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Published on 01/01/2010 at Fri Jan 01 13:42.
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Marshall questions McDaniels’ ability to question Marshall’s abilities

Posted Fri Jan 1st by

Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos speaks with head coach Josh McDaniels during a time out during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 15, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins defeated the Broncos 27-17. (Larry French/Getty Images)

The relationship between Brandon Marshall and Josh McDaniels, rocky from the start, has come full circle. (Larry French/Getty Images)

“It has nothing do with accountability,” said Brandon Marshall, attacking Josh McDaniels‘ expressed justification at its core.

Marshall was, of course, reacting to McDaniels’ decision to deactivate the Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Broncos‘ season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, a move Marshall claims surprised him as much as anyone else.

“He hadn’t really said anything to me,” Marshall said. [Lindsay Jones/Twitter] “He just came in today and told me I was deactivated.

“I have to respect that. That’s the head coach. He makes the decisions around here, and he has to do what’s best for the team.”

Marshall wouldn’t play nice for long, and soon turned to questioning not only McDaniels’ ability to make such a decision, but the coach’s motives behind it, too.

“I don’t think Coach ever played in the NFL,” he said, “so for my hamstring to be feeling the way it felt, it’s tough for me to go out there and expect to play at a high level.

“I played last year with a tear in my hip, so I don’t think my toughness is in question here.”

Marshall is right; McDaniels never played in the NFL, but for him to play that card screams diva wide receiver or worse: conduct detrimental to the team.

As if aiming for such a penalty, Marshall then took it to another level.

“If he (McDaniels) decides to take some personal shots because of the way the season’s unfolding, it’s not my fault,” Marshall said. [Frank Schwab/twitter] I’ve made big plays.”

It’s not my fault. That, friends, is the very definition of “accountability,” or lack thereof.

We’re not fond of the way either Coach or Beast have handled this situation. McDaniels should have hashed this out with Marshall before taking it to the media, which is how he handled Tony Scheffler‘s benching. And Marshall: after everything — EVERYTHING — you’ve been through with the Broncos, it’s about time you learned to keep your mouth shut. If you had ended your comments with, “I have to respect that” (which you do), you wouldn’t be painting yourself a distraction all over again.

Now the Broncos and Marshall find themselves right back where they were in August: a relationship seemingly beyond repair. Except this time there won’t be on-field hugs and big-play high-fives to hide the heat.

Brandon Marshall benched vs. Chiefs [BroncoTalk]
Marshall benched for Broncos’ game vs. Chiefs [Denver Post]
Marshall deactivated for season finale [Colorado Springs Gazette]
Tony Scheffler also benched [BroncoTalk]

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  • Jrod

    After thinking this over a bit, I do think Marshall is a little more to blame, though neither of them handled it well at all.

  • BroncoRon

    Marshall is all to blame. He has been playing a game all year. Look at his answers in his latest interview. BRANDON PLAYS FOOTBALL FOR HIMSELF! GET RID OF HIM!

  • robtink242

    HAPPY NEW YEAR BRONCO TALK!!!

    Oh feeling great just got a new Doom Jersey. Hope we all had a great and safe holiday.

  • BronoRon

    The following is all you need to know about Mr. Brandon Marshall.

    “Every game I go out there playing to give it my all because of trying to achieve my goals. For me not to be out there probably hurts me more than anybody else. I have a lot of things that I want to achieve, a lot of things that I want to do, and it's not just for this game. It's every game that I've played in this year.”

  • BronoRon

    What about the TEAMS goals Mr. Marshall!

  • robtink242

    OMG you guys are just as 2 faced as you claim BMARSH. This season decline has all to do with McDaniels all alll allllllll. Countless short yardage situation the guy doesn't use the right personal. His first move at Head Coach was to get rid of the franchise QB. He offense lacks explosion and the most explosive player isn't playing in a must win game by his choice. He had a horrible draft based on their rookie seasons. The ST play has also declined.

    He has created a stellar defense that is very aggressive and cause hell to opposing offenses.

    On the other hand BMARSH has to control himself. There is no excuse for that. He still is the HEAD COACH and should be treated like wise. We are in a position whereby the rest of the teams WR have to MAN-UP and stop riding on BMARSH. Richard Quinn has to grow some balls and show us why the hell we drafted him in the 2nd round (meaning he has to play like a franchise TE) . Knowshon Moreno has play like a first round pick I'm talk yards after contact and finishing plays fumble free. Kyle Orton has to spread the ball and keep the Defense Honest.

