offseason.

It is a gamble, but one they have to take.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Brandon Marshall Rumored to Be Pursued by Jets; TMZ Can’t Confirm

And the rumor clock keeps on ticking.

Three days ago, I suggested Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall should be traded to the 49ers for Michael Crabtree and Alex Smith.

Not possible.

Yesterday, I speculated based on a Scout.com rumor that the Broncos could engage in a three-team trade that would send Marshall to the Cardinals, Anquan Boldin to the Chiefs, and Matt Leinart to the Broncos.

Not happening.

This morning, I will speculate on yet another Marshall trade rumor, one that seems to have at least a little bit of life to it.

According to Pro Football Talk through Bob Glauber of Newsday, the New York Jets are contemplating a trade that would send wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Big Apple.

There is no doubt the Jets are in dire need of a premier wide receiver, but a similar report from the Denver Post thinks this is all just hoopla. 

Per the report from Jeff Legwold’s Denver Broncos blog, the Jets are unwilling to part with a first-round pick, and Legwold thinks the Broncos should stand firm in their asking price of two draft choices, a first-rounder and a fourth-rounder.

My question to the Jets would be this: “Why would you even pick up the phone if you are not willing to part with what the Broncos want?”

The Broncos are in no place where they have to trade Brandon Marshall. Has he been a nuisance? Sure, but the Broncos technically can hold on to his rights for the next three years. If another team wants him, they are going to have to pay top dollar.

So, if the Jets want Marshall bad enough, they will shell out the draft picks, or there likely will be no deal, and the Broncos will move on and try to win football games with their disgruntled receiver.

It is as simple as that.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall on the Move? Three-Team Deal May Be in the Works

Do not get offended, Brandon Marshall.

Rumor has it via Scout.com’s Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals affiliates that star wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall could be on the move via a three-way trade between the Chiefs, Cardinals, and Broncos.

I was notified by fellow Broncos writer Randy Garcia that the proposed trade would be roughly as follows:

Cardinals Get

WR Brandon Marshall

Chiefs Get

WR Anquan Boldin

Broncos Get

QB Matt Leinart

Okay, so this proposed deal does not make very much sense up front. It seems as though the Broncos are getting a pretty raw deal considering they have been rumored to be holding out for first and fourth round picks in exchange for Marshall. Not to mention this deal has the Chiefs giving up absolutely nothing.

A more fair deal would look as such:

Cardinals Get

WR Brandon Marshall

QB Tyler Thigpen

Chiefs’ fifth round pick

Chiefs Get

WR Anquan Boldin

Broncos Get

QB Matt Leinart

Chiefs’ first round pick

This seems like a pretty balanced return for all parties involved. The Cardinals get Boldin off their hands, and Brandon Marshall gets a fresh start. Arizona would also maintain the top WR duo in the NFL this way.

The Chiefs and head coach Todd Haley could put together a stellar wide receiver duo with Boldin and Dwayne Bowe and get rid of Thigpen, a guy who has been on the market for a while.

The Broncos get rid of Marshall and his antics while getting a quarterback of the future and a likely early to mid-first round pick. 

The only thing holding this type of trade back is Marshall. The Cardinals have to be willing not only to deal Boldin, but also to be ready to give Marshall a long-term contract at the end of this season, which is why I view this deal as somewhat unlikely.

Only time will tell, but a deal will need to be done soon, if at all.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Tom Brandstater To Be Thrown to the Wolves?

Tom Brandstater (Brand-stay-ter).

Learn the name, Bronco fans, because the rookie sixth-round pick out of Fresno State will be your opening day starting quarterback pending a roster move by the team.

Although the team has not issued a formal statement as to the duration starting quarterback Kyle Orton will spend healing a dislocated index knuckle, the Denver Post did report that Orton’s injury will require extensive stitching as the bone that was dislocated cut his skin all the way down to the bone on his throwing index finger.

Not so great.

To top it off with a cherry, the second highest paid backup quarterback in the NFL, Chris Simms, will be out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain to start the season.

That leaves Brandstater and recently signed quarterback Ingle Martin, who is probably the worst player on Madden 10 with a game rating of 35.

