Hawgdriver
12-20-2007, 10:43 AM
Brandon Marshall is not Terrell Owens - not on the field or in the field of showmanship. But there have been some hints of individualism.Read More... (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7766063?source=rss) [Broncos] - 12/20/2007 2:20:25 AM
Marshall caught up in success
WR receptive to stardom, but right route there still needs work
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/20/2007 02:20:25 AM MST
When the Pro Bowl team was announced this week, receiver Brandon Marshall wasn't on it.
Worse things have happened to the Broncos.
Marshall has become so good, so fast, and at such a young age, it's scary. Scary in that he has the potential to turn any short-yardage slant into a broken-tackle romp to the end zone.
Scary because success is no easy burden to place upon the young.
Although he occasionally is referred to as a "Baby T.O.," Marshall is not Terrell Owens. He is not yet T.O. on the field of hash marks, or in the field of showmanship.
But Marshall has exhibited just enough hints of individualism for some of his teammates, most notably quarterback Jay Cutler, to deliver the message fame and fortune is not limited to the flamboyant and controversial.
"Brandon might do some outlandish stuff from time to time, but he knows what's wrong or right," Cutler said. "He knows how to be a pro. Sometimes he loses some concentration and does some silly stuff and I'll get on him, tell him, 'You don't want guys looking at you like this.' "
The latest incident was a brief shouting match between Marshall and receivers coach Jeremy Bates during a Monday meeting.
"We're fine, we're just trying to win football games," Bates said Wednesday.
There even was a rumor Marshall told his coach to cut him. Marshall denied the exchange went that far.
"I'm not in the position where I can throw around those type of words," said Marshall, who was participating in the team practice a few minutes after the stormy meeting. "Maybe when I'm in year 10 I can say that, but even then, those are pretty bold words.
"I love Coach Bates. He coaches how I play. I play with emotion and passion. He's the type of coach I would want to take in the foxhole with you."
Maybe all teams, in every season, have their moments when coaches get into it with coaches, players with players, coaches with players. Maybe it happens more than anybody knows.
But with Marshall, there has been a tad more glitz, and some unwanted mud, beyond his sensational, and not yet finished, second NFL season of 86 catches.
Off the field, Marshall has had an eventful year. In March, he was arrested for domestic violence, although charges later were dropped. Tuesday, Marshall pled not guilty to a DUI charge from October.
The incidents have not caused Marshall to shy from the public's eye. After scoring a touchdown in a 41-7 rout of Kansas City on Dec. 9, Marshall celebrated theatrically by repeatedly picking up snow from a pile and throwing it into the air. The demonstration earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty from the officials and a $7,500 fine from the league.
Afterward, Marshall put on his full-length, black fur coat before conducting interviews. To be fair, Marshall was more jovial than bold.
"The snowball thing was fun," he said. "Even if T.O. did it, why would he get in trouble for throwing snow? If I'm doing a cutthroat motion, something that's bad for the kids, that's one thing. But the snow, the kids probably enjoyed it."
At 23, Marshall is still a kid. He churns through tackles and skips past defenders with the regularity of a big kid in a Pop Warner game. He doesn't need the end zone before he exhibits youthful enthusiasm.
There can't be a football fan in Denver who doesn't admire the effort Marshall brings to every play and his noticeable determination to improve.
"I definitely need to incorporate the deep ball and work on catching the deep ball and getting that separation," Marshall said. "And probably getting off the (cornerback) bump a little easier. So in the offseason, I'm definitely going to pound my mind and my body on the deep ball and release off the jam.
"I'm not a Pro Bowl player yet, so I'm definitely not content. Until I reach 10 years in this league, eight Pro Bowls, Super Bowl rings, I'm not content. Not only am I trying to establish myself in this league, but I'm trying to go down in history doing it. I'm not just here to play. I want to break records. I want to win championships. I'm not just here to play and make money."
At the rate he is going, Marshall could well become the most talented receiver in Broncos history. And that could make him so rich, he could buy another fur coat. It's just that in a locker room where for years the leading receivers were the comparatively stoic Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, Marshall's gaudy ways occasionally will raise an eyebrow.
"I don't want to be remembered for dancing," said Smith, the Broncos' all-time leading receiver in every significant category but out this season because of a hip injury. "I want to be known for production and making the team better. Now you make the team better by taking care of yourself. In that way, everybody's a little selfish. But while you're taking care of yourself, it's important that you understand the mission of the organization."
Smith points out Marshall, like all Broncos receivers, has developed the selfless act of downfield blocking. Marshall's teammates also know he is the type of difference-maker who eventually can lead them to greater promises, much as Owens has for Dallas this year and Randy Moss, another receiver with a checkered past, has for New England.
Marshall's teammates care deeply about him. Care so much, they want to grow up with him.
"The more passes you catch, the more touchdowns you catch, the more good things will come your way," Cutler said. "He's doing a good job. I don't think we're going to have any more problems."
Second-year wonder
With four more catches, the Broncos' Brandon Marshall would join Sterling Sharpe (90), Lionel Taylor (92) and Isaac Bruce (119) as the only receivers with at least 90 catches in their second season. A comparison of Marshall's second season with those of past and present greats:
(Rec., Yards, TDs)
*Brandon Marshall 86 1136 6
Terrell Owens 60 936 8
Chad Johnson 69 1166 5
Randy Moss 80 1413 11
Marvin Harrison 73 866 6
Jerry Rice 86 1570 15
*Has two games remaining
Marshall caught up in success
WR receptive to stardom, but right route there still needs work
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/20/2007 02:20:25 AM MST
When the Pro Bowl team was announced this week, receiver Brandon Marshall wasn't on it.
