ESPN column on B Marsh

[crowebomber]

DENVER -- Brandon Marshall must choose a lane.


Marshall, he of the famed McDonald's bag slip (really?), either will become one of the NFL's most dominant offensive weapons or he'll be the league's next, complex wide receiver. He'll be acclaimed for his immense talent or derided for his off-field antics.

Either way, the third-year Denver Broncos player will become a household NFL name.

The Broncos' best chance for renewed success is the pairing of quarterback Jay Cutler and Marshall, a pass-catch pair that came into the league together two Aprils ago. Cutler knows Marshall is an integral part of his legacy, and perhaps that's why, in his first significant sign of being the team's longtime leader, the quarterback blasted Marshall for the receiver's latest embarrassing episode.

Cutler punctuated the lashing by saying that Marshall "isn't his favorite person right now."

Not everyone in Denver is as frank about Marshall's situation, but they all know Marshall's future is correlated to the team's future.

"Brandon has to look himself in the mirror and realize how special he can be," Denver owner Pat Bowlen said. "We believe in him and think he'll be fine."

Yet, Marshall has to prove it. He has to show he can be fine.

There's no question the 2006 fourth-round pick from Central Florida is secure on the field. Marshall, who turned 24 on Easter Sunday, burst onto the NFL scene last season and quickly became one of the fiercest weapons in the league as he caught a startling 102 catches in his first full season. Marshall joined Isaac Bruce (119) and Larry Fitzgerald (103) as second-year players to catch 100 balls.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/David Zalubowski

Jay Cutler (6) and Brandon Marshall (15) could be the foundation of the Broncos' offense for years to come.

At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Marshall makes Terrell Owens feel like he needs a few body-sculpting classes. Already, there isn't a nastier receiver in the league than Marshall with the ball in his hands. Being the first defender to face Marshall is an impossible task. He is a yardage-after-the-catch monster. Marshall breaks tackles like Floyd Mayweather Jr. breaks noses. It happens all the time.

Again, on the field, Marshall is aces. How long will he allow himself to be? Marshall must stop the scary, long list of off-field missteps before he fully allows himself to become a true NFL superstar.

With two years remaining on Marshall's contract, it is fully expected that the Broncos and his agent, Fletcher Smith, will sit down and talk about a lengthy, lucrative deal in the spring of 2009. Marshall has two more years on his contract and he is the type of a franchise player that teams don't hesitate to re-sign. He's a once-a-generation player.

Yet the Broncos have plenty of reason to pause. Can they trust Marshall will give himself a chance to make a run at a Hall of Fame career?

They hope so.

"He's a great player, we all know that," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "He knows he has some things to work on, and we are confident he will."


Inside the doors of the Broncos' facility, Marshall's future is a much-discussed subject. For much of last season, the organization went to great lengths to make sure Marshall was on the straight and narrow. Several people in the organization counseled him. Cutler took him under his wing, and the two often met with Shanahan to help keep Marshall focused.



Still, issues persist.



The latest Marshall misadventure occurred in Orlando on the day before his birthday, when he presumably put his arm through a glass entertainment center while wrestling with family members. Originally, Marshall's story was that he slipped on a McDonald's bag. Then it morphed into the entertainment center tale. Is the second story the truth?



The accident -- which will shelve Marshall until training camp because of damage to muscles and tendons as well as a vein, artery and nerve -- would be considered just bad luck if Marshall did not have other issues.



Since joining the Broncos, Marshall has been arrested for drunk driving, for which he could serve a short suspension this season if convicted; was arrested for a domestic-violence charge (charges were later dropped); was involved in a heated argument with an assistant coach the day after a game; and was alleged to have participated in a ruckus at a nightclub before teammate Darrent Williams was killed on Jan. 1, 2007.



This week, Shanahan said Marshall seems to have a "black cloud" hovering over him.



When Marshall was drafted, there were whispers that Denver was taking a risk on an immature talent. Yet Central Florida coach George O'Leary vouched for Marshall, deeming the player "a good kid" who gave him little trouble while starting both at receiver and in the secondary for the Knights.



Still, some scouts in the league labeled Marshall as "Baby T.O.," a nod to both his on- and off-field persona. When told of the nickname in his first NFL training camp, Marshall's eyes widened. He promised a reporter that he'd provide no trouble in Denver.



In his two years in Denver, Marshall has been far from a pariah. While he has a knack for finding trouble, Marshall can be very friendly and polite. In a vote at the end of the season to award the most media-friendly player on the team, which is named in Williams' honor, Marshall finished second behind veteran safety John Lynch.



Marshall is worth saving -- perhaps that's why Cutler took him to task this week. In an informal media gathering, Cutler said he was tired of Cutler's antics. Cutler acknowledged that Marshall's injury was the result of an accident, but said that it is "always something" with the wide receiver. Cutler, who worked out with Marshall in February in Atlanta, said he told his teammate that his chances in Denver might be running out.



In his only press gathering since the accident, Marshall called the latest miscue a "wake-up call." Cutler said he has heard it all before. Privately, many in the Denver organization were happy to see Cutler call out Marshall. It had to be done, they said. Cutler's words had to be embarrassing to Marshall.