Brandstater is leaps and bounds ahead of Martin in terms of learning the offense, so he figures to get the opening day start unless the Broncos bring in someone else who is ready to play against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Normally, starters do not participate in the fourth preseason game, but that will not likely be the case with Brandstater who needs a little more time getting comfortable with the offense.

At least if Brandstater takes the field against the Bengals, he has a solid vote of confidence from his head coach, Josh McDaniels.

“Tom Brandstater has done a nice job of learning our offense,” McDaniels said after the team’s 27-17 loss to Chicago. “He knows what to do.  If needed he will go in there and play.”

If only he knew.

This will not be the first time a sixth-round pick named Tom took over for a team struggling with health issues at the quarterback position, and we all know how that turned out.

While Broncos fans will certainly not be at ease with Brandstater under center for the entire regular season, he is perfectly capable of doing what it seems as though every quarterback on the Broncos’ roster has been doing all preseason long, and that is throwing a lot of short passes, screen passes, and handing the ball off to the running back.

 

Brandstater at a Glance (Statistics Courtesy of the Denver Broncos’ Official Web Site)

• a quarterback who started for three seasons at Fresno State University, finishing his career ranked fifth in school history in completions (584), sixth in passing yards (6,857), and seventh in touchdown passes (47)
• accounted for 55 total touchdowns (47 passing, eight rushing) at Fresno State and was a first-team Academic All-Western Athletic Conference pick during each of his final three collegiate seasons
• totaled the fourth-most passing yards in the WAC with a career-high 2,664 yards along with a personal-best 18 touchdown passes as a senior for Fresno State in 2008
• ranked 23rd in the nation and fourth in the WAC in passer rating (140.5) as a junior in 2007, completing a personal-best 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,654 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions

Obviously, we’re not in Fresno anymore, but at 6’5″, 223 pounds and with the pedigree that Brandstater brings with him, if he knows the offense like head coach Josh McDaniels claims he does, the Broncos and their fans can definitely make do in their season opener against the Bengals.

If fellow rookie and running back Knowshon Moreno can get back on the field in time for the opener, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall learns the offense, Brandstater will not have to be any kind of hero.

What a better dream for a rookie quarterback than:

1. an offensive line that only allowed 11.5 sacks in 2008
2. the top running back in the draft in Moreno and a great dual threat in free agent acquisition Correll Buckhalter
3. an emerging star and quadruple threat in fullback/tight end/running back/kick returner Peyton Hillis
4. a receiving core of Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Chad Jackson, Brandon Lloyd, and Kenny McKinley
5. safety valves at tight end in Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham, and Richard Quinn
6. a defense that appears to be playing some inspired football, to say the least
7. a head coach that has confidence in you
8. your first game is against the Bengals

Now, I am not going to come out and say that Brandstater is going to lead Denver to the Super Bowl. But I will say that having as many weapons and options as Brandstater has, it will be hard for him to mess this up unless he is absolutely so inaccurate that the receivers and running backs are simply unable to field any of his passes.

Broncos fans figured Brandstater could be their own version of Tom Brady maybe somewhere three years or so down the road, and they may get a glimpse into the future when the Broncos open their season on the road in Cincinnati.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

If Deion Branch Gets Cut, Reunion With McDaniels in Denver Possible

Reports from the Tacoma News Tribune indicate that wide receiver Deion Branch, a big trade acquisition of the Seattle Seahawks a couple of years ago, could be “on the bubble.”

The Seahawks’ starting wide receivers would be Nate Burleson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh if the season started today, with Branch lining up as the third receiver.

Here is the official report:

“So far, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and Deon Butler are likely in, with Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu and Jordan Kent fighting for the last couple of spots.

Or perhaps Branch could be on his way out.

The veteran will make $5 million this season to be Seattle’s third receiver and the Seahawks have a lot of depth at the position. So they may live with five receivers and let Branch go to keep a player at a different position.”

So would the Seahawks cut Branch?

Based on the report, Seattle is content with Deon Butler moving forward as the team’s third receiver.  He is a much cheaper option than Branch, and shedding his large contract would be lovely cap relief heading into the season.