  • robtink242

    Back to the Marshall thing. He does NOT need Denver. Only Denver fans are blind to the rest of the league. There have been games where that guy was our offense. He is a FREE agent after this year. Can you guys imagine him in Indy, San Diego, Miami, Pitts, Bal, Chi, Atl, NO, Car, TB, NE, Ten, Hou, Dal, Phil, Wash the list goes on. He can change the culture of a team. I've post earlier HE IS WRONG CONFRONTING HIS COACH. Throw that out the window we never had any problems with him and the coach staff with Shanny.

  • AtomicLeo

    Because the owners opted out of the CBA making next season an uncapped year, BMARSH is a RFA not unrestricted FA. In fact, if the uncapped season were not in place the Broncos would be F***'d next year. Orton, Scheffler, Dumerville and Bmarsh are all in the same boat, RFA status instead of UFA.

    He's put together a great season. If a team offers him big bucks (likely) then Denver can match or let him walk and get 1st and 3rd draft picks from the team who signs him.

  • David

    Here's an out of the box thought to the Marshall situation. Maybe this conflict is staged through the media so that the Chiefs wont gameplan for Marshall. Maybe he will end up playing afterall. Denver obviously needs him to win vs KC Sunday. Marshall has always played KC very well.

  • robtink242

    I thought of that. I figure we would of gotten fined for and act like that though. But who knows, remember we started the “icing the kicker” thing. We could revolutionize game planning next.

  • broncosfaninal

    Marshall is sandbagging it so he doesn't risk an injury that could keep him away from his big contract. He even said the MRI was negative, his hamstring wasn't even pulled. He just doesn't want to go out and not be “100 percent.” So lame and so transparent. What would Rod Smith do?

    Apparently Marshall thinks the Broncos don't have a shot to get into the playoffs. Maybe he's right, but don't you think he would at least be a team player and go out and play? What team would want a selfish player who only plays when it's convenient for him, and pay him top $?

  • themacmamba

    Sorry guys, mark this: Brandon Marshall will not be a Denver Bronco next year. His comments just today about trying to get on the field to achieve HIS goals speak volumes. He is a GREAT player, and I want him to stay, but he does not want to. He played hard this season to get paid….and he will. His agent told him how to play his cards, he played them perfectly, he does not want to get an injury at the end of the season and risk his paycheck next year. Right now keeping himself healthy and in line with a huge pay raise is just more important to him than the Broncos…sad :(

  • jimbrooks

    High football morals or not, this decision by a coach who continues to have problems with players with extraordinary potential is troubling. I wonder if this somehow has to do with difficulty in dealing with those who threaten Coach's authority, or if it is connected to Coach's inner rage. There are other coaches who have had to deal with star's egos, and were able to control their own anger while doing it. What's best for the team seems to be dealing with your star player, and maybe some injected humor might help. At this point, if you can't wait until after the last game of the season to can someone of this playing calibre, you are hurting everyone on the team. With this extreme reaction, there is little doubt that Marshall will not play for the Broncos again. Maybe he'll play in Chicago ! Look, I don't hate Coach McDaniels, but I think his reactions reveal a youthful inability to draw a reasonable line.

  • herc_rock

    Nope. Sorry. You cannot question a guys integrity the way McD did and not expect some sort of response. If he's milking the hammy, deactivate him on game day. Calling him out in the media like he did serves no purpose whatsoever. None. It's an idiotic, ego-driven move.

    Clearly Marshall is finished here. Way to go coach. Now our offense can regress even further.

  • kerry

    i seem to remember the whole “oh well Orton just wins games” thing being thrown around quite a bit on here this past offseason. well what are all of you worried about? if Orton is such a winner then we dont need Marshall. right everyone?

  • broncogeoff81

    I guarantee anyone that if by some strange and oddly-timed miracle we make the playoffs, all will be forgiven with Marshall (although probably not Scheffler) and he would probably have another touchy-feely hug moment with McDaniels if by an even more unlikely miracle we won (much like the Dallas game…). I think that is what it would take for us to be able to resign the Beast next year.

    However, McDaniels still has a lot to learn about dealing with the media. His handling of the Cutler situation the Marshall situation(s) have been terrible and have caused more drama than you'd find at an eighth grade lunch table.