Perhaps that is the wake-up call Marshall finally will heed. There's no doubt he needs to listen.

[Los Broncos]

Just recover Brandon, come back ready to play.

[Northman]

Amen.

[broncofan2438]

Wow, the media sure makes this sound like a bigger deal than it really is. He'll be fine by the start of the season. Get over it.

[Doggcow]

I love when people on Madden tell me Bmarsh sucks (as he tears them up), then ge to read intelligent writing like this on him

[Kaylore]

I like these kinds of articles. Apart from being accurate as to his ability, it's something Marshall needs to read. My guess is he's a guy that reads his own press and this is good because it shows the line he's walking. He has so much to gain and so much to lose. He is wobbling between shear awesome and total malcontent. It's in his hands. Maybe the knife fight will wake him up. Its on him, though.

[Popcorn Sutton]

Not everyone in Denver is as frank about Marshall's situation, but they all know Marshall's future is correlated to the team's future.

I agree.

"Brandon has to look himself in the mirror and realize how special he can be," Denver owner Pat Bowlen said. "We believe in him and think he'll be fine."

Bravo.

Again, on the field, Marshall is aces. How long will he allow himself to be? Marshall must stop the scary, long list of off-field missteps before he fully allows himself to become a true NFL superstar.

For sure.

Marshall has two more years on his contract and he is the type of a franchise player that teams don't hesitate to re-sign. He's a once-a-generation player.

Yet the Broncos have plenty of reason to pause. Can they trust Marshall will give himself a chance to make a run at a Hall of Fame career?

I hope so.

When Marshall was drafted, there were whispers that Denver was taking a risk on an immature talent.

Rev?

In his two years in Denver, Marshall has been far from a pariah. While he has a knack for finding trouble, Marshall can be very friendly and polite.

I completely agree. He is a good kid. Just needs to pull the reigns in a bit.

In his only press gathering since the accident, Marshall called the latest miscue a "wake-up call." Cutler said he has heard it all before.

From these comments I think it's clear that Cutty chose to keep it in house for quite some time.

[Blueflame]

The article pretty much sums up the attitudes of a lot of us who are concerned that "more of the same" behavior from Brandon might derail a very promising NFL career.

In case anyone wants it, here's the url for the article....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ill&id=3329102

[epicSocialism4tw]

Marshall is an absolute bulldog of a WR, and has the legit potential to be the best WR in the league, and ultimately the best ever to suit up in orange and blue.

[ro_50]

Wait a minute, guys read the byline to the article, it's BURGER BILL!!!

When did he start writing for ESPN.com?

[jonny1]

Nice to know the move to ESPN hasn't hurt Burger Bill's eye for detail (and did his editor move with him?) . . .

Anybody else notice this?

In the 3rd to last paragraph . . . .

"In an informal media gathering, Cutler said he was tired of Cutler's antics."

Oh no! Now Jay is talking in the third person! [sarcasm]

Doesn't anybody proofread anymore?

[Blueflame]

Originally Posted by jonny1

Nice to know the move to ESPN hasn't hurt Burger Bill's eye for detail (and did his editor move with him?) . . .

Anybody else notice this?

In the 3rd to last paragraph . . . .

"In an informal media gathering, Cutler said he was tired of Cutler's antics."

Oh no! Now Jay is talking in the third person! [sarcasm]

Doesn't anybody proofread anymore?

I noticed that, too... looks like they need a good proofreader.

It sure didn't sound like either Shanahan or Bowlen was even remotely disgruntled over Jay's remarks, though.

[OABB]

Originally Posted by Blueflame

It sure didn't sound like either Shanahan or Bowlen was even remotely disgruntled over Jay's remarks, though.

yes, but who are they? there are a lot of pissed off maners that feel differently.

[Anaximines]

Originally Posted by crowebomber

In an informal media gathering, Cutler said he was tired of Cutler's antics.

wtf?

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.
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but really, good article. I agree with all that about Marshall reading his own stuff.

[bap454]

Heated argument with a coach?? Whats that crazy talk all about? I dont remember hearing anything about that.. anyone??

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by bap454

Heated argument with a coach?? Whats that crazy talk all about? I dont remember hearing anything about that.. anyone??

The younger Bates. His WR coach. Supposedly Marshall was heard yelling with him and telling the team to cut him then.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by ApaOps5

The younger Bates. His WR coach. Supposedly Marshall was heard yelling with him and telling the team to cut him then.

That was and still is the unconfirmed report by PFT. And no one proven that is true.

[yerner]

Yeah, cause its so hard to believe.

[Popcorn Sutton]

Originally Posted by elsid13

That was and still is the unconfirmed report by PFT. And no one proven that is true.

..... and Bill Williamson apparently.

[Triplelefthook]

Marshall breaks tackles like Floyd Mayweather breaks noses -

oh so witty

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by BrewCrew

..... and Bill Williamson apparently.

Burger Bill never seemed to be able to confirm an orginal fact when he was in denver, do you think that might just be repeating the PFT.com rumor, now that he working for ESPIN