If the Seahawks cut Branch, it would not be a shock to see him wind up in Denver under his former offensive coordinator and now Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels.

With a recent injury to Jabar Gaffney and reports the team is quietly shopping Brandon Marshall, there is suddenly an opening for a starting wide receiver spot.

That could intrigue Branch, especially if he could return to an offense he has some familiarity with.

Branch would allow veteran Brandon Stokley to remain in the slot, and when Gaffney returns from his thumb injury, the Broncos could have one of the deepest receiving groups in the league, even if they do trade Marshall.

This is all purely speculation, and there is no guarantee the Seahawks will rid of Branch. 

Even if they do not, and the Broncos maintain their current group, they still have arguably the most talented, deep unit in the NFL.

A mentally stable Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Stokley, Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Chad Jackson, and impressive rookie Kenny McKinley give the Broncos a very deep group of players to get the ball to.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Broncos Looking To Deal Marshall? 49ers, Crabtree Make Sense

A source tells NBC and ProFootballTalk’s lead blogger Mike Florio that the Denver Broncos are shopping begrudged wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

While this would come as a huge surprise to many fans due to the fact that Marshall’s injury history, legal history, and recent antics during practice have undoubtedly lowered his value, it is not out of the question for the Broncos to trade Marshall because he has been such a distraction.

Even cornerback Champ Bailey, a team captain, thinks there is only a “50-50” chance Marshall returns to the Broncos in 2009.

I have stated personally that I do not think Marshall is going to be traded in 2009, but that’s just because I think the Broncos should hold out for optimum value.

Obviously, the trust level has been absolutely shattered between the Broncos and Marshall, and the team has to get rid of him, whether it be this season or next.

Earlier this offseason, a Raiders writer named Ramone Brown suggested landing spots for Marshall, and one of those spots was San Francisco in exchange for rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Then I called it a joke, but now it seems like a solid option for the Broncos, and on multiple levels.

If the 49ers are willing to take on Marshall’s baggage and the unquestioned contract renewal he demands, trading away the also unhappy Crabtree could save a lot of time, and possibly money, for the time being.

Here is my proposed trade:

49ers get:

• WR Brandon Marshall

Broncos get:

• WR Michael Crabtree
• QB Alex Smith

The reason I include Smith is because the Broncos suddenly have a need for reserve quarterbacks as both Chris Simms and Kyle Orton have gone down with injuries.

I do not think the Broncos will trade away Marshall unless they are given the equivalent of a first and fourth round pick, and the Crabtree/Smith combo definitely fits that value gauge as of now.

This is purely speculation, but it is clear that the Broncos are not in Brandon Marshall’s future, and Brandon Marshall is not in the Broncos’ future plans.

So, is it so out of this world to think this could happen?

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Broncos-Bears: Cutler, Chicago Win in QB’s Return to Denver

The Denver Broncos (0-3) remain winless in the Josh McDaniels regime as Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears (2-1) came to town and won a game of “small ball.”

Broncos fans could not wait to torture their former quarterback with booing, T-shirts, signs, and basically everything in between, and the outcome was as expected.

Not only could Cutler not hear the play calls in his helmet, but the NBC cameras shook.  Invesco Field at Mile High rocked with pure hatred, all directed towards one player.

 

Random Game Thoughts

And at first, it seemed to fluster Cutler. 

Prior to a 12-play, 98-yard drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass to Matt Forte, Cutler was largely ineffective.

He finished the game 15-of-21 for 144 yards and a touchdown, and as I mentioned, led an impressive 98-yard drive to conclude the second half.

The Broncos’ starting offense was okay, but nothing to write home about.

Kyle Orton led the Broncos down the field early in the game, and a penalty-marred drive ended with a 31-yard Matt Prater field goal.

Orton finished his day completing 12-of-16 passes for 96 yards before leaving with a finger injury. 

He left the field with what appeared to be a cut on his right index finger, and head coach Josh McDaniels told NBC correspondents that Orton’s finger was not broken.

This writer’s guess is that Orton’s injury is going to require stitches, and he could be held out until the season opener against Cincinnati at the very least.

The injury bug decided to bite a couple more Broncos on Sunday night as well.

