Magnificent Seven
09-02-2009, 03:36 PM
Broncos have not been trying to trade disgruntled Marshall.
The Denver Broncos have not been attempting to deal disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to league sources, and have received very little contact from other clubs inquiring about the currently-suspended Pro Bowler.
The New York Jets have called Denver to explore the situation, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but the Broncos have had no intention of dealing the player to this point.
It could be very difficult to agree on any deal for Marshall for multiple reasons. He has one year left on his deal and wants to be traded, but the Broncos have already endured a difficult offseason and preseason. The team is trying to do whatever it can at this point to be as good as possible in 2009 -- already a crucial year for embattled rookie head coach Josh McDaniels -- and the prospect of 2010 draft picks is not something very palatable to them at this point.
Officials with three clubs that could use a wide receiver all said they had not received a call from Denver regarding Marshall, and several sources who have had contact with Broncos general manager Brian Xanders recently said he never once mentioned Marshall being available.
Marshall, meantime, would covet a change of scenery, and a chance to sign a lucrative new contract, as he is due to make just $2.2 million this season after posting back to back 100-catch seasons. However, his value around the league is low given his hip injuries, clashes with team officials (he has been suspended in the past as well), lack of time on the practice field lately, a past run in with law enforcement and his desire for big money.
The Broncos remain optimistic that Marshall may display a better attitude and determination to play when he reports back to the team on Sept. 6 after his suspension for the final two preseason games for outlandish antics at a practice last week. Marshall and the Broncos have been unable to rebuild the trust between the sides and have disagreed about issues ranging from Marshall's health to the actions of the public relations staff, and a long-term marriage remains difficult to imagine. And, undoubtedtly, getting to a big-market team like the Jets would be appealing to Marshall.
However, the Broncos have the leverage in this situation. They are not inclined to deal Marshall with his value so low, a source said, and are doing nothing to posit the idea Marshall could be traded. In fact, they believe that any team being overt about its interest in Marshall risks violating tampering rules, and they want to do whatever is possible to get Marshall to concentrate on being productive with them, rather than dwelling on possible trades (and thus mulling exit strategies).
The Broncos believe that if Marshall returns focused from his suspension he could be productive right away. Given the fact that franchise quarterback Jay Cutler was already dealt, the fact the team's top two current quarterbacks are hurt, and that top draft pick Knowshon Moreno has missed virtually the entire preseason with a holdout and injury (he was the projected starting running back), the Broncos need all the help they can immediately.
Marshall's best chance at getting more money, regardless of the team, is through production on the field and staying out of trouble off of it. The Broncos would love to get off to a fast start, if possible, given all the acrimony and angst over their offseason. The AFC West is perhaps the worst division in football, and they are trying to fortify any chance they have of being competitive right now. Landing a mid-round 2010 draft pick (what several executives project to be what an interested party would offer at this point) wouldn't help at all in that regard.
Should a team ultimately step up and make an overwhelming offer, well, it's pro sports, you never say never. The Broncos might end up having to suspend Marshall again. Maybe they get off to a slow start and it becomes best to ship him out before the trade deadline. We're not there yet, though, with everybody 0-0 and the club eager to see if Marshall has learned from this latest experience.
The Broncos haven't been sending any such signals yet, though, and only one team has called on Marshall.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81254423&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
The Denver Broncos have not been attempting to deal disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to league sources, and have received very little contact from other clubs inquiring about the currently-suspended Pro Bowler.
The New York Jets have called Denver to explore the situation, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but the Broncos have had no intention of dealing the player to this point.
It could be very difficult to agree on any deal for Marshall for multiple reasons. He has one year left on his deal and wants to be traded, but the Broncos have already endured a difficult offseason and preseason. The team is trying to do whatever it can at this point to be as good as possible in 2009 -- already a crucial year for embattled rookie head coach Josh McDaniels -- and the prospect of 2010 draft picks is not something very palatable to them at this point.
Officials with three clubs that could use a wide receiver all said they had not received a call from Denver regarding Marshall, and several sources who have had contact with Broncos general manager Brian Xanders recently said he never once mentioned Marshall being available.
Marshall, meantime, would covet a change of scenery, and a chance to sign a lucrative new contract, as he is due to make just $2.2 million this season after posting back to back 100-catch seasons. However, his value around the league is low given his hip injuries, clashes with team officials (he has been suspended in the past as well), lack of time on the practice field lately, a past run in with law enforcement and his desire for big money.
The Broncos remain optimistic that Marshall may display a better attitude and determination to play when he reports back to the team on Sept. 6 after his suspension for the final two preseason games for outlandish antics at a practice last week. Marshall and the Broncos have been unable to rebuild the trust between the sides and have disagreed about issues ranging from Marshall's health to the actions of the public relations staff, and a long-term marriage remains difficult to imagine. And, undoubtedtly, getting to a big-market team like the Jets would be appealing to Marshall.
However, the Broncos have the leverage in this situation. They are not inclined to deal Marshall with his value so low, a source said, and are doing nothing to posit the idea Marshall could be traded. In fact, they believe that any team being overt about its interest in Marshall risks violating tampering rules, and they want to do whatever is possible to get Marshall to concentrate on being productive with them, rather than dwelling on possible trades (and thus mulling exit strategies).
The Broncos believe that if Marshall returns focused from his suspension he could be productive right away. Given the fact that franchise quarterback Jay Cutler was already dealt, the fact the team's top two current quarterbacks are hurt, and that top draft pick Knowshon Moreno has missed virtually the entire preseason with a holdout and injury (he was the projected starting running back), the Broncos need all the help they can immediately.
Marshall's best chance at getting more money, regardless of the team, is through production on the field and staying out of trouble off of it. The Broncos would love to get off to a fast start, if possible, given all the acrimony and angst over their offseason. The AFC West is perhaps the worst division in football, and they are trying to fortify any chance they have of being competitive right now. Landing a mid-round 2010 draft pick (what several executives project to be what an interested party would offer at this point) wouldn't help at all in that regard.
Should a team ultimately step up and make an overwhelming offer, well, it's pro sports, you never say never. The Broncos might end up having to suspend Marshall again. Maybe they get off to a slow start and it becomes best to ship him out before the trade deadline. We're not there yet, though, with everybody 0-0 and the club eager to see if Marshall has learned from this latest experience.
The Broncos haven't been sending any such signals yet, though, and only one team has called on Marshall.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81254423&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true