    However this is likely the last game in a Bronco uniform for the likes of Ben Hamilton, Brandon Stokley, Scheffler, and possibly Marshall. This completely kills. Anyone else remember the good days when we were 6-0?

  • robtink242

    what really surprises me is how childish and petty McD is coming form New England. That surprises me. But hear me out. I clearly stated that none of the coaches form the “great Belichick tree” are good coaches on their own. None have won anything to brag about. McD is clearly to smart for his own good.

  • kerry

    well thats true. none of them have been good at all. and McD doesnt seem like he will be good either. Romeo Crennel had a 10 win season in Cleveland then bombed out. and here is the thing i keep reading on the DP, everyone is yelling and screaming about how great our season has been. yet for some reason we had the same season last year and it was a failure but this season is somehow a success. i dont get it.

  • Bronco babe

    Times like these make you miss players like Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey, Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater and the list goes on and on. Those guys were consummate, professional and dedicated team players…

  • Adrenaline27

    I am just afraid to ask… Can it get any worse????? I did not want to wake up and see this. I am a huge Marshall fan and I thought things were looking good. There has to me more to it then just his injury. They all must see or know something we all don't. At least thats what I am hoping, because I would hate to see Marshall not in a Broncos uniform next year. Denver I believe will be set back a few years if Marshall dosent return in my opinion. The offseason will be something to watch again this year.

  • anthony33

    Can't say this surpirses me. I've been saying for the past couple of weeks we need to package Marshall with our first round pick to move up and get a QB. Marshal is what Marshal is. He went on 16 weeks of good behavior for one and only one reason… a big contract. Bottom line is this… 1. he is a very good player and 2. once a slug, always a slug.

    As for McD… if this guys does not learn how to deal with egos, he will be out of here at the end of next year. Damn man… get a clue.

  • Olen

    Get a number one pick from the bears add in BM and make a deal with Detroit for their first round pick possibly the defensive player from Nebraska . Him and Dumerville on either end and you do not have to pay the big bucks out to BM . Just a thought .

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    You have no Idea what the hell is going on outside of what the media is spinning off to you so stop blaming Brandon. The only thing that is fact is that this is the head coach's decision and therefore it's his fault.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    Well all things considered, we downgraded at QB and Head coach and everybody saw this as a rebuilding year. When you take into account that there are so many things that just went wrong in the offseason and then they came out and surprised everybody…I can see how people can think that this years failure's are better than last years.

    But the whole idea is to win. And if you aren't winning you're failing.

  • Joe Thompson

    Actually to be fair, Shanahan had plans to trade or release Marshall before the draft. It was also reported by Adam Schefter Shanahan also planned on putting Cutler on the trading block because he couldn't control his on-field exploits.

    So to blame McDaniels for trading the franchise qb and to say there were never any problems with Marshall before is slightly incorrect.

  • robtink242

    Hear me out thats all theory. It never happen and never will. Mike Shanahan has 2 Super Bowls and has respect far from a rookie. Shanahan created Cutler and Marshall. There is no Cutler to Marshall combo if it wasn't for Shanahan. So i build i destroy you.

  • PAT BOWLEN YOU SUCK

    Well lets see who would want to play for a crap couch like we have the man is a jock and should have never been hired the hole team dont want to play for him and who can blame then coach is a over rated no coaching fool

  • PAT BOWLEN YOU SUCK

    Well lets see we had the number 2 offence last year and lost are qb and went to number 19. We were number 29 in deffence last year and are number 5 this year totally change the de. We changed the intire coaching staff and we were what 8 and 8 last year and we are gona maybe win 9 this year if we show up. We are likely to lose 4 or more huge players to other teams in the off season and our offence will suck worse next year!! Lets see where to place the blame I think with the talent we got it goes to 2 people Mister I am a crap couch MDaniels and du,b desition Pat Bowlen GREAT JOB THIS SEASON GUYS!!!!!

  • Nugs

    We do have some good guys on the team now too. I've really enjoyed being able to cheer for Dawkins this year, DJ has been around a while and always plays at an elite level, and Dumervil has a lot of years in front of him and is only getting better. I'll hold off on giving nods to players on the other side of the ball until they start consistently producing as a unit but there is potential if we have the leadership to move in the right direction. Unfortunately I don't see Marshall or McDaniels helping with that right now. Whatever happens with them so be it, but I only hope these types of distractions we've been getting with McDaniel's at the helm don't continue because they affect the culture of the whole team, and we aren't going to attract or retain those types of guys with this type of stuff going on all the time.