Right guard Chris Kuper, the only guard in the NFL to play all 16 games and not allow a single sack, went down with a foot injury, and he put no pressure on it as he left the field.

It did not look very promising.

Wide receiver Eddie Royal appeared to get a stinger on his hand early in the contest, but he returned to action.

Also, prior to the game, the team learned that wide receiver Jabar Gaffney had a broken thumb, and that he is expected to miss several weeks.

Watching Josh McDaniels’ post-game press conference as I type, he appears to be extremely ticked off.

He seems to be favoring the word “sloppy.”

And boy were the Broncos sloppy tonight in certain areas.

The offensive line, for the first time in a very long time, was extremely out of sync.

Uncharacteristically, Ryan Clady had three penalties of his own, while Casey Wiegmann was also flagged for holding.  It also seemed like every time the Broncos fielded a kick or punt, they were called for holding.

The Broncos finished the game with 10 penalties.

Sloppy play by the Broncos’ offensive line resulted in many first-and-long and second-and-long situations, and that really put Orton and company in tough situations.

 

Game Recap

After the game started off tied at three points apiece, punter Brett Kern made a huge mistake in punting to return specialist Devin Hester.

Did he forget to watch film from the Broncos’ 2007 matchup with the Bears?

Hester made Kern and the Broncos pay, taking the punt all the way inside the Denver five yard line (It should be noted that safety David Bruton was held all the way down the field).

After Hester’s great return, Matt Forte was able to punch the ball in from one yard out to increase the Chicago lead to 10-3.

Denver’s offense continued to shoot itself in the foot with penalties, and a defensive stop by the Bears resulted in an excellent punt by rookie Britton Colquitt that was downed at the Chicago two-yard line.

Jay Cutler orchestrated a 12-play, 98-yard drive to essentially end the half, which was capped off by a short touchdown pass to Forte, increasing the Chicago lead to 17-3.

The Broncos were able to move the ball pretty well in the second half with rookie quarterback Tom Brandstater under center, capping off two impressive nine-play drives with rushing touchdowns by Peyton Hillis and Darius Walker.

Denver cut the lead with the Hillis touchdown in half, but Chicago answered back with a rushing touchdown of their own by veteran back Adrian Peterson.

Chicago led 24-10 before Walker’s rushing touchdown, and again Denver was able to cut the lead in half, 24-17.

The Bears were able to drive the ball into scoring range and waste most of the game clock when Robbie Gould hit a field goal to put the game on ice and a final score of 27-17.

 

The Good

• Tom Brandstater really bounced back from his poor performance in Seattle, and aside from an overthrow of Eddie Royal that resulted in an interception and a botched delivery to Darius Walker that resulted in a fumble recovery by the Bears, Brandstater looked much more comfortable.  He finished the game 8-of-12 for 110 yards and one interception, including a 54-yard bomb to fellow rookie Kenny McKinley.
• Eddie Royal continues to excite Bronco fans with his electric play.  He is sure-handed, knows how to gain yardage after the catch, and looks like a seasoned veteran.  He is going to be a star in this league, and a favorite target of quarterback Kyle Orton.
• Peyton Hillis is a beast.  Add another position, kick returner, to his repertoire.  I wore his No. 22 jersey with pride tonight, and he did not disappoint, running for 24 yards on seven carries including a touchdown, and catching two passes for 21 yards.  He also had 64 yards on only two kick returns. 
• Elvis Dumervil made future Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace look like a lost rookie.  Pace escaped what would have been a safety when he clearly held Dumervil in the end zone, and he just overall had a rough night trying to block the fourth year defensive end.  Thanks to NBC, I was alerted that only Mario Williams has more sacks (30.5) than Dumervil (26) from the 2006 draft class.  He struggled a bit in pass coverage, but his pass rushing skills are of the elite level, make no mistake.  Jay Cutler’s jersey was dirty because of this man.
• Brian Dawkins‘ debut was well worth the wait.  He was all over the field making plays…with a club on his hand.  If this game is any indication as to what the Broncos can expect from Dawkins in 2009, they have an absolute steal of the free agent class.
• Kenny McKinley and Brandon Lloyd all but cemented their names in the Broncos’ final roster.  Absolutely excellent games by both players.  McKinley continues to lead the Broncos in receiving, hauling in four passes for 75 yards, and Lloyd had a great catch that looked to me like a touchdown, and it is not the first time he has made a big play this pre-season.
• The defensive front seven continued to put pressure on the quarterback.  Cutler did not have an easy go of it early in this game, and while the defense did not have any sacks, it appeared as though the pass rush was effective.
• Correll Buckhalter and Darius Walker combined for 75 yards rushing on only 19 carries.  Walker, in my opinion, has earned the third running back position over LaMont Jordan this preseason.  Walker runs hard every play, and Buckhalter does the same.  Very inspiring running by these two tonight. 
• Britton Colquitt is making a strong case to beat out Brett Kern for the punter job in Denver.  He had two punts tonight that landed inside the two yard line. 

