Thread: It's time for Brandon Marshall to go

Paige: Paige: It's time for Brandon Marshall to go
By Woody Paige
The Denver Post
POSTED: 03/07/2010 01:00:00 AM MST

"I'll never be your beast of burden. Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be."

— The Rolling Stones

Brandon Marshall was The Beast. And he was The Burden. Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever was.

Now, we will find out how badly (or goodly) Seattle wants to embrace Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde.

Please, pretty please, Seahawks, take Marshall, don't leave him.

There hasn't been such a furious, frenzied argument over whether a Broncos player should be kept on or sent off since way back . . . a year ago.

Let's set aside the troubles with Brandon for the moment and ponder the positives.

Marshall was one of two major players in the most successful fourth-round draft trifecta in Broncos history. With their three picks in 2006, the Broncos chose Marshall 4a, Elvis Dumervil 4b and wide receiver Domenik Hixon (who moved on to the Giants) 4c. That trio certainly beat out 2003's Quentin Griffin, Nick Eason and Bryant McNeal and 1968's Gordon Lambert, Drake Garrett and Gus Hollomon.

Marshall belongs in the sentence with all-time fourth- round picks — Tom Jackson, Rick Upchurch, Lyle Alzado, Billy Bryan, Ben Hamilton (who could be in Seattle too) and Dumervil.

Marshall had three consecutive 100-reception, 1,000- yard receiving seasons — a team record. Rod Smith was the Broncos' most accomplished wide receiver (two Super Bowl titles and 11,389 career yards) and should be a Hall of Famer, and Steve Watson, Lionel Taylor, Haven Moses and Ed McCaffrey were great (beloved) players.

Marshall is the most gifted of the bunch.

Is he currently one of the top five receivers in the NFL, as he and many others in Denver believe? In 2009 — despite missing the final game — he finished third in the league in catches, tied for fifth in touchdowns, was second in yards after receptions and had no fumbles. He set a league record with 21 catches (200 yards) against the Colts.

However, he was 14th overall in yards (1,120) while being the fifth-most-targeted receiver in the NFL (154), and 11th in yards per game, and was not in the top 15 in first downs or the top 50 in yards per catch.

The overall numbers — and his selection to the Pro Bowl, and that he will turn only 26 this month — would suggest Marshall ranks in the Nos. 5-10 grouping among wide receivers.

Marshall's statistics are comparable in almost every category to those of Roddy White, who last season signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension with the Falcons. The deal included $18.6 million in guarantees — $6 million bonus and $12.6 million of salary for two seasons.

Before last season, according to what two sources told The Post's Mike Klis the past week, the Broncos offered Marshall a multiyear contract at $9.5 million per season. Marshall turned down the offer because he sought additional upfront money.

White's contract was the third-richest among receivers. Larry Fitzgerald averages $10 million, and Marshall's salary would have been in the neighborhood.

Brandon Marshall, the player, has been a beast.

Brandon Marshall, the person, has been a burden — and that can't be set aside.

His transgressions in society since he was in college have been well-documented — and Marshall's obtuse actions again were focused on last week when he testified in the Darrent Williams murder trial.

After being arrested in another domestic dispute a year ago this month, Marshall was in danger of a second commissioner-ordered suspension. But he was given, as always before, a break.

What did he do? Marshall refused to report for a mandatory minicamp, then acted like a clown in training camp and rejected a serious long- term contract proposal, trying his hardest to be traded or cut. At the end of an exceptional season, when the Broncos needed him most, he was nowhere to be found. Josh McDaniels deactivated him for the last humiliating loss that eliminated the Broncos from making the playoffs.

This is the guy you want to cheer, your kids to love, to represent your community?

Marshall is only a bad day on the field or a bad night on the town away from causing more disruption or disorder. Based on the risk-reward, why should the Broncos guarantee him a fortune?

In Marshall's four seasons, the Broncos have a 32-32 record and NO PLAYOFFS. Guess what: They can do that without him. There is at least one other player on the roster — Eddie Royal — who can catch 100 balls for 1,000 yards, and he's a great athlete and a wonderful guy. And there are free agents and college players who can replace Marshall — cheaper, possibly as effectively and with less of a mess.

And the Broncos may get the No. 6 pick in the draft.

The Beast is not worth The Burden.

Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com



Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/premium/br...#ixzz0hTtn6SMh

He is worth the burden. Without him this year we're not even an 8-8 team. Maybe would have won 5 or 6. He won the Dallas game, and he had huge plays against the Giants. Also against the Patriots. He almost single-handedlt beat the Colts. Marshall is worth the burden. We should give him a contract like Roddy Whites. Too bad it seems he's as good as gone now.