  • mikebirty

    i have to wonder how long this scheffler and marshall thing has been going on. I mean we know that there's been some undercurrent with marshall since before Shanny was fired. you have to wonder how long Scheffler's been a problem. That 06 draft class were tight, particularly the offensive lot.

    I don't think anyone, McD included, will say that Marshall and Scheffler are not talented – so it makes you wonder just how much he's had to put up with before it came to this. I wonder if we'll ever find out how long this has been going on and exactly what has happened.

    I'd like to know what Brian Dawkins thinks of all this.

  • anthony33

    Come on folks
    You have to notice all of this happened AFTER Marshall got his 100 catches for the season. All of a sudden his hamstring hurts… hey I got my 100 catches and a big new contract coming… who gives a shit about the playoffs, I'm not taking one more risk of an injury my.

    You just don't do a 180 like Marshll did at the beginning of the year… it was his agent (or someone) gettting through to him and explaining what he had to do to get the money. He is a very good individual player, but not great. He is not a team guy.

    Good riddance Marshall. If indeed the Bronx do get a 1 and a 3 then I say brillant move on the their part. In the end, both parties will get what they wanted… Marshall, a contract and trade out of town… Bronx, a 1 and 3.

  • anthony33

    Part 2 McD

    What really bothers me a whole lot more than the Marshall situation (you could see that coming a mile away) is the Scheffler situation. I did not see that one coming. Sceffler seems to be a good egg. Works hard and is a good player. He is not very strong and pounded into submission a lot, but has very good hands and gets open.

    Why McD would not sit down and clear the air with him bothers me.

    Well McD… I believe you are, after only 15 games, at a cross road in your young head coaching carreer. You're team will either go out and play good solid football and Sunday and win OR they will quit on you and get hammered. If what you are telling us is true, then your team will play hard for the team. If what you are telling us is due to your inexperiece, huge ego, stubborness and not accepting Shanny's guys it will show up on Sunday.

    The good news is all will be exposed on Sunday.

  • robtink242

    lol Are you serious? It's a reason Rod Smith and Shannon Sharpe take to Marshall. It's a reason Sharpe went off on McDaniels for benching Marshall in the 2nd quarter against Cleveland. They know by far that Marshall has the potential to break every single record they hold and is on pace to become one of the greatest receivers in league history. The guy is special and is a real talent. I would of gone off on Marshall had gotten in trouble with the law. But benching your team best receiver who is willing to but it all on the line week in and out.

  • Joe Thompson

    Sounds like you have a blinding man crush on a guy who rode Elway's coat tails to two Super Bowls and couldn't produce a playoff win 10 straight years. Shanahan couldn't coach any longer and Cutler is a very bad qb. Let it go. Maybe McDaniels isn't any better but get off the crap about how great Shanahan and Cutler were. They both were highly overrated

  • IanHenson

    Didn't Marshall almost punch Jeremy Bates last season during a half time?? Anyone remember the report, he was screaming, “Trade me then!” or cut me or something along those lines…

  • broncosfaninal

    So it's the head coach's fault that BMarsh won't go out and play with a tweaked hamstring? Yeah, it's not even a pulled hamstring, it's only tweaked. He said so himself. Then he doesn't even fight the coach's decision to bench him.

    This is Brandon's fault. He wants a payday and is acting like a brat.

  • steve

    NIce and too the point, great post, and at least you are not letting the person who wrote this article sway your rational thinking. Marshall deserves his payday, he has produced for the Broncos and it's time for them to pay up. No one ever bashed Champ when he's missed games with Hamstring or groin issues. McDaniels started this feud, it should have never reached this point.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    Like I said. You know NOTHING of the situation. Everything you just said is speculation and the information that you have is spin from the media. I don't agree with you at all.

    If Brandon voice's his opinion about his benching then you would call him a cry baby and say something stupid like “trade him” or “he only plays for himself”. All you do is demand perfection and you're never satisfied with anything less.

  • BroncoRon

    Now you're speculating. Marshall is TO all over. ME ME ME. TO, great receiver, no Super Bowls. By the way, I have no respect for Marshall and CHARACTER always prevails over TALENT. Just give it time.