The Bad

• The offensive line played its worst game in a long time.  Ten penalties is not acceptable, period.  They are sure to get an earful at practice this week from offensive line coach Rick Dennison.
• The Broncos had trouble getting off the field on third downs.  The defense needs to be able to force punts on a more consistent basis, especially if the offense remains unhealthy and/or inconsistent.

 

Bailey comments on Marshall situation

All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey was asked by NBC’s Andrea Kremer if Brandon Marshall would be a Bronco this season, and he responded by saying roughly that there was a “fifty/fifty” chance.

What control Bailey has over the situation, I do not know, but a very interesting comment to say the least.

It would appear from the comments of Bailey and some of the other players on the team throughout the week that Marshall has a lot of trust to gain back in the locker room.

It seems that Marshall’s recent antics have lost a lot of respect from teammates, and in the NFL, that is not easy to do.

 

Quarterback situation

Now that Orton’s status is in limbo, and the fact that Chris Simms is already injured, the Broncos are once again in need of a quarterback. 

Obviously, Tom Brandstater is not ready to lead an NFL offense into the light.  He is young, and the Broncos have hopes that he can be “their guy” maybe someday, but not in 2009.

Ingle Martin does not know the offense yet, so what options does that leave Denver with?

As I speculated on my Facebook fan page, the New England Patriots just waived quarterback Kevin O’Connell, a player Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels was very high on when the Patriots drafted him, and if the Broncos have the opportunity to nab him through the waiver wire, they will.

O’Connell has ties to Kansas City’s Scott Pioli, who also was a big part of the drafting of O’Connell, and the Chiefs have an opening for a backup quarterback position with the injury to Matt Cassel.

If Kansas City does not lay claim to the second-year quarterback, you can expect O’Connell to end up with Denver.

There is very little doubt in my mind.

O’Connell’s arrival would likely mean Ingle Martin’s release, and Tom Brandstater would end up on the practice squad.

There was absolutely a ton to talk about in regards to this third pre-season game, and although the Broncos remain winless, it appears as though there is more good than bad going on in Denver for 2009.

If this team can get healthy, they could be a tough out for any team in the NFL this season.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Has Brandon Marshall Lost the Respect of His Denver Bronco Elders?

Following his recent practice field hissy fit, Denver Broncos wide receiver may have gone far beyond anything any fan ever thought possible.

In addition to losing the respect of virtually every respectable NFL fan, coach, or executive, he may just have lost the respect of his role models and elders on the Denver Broncos team.

When asked if he was surprised at Marshall’s recent suspension, veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley responded by saying: “Not really, not with his attitude and how he was acting.”

Stokley added: “Something had to be done. They made the decision. We’re moving on, and hopefully in a few weeks, when he’s back, he’ll be ready to contribute.”

Hopefully.

2008 offensive co-captain and tight end Daniel Graham also weighed in on the Marshall situation.

“We’ve had a few conversations and Brandon, he’s running his own ship,” Graham said. He’s doing what he feels is best for him. Now I’m just making sure, as a leader on this team, that we stay focused.”

A very interesting choice of words by Graham, to say the very least, especially the implication that Marshall is “running his own ship.”

This entire off-season has been a self-imposed disaster for the Pro Bowl wide receiver. 

