Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos / Image: Zuma Press

Instead, the Broncos have managed a 4-0 record out of the gate and are fresh off an impressive 17-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Kyle Orton (who came over from Chicago in the Cutler trade, of course) has been a perfect game manager, throwing five touchdowns to no interceptions with an impressive 97.7 QB rating. Brandon Marshall has 16 receptions and two TDs—including the game winning 51-yard catch and run yesterday. And the Broncos defense is returning to their “Orange Crush” glory years, having only allowed 240 total yards per game, second only to the N.Y. Giants. I don’t think anyone can really question whether the Broncos are “for real” or not. Believe it. They are.

Source: NFL.com

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Denver Broncos Off to Surprising 4-0 Start

Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos / AP Photo

For the time being, however, immensely talented but extremely immature Brandon is suspended until September 5 for what head coach Josh McDaniels called conduct “detrimental” to the team. But it’s merely a slap on the wrist. Coach McDaniels is almost doing the guy a favor by giving him the rest of the preseason off. And Brandon won’t file a grievance. Why would he argue with a paid vacation?

Source: NFL.com

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Brandon Marshall is a Punk

Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos / Image: Zuma Press

The Broncos would probably want a first and third round pick and Brandon would command somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 million (or more). Considering his checkered past, it’s a pretty high risk. Then again, considering his immense talent, it could be a pretty high reward as well. Stay tuned.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Brandon Marshall Wants to be Traded

Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is reminding many of the team’s glory days QB John Elway. Granted, he has a long way to go to achieve Super Bowl victories and Hall of Fame status, but his quick release and gunslinger mentality can’t help but draw comparisons after the Broncos disposed of the Raiders (41-14) on Kickoff Weekend and the San Diego Chargers (39-38) today. Jay’s the NFL’s yardage passing leader after two games and his team is 2-0. The Broncos rally around him and you almost get the sense he’s going to make something good happen when the ball is in his hands. That’s exactly the type of quarterback every team hopes for.

But one player does not a great offense make. Receiver Brandon Marshall, returning from a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, caught a team record 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. He was just two shy of the all-time NFL record held by Terrell Owens. Selvin Young (7.6 ypr) and Andre Hall (5.4 ypr) are making the most of their opportunities after two games, running the football in typical Broncos zone blocking, one-cut downhill style. Tight end Tony Scheffler is averaging 19.4 yards per catch with two touchdowns. Receiver Eddie Royal (14 catches, 2 TDs) is making his early claim for the NFL’s Rookie-of-the-Year. And yesterday, head coach Mike Shanahan’s gutsy, all-or-nothing two-point conversion attempt sent a message to his team that not only does he believe in their ability to get the job done, but the team will step on your throat when they have the opportunity to do so.

Source: DenverBroncos.com, Photo: Newscom

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Denver Broncos on the Offensive

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Denver Broncos rookie receiver Eddie Royal, getting his first start because of Brandon Marshall’s one-game suspension, was nearly unstoppable in the Broncos 41-14 Kickoff Weekend opener against the Oakland Raiders last night. He repeatedly burned former Pro Bowl cornerback (and new Raider acquisition) DeAngelo Hall and wound up with nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. He also had two carries for nine yards and added 18 punt return yards. (He even attempted a pass but it was incomplete.) I won’t tell you I didn’t see this coming. I spoke with him back in February at the NFL Scouting Combine and he told me, in-part:

“A guy like Wes Welker is really in the mold of the type of player I’d like to be at the next level. He’s a great punt returner, but he gets in the slot and he knows how to find those holes in a defense. And he’s very productive. I think it’s important to show teams that you can do everything, that you’re a versatile player. I can return kicks, I can play the slot, and I can play the Z on the outside. It’s been very important to show the teams how much I know about coverages and playing the wide receiver position.”

Prophetic, wouldn’t you say? I believed him and I guess the Broncos believed him. He’s already got Denver fans talking Rookie-of-the-Year. And when Brandon Marshall returns next week — look out. If the Broncos can put 41 on a revamped (and supposedly improved) Raiders defense without their leading receiver, think of the possibilities when Brandon returns. Anyway, check out my complete NFL Draft interview with Eddie Royal.

Photo: Newscom

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Broncos Rookie Eddie Royal Kills Raiders

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was injured in a bizarre vacation accident this past weekend. Apparently, he was roughhousing with some family members in Orlando, FL when his arm went through — yes, through — a television entertainment center. Here are the gory details. The accident severed an artery, vein and nerve in Brandon’s right forearm along with tendons to five muscles. He underwent surgery on Saturday to suture his tendons and artery back together. Brandon is scheduled to be in a cast for the next two weeks, then a splint for four more. After three months he can begin strengthening exercises that should enable him to be ready for training camp.

This is a tough break for one of the NFL’s brightest young receivers. In only his second season, Brandon came into his own in 2007 catching 102 balls for 1,325 yards and seven TDs. I don’t know how much this time off will hurt Brandon’s offseason progress, but it sure won’t do him any good. If he can jump right back into the rigors of using his hands and arms (obviously pretty important for a receiver) about a month before training camp starts, he’ll be extremely lucky. Brandon will undoubtedly lose some strength and he’ll have to work hard to get it back in a hurry. As long as he allows everything to heal properly and follows doctors orders, he will hopefully be in good shape.

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Brandon Marshall Injured in Bizarre Accident