  • robtink242

    I really think this whole situation has blown completely out of proportion. McDaniels could of easily said Marshall is out for the game by coaches decision. Say what ever you want about Marshall you do have the right to your opinion. But McDaniels has to learn how to address the media and learn how to handle situations better. Cutler is 26, Marshall is 25 and McDaniels is 32 but through all his altercations he has not once acted like the mature one. He has a lot of growing up to do as a head coach.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    I'm with u money, we know nothing of what's really going on! They both sound wrong to me but the coach is responsible for the team, right? Another poorly handled situation.

    As for all the 'trade the diva' folks… shut the hell up, you were the same folks who flip flopped on him earlier in the year.

    Bottom line is he'd be damn hard to replace. I still feel we should have already paid him. At least that issue could be removed.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    well said!!

  • WhidbeyBronco

    really? Maybe u should let it go. Highly over-rated? bs

  • WhidbeyBronco

    Smith would have rested it during the week and gave everything he had in the game… like BM wanted to do!

    (Not that I'm saying he's Rod Smith)

  • WhidbeyBronco

    I had great hope for our last year's team future…
    I have some hope for this year's…
    This year was so much better than it could have been, last year was worse than it should have been…

    two mediocre Bronco seasons…. light years ahead of what the rest of the league would call mediocre!!

    We're still an upper echelon franchise (for now)

    Go Broncos!!

  • WhidbeyBronco

    for real!! What would Bill Beli do? Not this!

  • JoeDoGG

    Your not very smart are you have no Marshall you have no Orton. I am not sure if you saw how he played this year.

  • Anonymous

    This coach is absolutely driving me insane!!! Who benches your ONLY star 2 days before a game because he wouldn’t practice on WEDNESDAY???? The man was just named to his second pro-bowl. He caught 101 passes this year AGAIN!!! Who in their right mind thinks that he hasn’t earned the right to rest his hamstring on WEDNESDAY? This isn’t about playing in the game. This is about him practicing on a bad wheel at a practice. Give me a break. Furthermore, THE COACH made this public knowledge. THE COACH questioned his integrity in front of the world. Did anyone expect Bmarsh to just sit by and let that happen. Especially after the fact that the team has shown no loyalty to HIM!!! We have a wide receiver who is in the top 5 in the NFL making somewhere in the vicinity of the 52nd receiver money. Don’t talk to me about loyalty to the team when the team has not stepped up and paid the man what he has earned. He came to the team and did exactly what they asked him to do. He wasn’t a distraction. He played his ass off(need I remind you all how many games he won us by himself). Of course he was trying to play for himself. That’s all the broncos allowed him to play for. And of course he came after the coach. The coach came at him first. Suspend Hoodie Jr. and play Brandon Marshall

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, you don’t have to pay BM but you do have to pay all the unproven rookies that you want to bring in. News flash everybody!!! Bowlen doesn’t have the money to make all these fantasy moves. Remember, we traded away a first round pick last year so we didn’t have to pay two first rounders in the next draft.

  • Anonymous

    We all have our opinions and I’m about to render one: BMarsh lost a lot of bargaining power with his belligerent attitude this season. Bigger contract or trade. You didn’t get either so you show out and make a class A fool of yourself. All that got you was a short pre-season suspension and the wrath of an over-inflated rookie head coach. It’s true that we’re better with BMarsh than without him but let’s keep it real folks, his performance on the field this season has not been for the benefit of the team but rather for the benefit of OTHER teams who may be considering picking him up if Denver doesn’t re-sign him. I believe it’s called “damage control”
    McDaniels ego comes from his tenure in NE under the “hoodie” himself but he is not Belichick and this is not NE. He should have one more year to get it together or be shown the door. Orton is another issue. He is obviously not the QB of the future but he has something on his side for the moment. The confidence of his head coach. No matter what he does or doesn’t do, I don’t see coach benching, trading or releasing him under his administration. Blame the “D” or the “O”, but the bottom line is this: To go 6-0 and have to have help to make the playoffs is nothing short of ridiculous no matter how you cut it. Tennessee started 0-6 and will likely end up 8-8, possibly the same record as Denver. That just isn’t normal. The owner, Pat Bowlen needs to step in and take control of this team. We saw what happened when he gave full control to Shanahan. It wasn’t good. The question is, did he learn anything from that experience?

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