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

He is worth the burden. Without him thi year we're not even an 8-8 team. Maybe would have won 5 or 6. He won the Dallas game, and he had huge play against the Giants. Also against the Patriots. He almost single-handedlt beat the Colts. Marshall is worth the burden. We should give him a contract like Roddy Whites. Too bad it seems he's as good as gone now.

I will get flamed for this... But I dont think we have the leadership in the locker room, or the front office to handle him.

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

He is worth the burden. Without him thi year we're not even an 8-8 team. Maybe would have won 5 or 6. He won the Dallas game, and he had huge play against the Giants. Also against the Patriots. He almost single-handedlt beat the Colts. Marshall is worth the burden. We should give him a contract like Roddy Whites. Too bad it seems he's as good as gone now.

Man, i just know your going to have a meltdown when he's gone.

But no, you dont pay him like Roddy White because Roddy White doesnt have the baggage and puts up just as great numbers. Although i appreciate Brandon's talent he has been the one to do himself the most disservice when it comes to staying in Denver and getting his payday from them. Its seriously unfortuante you cant see beyond your love for the guy.

Originally Posted by claymore

I will get flamed for this... But I dont think we have the leadership in the locker room, or the front office to handle him.

When it comes to guys like TO and Brandon there isnt anyone who can handle them. And thus, they will continue to be journeymen with nothing to show for it.

I've said it many times before. Since when is a guy who drops sooooo many balls an elite wide receiver? Yes, he is a good, strong athlete. Yes, he runs good routes. No, he does not posess the hands of an elite receiver, he possesses the hands of Braylon Edwards. And he really isn't that fast. That being said, without the off filed stuff, I would say pay the man. But with the off field stuff and the fact that he is a sneeze away from half a year suspension, HE SIMPLY ISN'T WORTH IT!

Originally Posted by claymore

I will get flamed for this... But I dont think we have the leadership in the locker room, or the front office to handle him.

I'm not convinced anyone does.

If this maroon can get into this much trouble @ $200k a year just think about what it is going to be like at $9,000,000.oo+ each year.

LET me ADD if it is guaranteed like he wants, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Let the buyer beware.

A head case is a head case, is a head case.

Originally Posted by Northman

Man, i just know your going to have a meltdown when he's gone.

But no, you dont pay him like Roddy White because Roddy White doesnt have the baggage and puts up just as great numbers. Although i appreciate Brandon's talent he has been the one to do himself the most disservice when it comes to staying in Denver and getting his payday from them. Its seriously unfortuante you cant see beyond your love for the guy.

No meltdown here. I've already accepted that fact that he'll be leaving. It sucks, but that's the NFL. I'm a Broncos fan first, but I'll continue to keep my eyes on BM after he's gone to another team. Marshall did get into trouble and that's his own fault, but I'll take a few off the field issues for a guy this talented. I don't think most people understand what kind of talent BM posseses. We've just seen glimpses so far. No wr runs after catch the way BM does. Fans that are wanting him gone will wish he'd never left after they see how much our big, explosive plays drop. We didn't have a ton last year but the ones we did have were courtesy of BM.

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

No meltdown here. I've already accepted that fact that he'll be leaving. It sucks, but that's the NFL. I'm a Broncos fan first, but I'll continue to keep my eyes on BM after he's gone to another team. Marshall did get into trouble and that's his own fault, but I'll take a few off the field issues for a guy this talented. I don't think most people understand what kind of talent BM posseses. We've just seen glimpses so far. No wr runs after catch the way BM does. Fans that are wanting him gone will wish he'd never left after they see how much our big, explosive plays drop. We didn't have a ton last year but the ones we did have were courtesy of BM.

I dont know about that. How long is Denver supposed to wait for this guy to grow up? I love his playmaking ability but they guy lies through his teeth every other week about learning from one experience or another and then resorts back to what got him in hot water to begin with. At some point any organization has to make a decision to cut their losses and determine if said player is worth the headache. It seems just like Shanny that Brandon ran out of time to right his own ship. And frankly, if your a big fan of his than a change of scenery is probably what he needs to fully become the player that we all think he can be. Its unfortuante that he couldnt fix it here but again there's only one guy to blame for that and he has too look in the mirror.

