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Lonestar
03-07-2010, 01:04 AM
Marshall on out route?
Broncos WR to meet with Seahawks today to talk contract
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
POSTED: 03/06/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
UPDATED: 03/06/2010 06:44:58 PM MST


In Seattle, where Brandon Marshall may soon be playing, he would have old friends and no more enemies.

In Denver, Marshall could leave behind the bittersweet start to his NFL career. The star receiver can move beyond his run-ins with coaches and girlfriends and nightclub thugs. He can wipe away his two suspensions in two years and numerous courtroom appearances in three years, most recently as a star witness in the murder trial of former teammate Darrent Williams.

Marshall can hang on to those three consecutive 100-catch seasons and numerous awe-inspiring plays if he wishes. But if all goes well during his visit today as a restricted free agent in the faraway, oft-drizzly city of Seattle, the most talented, and troubled, receiver in Broncos history will become a handsomely paid Seahawk.

That groan you heard was electronically delivered from the checking account of Harvey Steinberg, Marshall's Denver-based attorney.

As Marshall leaves Denver today for an opportunity elsewhere, the Broncos made a series of practical moves to solidify the middle of their fronts Friday. The team agreed in principle on a five-year contract with former University of Colorado and Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Bannan, who becomes the Broncos' new starting nose tackle.

"He's excited about it," said Tom Mills, Bannan's Boulder-based agent. "He played college here and really enjoyed his visit with the team (Friday)."

"Justin will fit into our scheme very well," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said in a statement.

And the Broncos were also close to signing former Miami and Cleveland center Rex Hadnot.

That's 630 combined pounds at the middle positions of the line of scrimmage.

The Broncos also strengthened their lone weak spot in their secondary when they signed former Miami Dolphins nickel back Nathan Jones.

"He makes plays on defense and has been a core contributor on special teams," Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said.

Yet, as often happened since the Broncos drafted Marshall four years ago, the team's positive developments were overshadowed by the somber circumstance surrounding the gifted playmaker.

For myriad reasons, Marshall would like to move on. His last three seasons have been both highly productive and disruptive. He held out from the team's offseason workouts last season and issued a trade request.

This time, the Broncos may be getting close to accommodating Marshall's desire to leave. First, the team slapped a fairly inviting, first-round tender on Marshall, who officially became a restricted free agent Thursday.

That means for a team to sign away Marshall, it would have to surrender a first-round draft pick to the Broncos — unless the two sides agree on alternative compensation.

The Seahawks not only have the financial wherewithal to submit an attractive contract proposal to induce Marshall into signing an offer sheet, they have two first-round draft picks — No. 6 and 14 overall.

Seattle's No. 14 pick was acquired from the Broncos during the 2009 draft in a deal that enabled Denver to move up and select defensive back Alphonso Smith early in the second round.

Although at least one other team has expressed serious interest in Marshall, Seattle would be a logical fit in part because former Broncos play-caller Jeremy Bates and former receivers coach Jedd Fisch are now with the Seahawks. Marshall was a big fan of both coaches in 2008 when he had 104 catches in 15 games.

The Broncos did offer Marshall a multiyear contract last summer worth approximately $9.5 million a season, according to two NFL sources.


Marshall rejected the proposal because the contract structure had relatively little money upfront, and also because the receiver preferred to play elsewhere.

Seattle may be where.

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com

Opening offers

The Broncos have been more active than most in the first 24 hours of free agency. The players who signed with or are visiting Denver:

SIGNED

DL Justin Bannan, 30: The former Buff becomes new starting nose tackle.

CB Nathan Jones, 27: Tough-tackling new nickel back means Alphonso Smith may watch for a second season.

RB J.J. Arrington: The Broncos refused to give up on this third-down back.

VISITING DENVER

C Rex Hadnot, 28: If the sides can agree on money, the Broncos will have 320 pounds of center.

DL Dwan Edwards, 28: Trying to beat out Seattle for Ravens' run stuffer.

Mike Klis, The Denver Post



Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_14523017#ixzz0hT4kks2a

rationalfan
03-07-2010, 01:58 AM
yeah, i noticed that about the contract offer too. makes you wonder why he freaked out in camp - was he that terrified of staying in denver, or was he upset about not making more money?

Lonestar
03-07-2010, 02:01 AM
yeah, i noticed that about the contract offer too. makes you wonder why he freaked out in camp - was he that terrified of staying in denver, or was he upset about not making more money?

I think it was jay whispering in his ear, telling him how much he missed him and how great it would be in Bear land.

Ravage!!!
03-07-2010, 03:02 AM
it was the fact that there was no, or not very much, guaranteed money. No player wants to be the one taking all the risk....especially a player that was just misdiagnosed by the medical staff, and feels as though they JUST put their career on the line because of the mis-diagnosis. A player plays with no guaranteed money, gets hurt, and the team sure as hell isn't going to pay them.

Owners would love it if players wanted this. Then they would have no risk and all the benefits. I don't blame Marshall for not wanting this deal.

Not surprising that its turned into another chance for some to bring Cutler into it :coffee:

Lonestar
03-07-2010, 04:27 AM
Que the excuses being made, by a lover.

nevcraw
03-07-2010, 08:27 AM
the only real $ in a nfl contract is the upfront $.

Lonestar
03-07-2010, 10:34 AM
It amazes me that 9 million a year is not enough for in most cases semi literate thugs.

Afterall just how much money is needed to "survive" after football.

Is that extra 1.5 million gonna make a huge Difference?

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