Even Colorado Hall of Fame wide receiver and Bronco great Rod Smith, a former player who has devoted a great deal of time and effort mentoring Marshall, distanced himself from the wide receiver when he made a cameo at the Broncos camp earlier this summer.

One thing though, is for sure.

If Stokley and Graham’s comments are to be taken as a general consensus of the feelings of the entire team, then this whole fiasco has proved that the players are on McDaniels’ ship, not Marshall’s or any of their own.

McDaniels said on Friday that he does not know how long Marshall will be on his ‘ship’ at all.

“I’m not sure necessarily if I think it will or I think it won’t [work out],” McDaniels said. “I’m just hopeful that it will, because obviously he’s a talented football player that we’d love to have pulling in the same direction as the other 79 guys that go out there and work their tail off.”

And if he is not?

If Marshall is unwilling to pull in the same direction as the 79 other guys, where do the Broncos go from there?

While suspending him for the regular season would go a long way if the Broncos were committed long term, it does not seem to make much sense anymore for a guy who they may want to trade at the end of this season.

Which is why it makes perfect sense to suspend him for the final two games of the pre-season.

This gives Marshall time to study his playbook and vie for a fresh start when he returns to the team on Sept. 6.  Also, it allows him time to go and face the temptations of doing something else stupid or getting in trouble with the law.

While two weeks may not seem like a long time, for Brandon Marshall, it could seem like a lifetime.

For when Marshall returns to the Broncos, he had better show this team that he is serious about the “fresh start” he has said he wants, and he certainly needs to keep his nose out of trouble.

Denver Broncos Should Suspend WR Brandon Marshall

How many Denver Broncos fans have gone to bat for Brandon Marshall over the last three years?

He has been arrested a dozen times since arriving in Denver in 2006. 

He has never played a full season due to injuries and/or suspensions.

And in the wake of his recent trade demands, he has done the unthinkable.  Marshall has proven once and for all that he is an even bigger crybaby than former Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler.

In my humble opinion, this video clip will be used, among others, by the Broncos’ organization against Marshall in an eventual attempt to suspend him for the first four games of the 2009 season.

If your computer is not picking up the video stream, the clip basically consists of the following:

1. The video begins with Marshall sitting on a couple of practice pads.  Helmet off, looking bored as ever.
2. The team then begins doing the “karaoke” drill during calisthenics, and Marshall puts his hands in his pants and walks to the other side of the field.
3. With the ball in his hands, Marshall punts the ball across the field instead of handing it to the ball boy.
4. During route running drills, when the ball is thrown his way, Marshall bats it down instead of catching it.

I first learned of this story from Pro Football Talk, and lead blogger Mike Florio and I have come to the same conclusion:  Brandon Marshall  s officially an idiot.

That was the title of the post, and it did not disappoint.

Marshall is acting like an idiot.  If you had not lost all respect for him prior to seeing this video, I would be shocked if you had any after viewing it.

This makes the fact that Marshall was not at practice today a lot more clear, as we all are aware he is no longer injured.

As it stands, Marshall is going to make roughly $2.2 million in 2009.  If and when the Broncos choose to suspend him for four games, he will lose a fourth of that salary or $517,000.

Also, if Marshall wants to be traded, he is going about it the wrong way.  Not only is he going to turn away the respectable organizations with his work ethic and attitude, but he is lowering his value, meaning the Broncos will absolutely not trade him.

In fact, it is probably more likely at this point that they will cut him, which we all know is not going to happen either.

Or would they?

Denver Broncos Bring Ingle Martin Aboard for Injured QB Chris Simms

According to The Denver Post, the Denver Broncos have signed veteran quarterback Ingle Martin.

Per the report, Martin was signed directly after a tryout this morning and fills the void left by backup Chris Simms, who went down with a high ankle sprain against Seattle last Saturday night and will be out for two to four weeks.

Martin was a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers out of Furman University in 2006 and has since spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

Martin has never attempted an NFL pass, and he has little chance at making the Broncos’ final roster unless the injury to Simms is more severe than originally thought. 

Still, he will provide good competition for rookie Tom Brandstater as the backup quarterback and reportedly is going to be available for the final preseason game against Arizona, when the starters will likely play little, if at all.

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