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

No meltdown here. I've already accepted that fact that he'll be leaving. It sucks, but that's the NFL. I'm a Broncos fan first, but I'll continue to keep my eyes on BM after he's gone to another team. Marshall did get into trouble and that's his own fault, but I'll take a few off the field issues for a guy this talented. I don't think most people understand what kind of talent BM posseses. We've just seen glimpses so far. No wr runs after catch the way BM does. Fans that are wanting him gone will wish he'd never left after they see how much our big, explosive plays drop. We didn't have a ton last year but the ones we did have were courtesy of BM.

I beg to differ

Code:

AFC Leaders
Yards After Catch (Receivers)
 	Rank	Name	Team	Games	YAC	 
 	1	Wes Welker	NE	16	758	 
 	2	M Jones-Drew	JAC	16	582	 
 	3	Kevin Faulk 	NE	15	500	 
 	4	Andre Johnson	HOU	16	493	 
 	5	L Tomlinson	SD	16	484	 
 	6	Steve Slaton	HOU	16	454	 
 	7	Brandon M	DEN	15	439	 
 	8	Owen Daniels	HOU	16	430	 
 	9	Hines Ward 	PIT	16	427	 
 	10	Dwayne Bowe	KC	16	396	 
 	11	Marshawn Lynch	BUF	15	393	 
 	12	Bo Scaife	    TEN	16	378	 
 	13	Dallas Clark	IND	15	377	 
 	14	T.J. Houshmand	CIN	15	376	 
 	15	Darren Sproles	SD	16	360	 
 	16	Eddie Royal	        DEN	15	359	 
 	17	Randy Moss 	NE	16	358	 
 	18	Leon Washi	NYJ	16	355	 
 	19	Jerricho Cotchery	NYJ	16	349	 
 	20	Reggie Wayne	IND	16	336	 


NFC Leaders
Yards After Catch (Receivers)
 	Rank	Name	Team	Games	YAC	 
 	1	Anquan Boldin	ARI	12	595	 
 	2	Calvin Johnson	DET	16	511	 
 	3	Chris Cooley	WAS	16	475	 
 	4	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	16	461	 
 	5	Matt Forte	        CHI	16	441	 
 	6	Steve Smith	CAR	14	439

http://sports.iwon.com/nfl/stats/lea...receivers.html

Will I regret his departure maybe but then I will not ever have to worry about him knuckling up his girlfriend, fiance or wife, again either.

Or going to a night club and getting shot at.

We will never have to be concerned about him getting suspend on game days.(can't catch a ball from the stands or home can you.)

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

No meltdown here. I've already accepted that fact that he'll be leaving. It sucks, but that's the NFL. I'm a Broncos fan first, but I'll continue to keep my eyes on BM after he's gone to another team. Marshall did get into trouble and that's his own fault, but I'll take a few off the field issues for a guy this talented. I don't think most people understand what kind of talent BM posseses. We've just seen glimpses so far. No wr runs after catch the way BM does. Fans that are wanting him gone will wish he'd never left after they see how much our big, explosive plays drop. We didn't have a ton last year but the ones we did have were courtesy of BM.

He runs well after the catch. Wht in the heck does the guy average 12 yards a catch then? Dude is strong, but he is slow. I understand seeing that kind of strength in a wideout is cool and refreshing to watch and everything, but it really doesn't translate to much. Seriously, the guy caught 100 passes 3 times in his career. He averaged 7.5 TDs those 3 years. How is that explosive? Just last year, Roddy White, Randy Moss, Miles Austin and Vernon Davis all had more receiving TD's than Brandon on 85, 83, 81 and 78 receptions. I would consider that explosive.
What I am saying is that as exciting as it is to watch Brandon run over a few guys or toss them around like a rag doll once in awhile, he simply isn't as explosive or the playmaker that people think he is.

Originally Posted by Italianmobstr7

Fans that are wanting him gone will wish he'd never left after they see how much our big, explosive plays drop.

I HIGHLY doubt that. But I'm sure everyone appreciates you giving them no credit whatsoever. Those who want him gone can actually see past his on the field play and get the bigger picture. We know what he can do. We also know he's an ******* who is likely gonna be suspended a couple more times, if history is any indication. We also know that teams have won SBs without him. It'll be OK.

Originally Posted by claymore

I will get flamed for this... But I dont think we have the leadership in the locker room, or the front office to handle him.

Didn't he start up a Summer camp for kids last year?...it's a start.

I never felt it was a good thing to give away a proven product for the equivalent of playing the lottery at a 50/50 chance of getting the proven product back.

We aren't getting their 6th, and how exactly does this make us a better team Woody? Our draft history sucks ass.

Royal had 80 less yards on 64 less catches


Lets be honest here who has better YAC.