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Denver Native (Carol)
03-25-2010, 12:39 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14752735?source=rss

ORLANDO, Fla. — Seaplanes are great for show.

Steady negotiation is how Brandon Marshall will get his dough.

Marshall, the Broncos' restricted free-agent receiver, appears to have taken a step closer to the Seattle Seahawks this week.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll, at his first NFC coaches' breakfast Wednesday, spoke about his team's interest in Marshall.

"Knowing he has a chance to be available — just like any other aspect of building a football team — we're looking for the best guys we can possibly find," Carroll said. "See what we can do with him and see what his individual situation holds, and there's a chance you can find a way to get him."

Carroll said Seahawks GM John Schneider has talked with the Broncos and Marshall's agent Kennard McGuire, who was spotted Tuesday in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes hotel that was hosting the NFL owners' meetings.

"There has been some talk," Carroll said. "John has handled that so far. But it's very preliminary."

According to NFL executives familiar with the restricted free- agent process, protocol is for the Seahawks to first negotiate the framework of a new contract with Marshall, who has managed to set aside the occasional turbulence in his personal life to produce three consecutive 100-catch seasons. Only then would Seattle start compensation talks with the Broncos.

The Broncos began the restricted free-agent process on March 3 by slapping Marshall with a first-round tender that carries a $2.512 million salary for 2010. Marshall, though, is widely considered one of the league's top five receivers and is seeking a contract worth more than $10 million a year.

Should Seattle be willing to sign Marshall away, it would have to compensate the Broncos with a first-round draft pick. Seattle has two first-round picks, Nos. 6 and No. 14.

The Seahawks, though, don't appear in a rush to part with either first-round pick. There are ways of working outside the restricted free-agent process and executing a trade involving other compensation. But if Seattle refuses to budge off its insistence of keeping both first-round picks, it may have a difficult time satisfying the Broncos.

Seattle's next-highest draft choice is late in the second round, No. 60 overall. Even if Seattle throws in two fourth-round draft choices, the Broncos would want any compensation package for a player of Marshall's caliber to begin with something higher than No. 60.

If Marshall goes past the April 15 offer-sheet deadline without a deal from Seattle, other teams figure to become involved in the week leading up to the draft on April 22.

Would Redskins and former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan be interested in Marshall?

"You'll just have to wait and see," Shanahan said, smiling Wednesday. "Can't share that with you."

The Redskins would consider their No. 4 draft pick too much for Marshall, but their early second-round pick, No. 37 overall, might allow Shana- han to let bygones be bygones and strike a deal with his former team.

The Seahawks, though, are unquestionably the front-runner to employ Marshall for the 2010 season and beyond. They flew the two-time Pro Bowler and his fiancee, Michi Nogami-Campbell, into their headquarters by seaplane for a visit March 6-7.

Carroll's coaching staff in Seattle includes three of Marshall's former Broncos coaches — Jeremy Bates, Jedd Fisch and Pat McPherson.

"Those guys know what he can do to help us," Carroll said.

D1g1tal j1m
03-25-2010, 12:58 PM
Of course the Seaducks want their 2 first rounders and Marshall but it ain't gonna happen...

Northman
03-25-2010, 12:58 PM
Merge?

Lancane
03-25-2010, 01:19 PM
Of course the Seaducks want their 2 first rounders and Marshall but it ain't gonna happen...

We hope... I could see them trading him to Tampa Bay for their second rounders and be done with it. Hell, maybe Cleveland will just decide a week before the draft to sign him to an offer sheet...point is that anything is possible.

claymore
03-25-2010, 01:21 PM
It only takes one team to make the price go up.

UnderArmour
03-25-2010, 01:44 PM
We're not dropping Marshall for just a 2nd rounder. Give us a first or we're keeping him, he's a great player.

GEM
03-25-2010, 02:13 PM
Merge?

This isn't the same article as those we merged yesterday.