Worse things have happened to the Broncos.
Marshall has become so good, so fast, and at such a young age, it's scary. Scary in that he has the potential to turn any short-yardage slant into a broken-tackle romp to the end zone.
Scary because success is no easy burden to place upon the young.
Although he occasionally is referred to as a "Baby T.O.," Marshall is not Terrell Owens. He is not yet T.O. on the field of hash marks, or in the field of showmanship.
But Marshall has exhibited just enough hints of individualism for some of his teammates, most notably quarterback Jay Cutler, to deliver the message fame and fortune is not limited to the flamboyant and controversial.
"Brandon might do some outlandish stuff from time to time, but he knows what's wrong or right," Cutler said. "He knows how to be a pro. Sometimes he loses some concentration and does some silly stuff and I'll get on him, tell him, 'You don't want guys looking at you like this.' "
The latest incident was a brief shouting match between Marshall and receivers coach Jeremy Bates during a Monday meeting.
"We're fine, we're just trying to win football games," Bates said Wednesday.
There even was a rumor Marshall told his coach to cut him. Marshall denied the exchange went that far.
"I'm not in the position where I can throw around those type of words," said Marshall, who was participating in the team practice a few minutes after the stormy meeting. "Maybe when I'm in year 10 I can say that, but even then, those are pretty bold words.
"I love Coach Bates. He coaches how I play. I play with emotion and passion. He's the type of coach I would want to take in the foxhole with you."
Maybe all teams, in every season, have their moments when coaches get into it with coaches, players with players, coaches with players. Maybe it happens more than anybody knows.
But with Marshall, there has been a tad more glitz, and some unwanted mud, beyond his sensational, and not yet finished, second NFL season of 86 catches.
Off the field, Marshall has had an eventful year. In March, he was arrested for domestic violence, although charges later were dropped. Tuesday, Marshall pled not guilty to a DUI charge from October.
The incidents have not caused Marshall to shy from the public's eye. After scoring a touchdown in a 41-7 rout of Kansas City on Dec. 9, Marshall celebrated theatrically by repeatedly picking up snow from a pile and throwing it into the air. The demonstration earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty from the officials and a $7,500 fine from the league.
Afterward, Marshall put on his full-length, black fur coat before conducting interviews. To be fair, Marshall was more jovial than bold.
"The snowball thing was fun," he said. "Even if T.O. did it, why would he get in trouble for throwing snow? If I'm doing a cutthroat motion, something that's bad for the kids, that's one thing. But the snow, the kids probably enjoyed it."
At 23, Marshall is still a kid. He churns through tackles and skips past defenders with the regularity of a big kid in a Pop Warner game. He doesn't need the end zone before he exhibits youthful enthusiasm.
There can't be a football fan in Denver who doesn't admire the effort Marshall brings to every play and his noticeable determination to improve.
"I definitely need to incorporate the deep ball and work on catching the deep ball and getting that separation," Marshall said. "And probably getting off the (cornerback) bump a little easier. So in the offseason, I'm definitely going to pound my mind and my body on the deep ball and release off the jam.
"I'm not a Pro Bowl player yet, so I'm definitely not content. Until I reach 10 years in this league, eight Pro Bowls, Super Bowl rings, I'm not content. Not only am I trying to establish myself in this league, but I'm trying to go down in history doing it. I'm not just here to play. I want to break records. I want to win championships. I'm not just here to play and make money."
At the rate he is going, Marshall could well become the most talented receiver in Broncos history. And that could make him so rich, he could buy another fur coat. It's just that in a locker room where for years the leading receivers were the comparatively stoic Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, Marshall's gaudy ways occasionally will raise an eyebrow.
"I don't want to be remembered for dancing," said Smith, the Broncos' all-time leading receiver in every significant category but out this season because of a hip injury. "I want to be known for production and making the team better. Now you make the team better by taking care of yourself. In that way, everybody's a little selfish. But while you're taking care of yourself, it's important that you understand the mission of the organization."
Smith points out Marshall, like all Broncos receivers, has developed the selfless act of downfield blocking. Marshall's teammates also know he is the type of difference-maker who eventually can lead them to greater promises, much as Owens has for Dallas this year and Randy Moss, another receiver with a checkered past, has for New England.
Marshall's teammates care deeply about him. Care so much, they want to grow up with him.
"The more passes you catch, the more touchdowns you catch, the more good things will come your way," Cutler said. "He's doing a good job. I don't think we're going to have any more problems."
Second-year wonder
With four more catches, the Broncos' Brandon Marshall would join Sterling Sharpe (90), Lionel Taylor (92) and Isaac Bruce (119) as the only receivers with at least 90 catches in their second season. A comparison of Marshall's second season with those of past and present greats:
(Rec., Yards, TDs)
*Brandon Marshall 86 1136 6
Terrell Owens 60 936 8
Chad Johnson 69 1166 5
Randy Moss 80 1413 11
Marvin Harrison 73 866 6
Jerry Rice 86 1570 15
*Has two games remaining