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DENVER, Colo. -
Brandon Marshall is 6'4" and is one of the most physically gifted wide receivers in the NFL. Josh McDaniels is perhaps -at best- 5'10" and intimidates foes with his
clipboard.
All of that said, is there any doubt which man is standing taller today?
In Round-One of a fight Marshall hopes doesn't go the distance, score a win for the rookie head coach over the player who too often seems to make rookie mistakes, despite his status as a fourth year pro.
The Broncos and Marshall may disagree on plenty of issues but one fundamental fact seems clear to both parties: Denver is a better team with Number 15 on their roster. That, more anything, is why Marshall seems unlikely to be traded, much to the chagrin of the Pro Bowl talent.
Simply put, the Broncos need Marshall and, in a way, Marshall needs the Broncos.
Despite his back-to-back seasons of brilliance, Marshall, talent notwithstanding, is still a big question mark. For a player who has the second most catches in the NFL since 2007, he has much to prove.
He is trying to recover from off season hip surgery and may still be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the League's personal conduct policy. An injury plagued wide receiver who may miss several games? Hardly the type of player teams are going to offer a lucrative and long-term extension to.
Yes, the Ravens were interested in his services, but at what price? Most likely much less than the figure Marshall feels he is worth. After all, until he proves he is healthy and not a malcontent, giving him franchise player money is most likely a risk not worth taking.
"I'm here."
Those were the words of Marshall when asked how he felt about reporting to the first day of training camp on Monday. He mentioned his main reason for attending was the $15,888 daily fine he would incur for any absence.
As in most cases, money plays a big role here.
Marshall has made $1.5 million through his first three seasons in the NFL and is slated to earn $2.198 million this season. While it is true that elite NFL wide receivers will earn more in 2009 than Marshall has in his entire career, Marshall need only look in the mirror to see whose fault that is.
He was a fourth round draft pick out of Central Florida. He was regarded as a first round talent but character issues pushed him much further down the draft board and that immaturity in college -more than anything- caused him to miss out on first round compensation.
As he began his NFL career, he showed no sign of leaving his troubles behind him.
Since being drafted by the Broncos he has had 13 police reports filed against him in three different states and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Had Marshall stayed clean, his chances of being traded and in effect, earning that mega payday he has been waiting for, would be much higher.
How? Well, if there was no threat of suspension, many teams would be willing to express much more interest. If he serves even one game (as he did in 2008) or even has the threat of a suspension looming over him, with the punishment meted out by a commissioner who is not a fan of leniency, teams would be far less hesitant to initiate the Broncos in trade talks.
The most important factor in any big money deal is leverage. In this case, all of it resides with the team. Marshall is signed with Denver through this season. End of story. The team controls this situation, despite what Marshall may think. Kyle Orton may have a tough time ever being Jay Cutler. Now, take away Marshall as a throwing option for Orton. How bleak does that sound? Exactly. They can't afford to trade him.
Also, forcing his way out of Denver by displaying a poor attitude would not be advisable. Sure, the Broncos have made it clear that character counts and players with poor work ethic or demeanor will not be tolerated. Therefore, maybe acting up and being a distraction may be just what he needs to do to get traded. However, every other team in the NFL will be watching his actions and gauging him on that. Plus, if he doesn't think character issues don't matter, he just needs to remember where he was drafted.
The bottom line is Marshall is a headache. However, he is a headache worth having around, at least through 2009. And that reality probably gives Marshall you guessed it .a headache.
All of that said, is there any doubt which man is standing taller today?
In Round-One of a fight Marshall hopes doesn't go the distance, score a win for the rookie head coach over the player who too often seems to make rookie mistakes, despite his status as a fourth year pro.
The Broncos and Marshall may disagree on plenty of issues but one fundamental fact seems clear to both parties: Denver is a better team with Number 15 on their roster. That, more anything, is why Marshall seems unlikely to be traded, much to the chagrin of the Pro Bowl talent.
Simply put, the Broncos need Marshall and, in a way, Marshall needs the Broncos.
Despite his back-to-back seasons of brilliance, Marshall, talent notwithstanding, is still a big question mark. For a player who has the second most catches in the NFL since 2007, he has much to prove.
He is trying to recover from off season hip surgery and may still be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the League's personal conduct policy. An injury plagued wide receiver who may miss several games? Hardly the type of player teams are going to offer a lucrative and long-term extension to.
Yes, the Ravens were interested in his services, but at what price? Most likely much less than the figure Marshall feels he is worth. After all, until he proves he is healthy and not a malcontent, giving him franchise player money is most likely a risk not worth taking.
"I'm here."
Those were the words of Marshall when asked how he felt about reporting to the first day of training camp on Monday. He mentioned his main reason for attending was the $15,888 daily fine he would incur for any absence.
As in most cases, money plays a big role here.
Marshall has made $1.5 million through his first three seasons in the NFL and is slated to earn $2.198 million this season. While it is true that elite NFL wide receivers will earn more in 2009 than Marshall has in his entire career, Marshall need only look in the mirror to see whose fault that is.
He was a fourth round draft pick out of Central Florida. He was regarded as a first round talent but character issues pushed him much further down the draft board and that immaturity in college -more than anything- caused him to miss out on first round compensation.
As he began his NFL career, he showed no sign of leaving his troubles behind him.
Since being drafted by the Broncos he has had 13 police reports filed against him in three different states and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Had Marshall stayed clean, his chances of being traded and in effect, earning that mega payday he has been waiting for, would be much higher.
How? Well, if there was no threat of suspension, many teams would be willing to express much more interest. If he serves even one game (as he did in 2008) or even has the threat of a suspension looming over him, with the punishment meted out by a commissioner who is not a fan of leniency, teams would be far less hesitant to initiate the Broncos in trade talks.
The most important factor in any big money deal is leverage. In this case, all of it resides with the team. Marshall is signed with Denver through this season. End of story. The team controls this situation, despite what Marshall may think. Kyle Orton may have a tough time ever being Jay Cutler. Now, take away Marshall as a throwing option for Orton. How bleak does that sound? Exactly. They can't afford to trade him.
Also, forcing his way out of Denver by displaying a poor attitude would not be advisable. Sure, the Broncos have made it clear that character counts and players with poor work ethic or demeanor will not be tolerated. Therefore, maybe acting up and being a distraction may be just what he needs to do to get traded. However, every other team in the NFL will be watching his actions and gauging him on that. Plus, if he doesn't think character issues don't matter, he just needs to remember where he was drafted.
The bottom line is Marshall is a headache. However, he is a headache worth having around, at least through 2009. And that reality probably gives Marshall you guessed it .a headache.
