It has not been a good start in Denver for the Josh McDaniel’s era. First there was the Jay Cutler dispute that ended with Cutler being traded to Chicago. And then it seemed that the turmoil was over, and the Broncos and their new coach could begin preparing for the new season.
Brandon Marshall has other plans.
The wild saga continued in Denver this week as Marshall was suspended by the team for the remainder of the preseason, after intentionally dropping passes in drills during practice and acting as a two year old child who did not get to play with his favorite toy. And why? He wants to be traded out of Denver because he can’t get his way.
Brandon here is a little piece of advice: shut up and play football.
It is a sad reality, that we see some of today’s modern athletes, who have been blessed with amazing athletic ability and with the opportunity to play a sport for a living, act so immaturely and childish. We have seen athletes complain of not getting enough playing time, not getting the ball, and over not getting a big enough paycheck. Maybe they need to be reminded of the average person who is struggling to make ends meet, struggling to provide for a family, and then maybe that million dollar salary they earn won’t seem so bad.
I understand that these athletes want. Yes they want more money, but they also want to be rewarded for solid performances on the field. Everybody wants a promotion, right? Most people in today’s workforce do. But when most people don’t get that promotion, raise, or even bonus, you do not see them becoming lazy on the job, not showing up for meetings, and things of that nature. But when some professional athletes do not get a raise, all we hear is whining and complaining, and then a lack of production on the field. Granted, not all professional athletes do that, just the ones with the big mouths and little brains. And guess you everybody remembers? Not the player who does his job, has a good season, and accepts a raise with class and professionalism. People remember the one who acts like an idiot.
What bothers me the most about the Brandon Marshall situation in Denver is the fact that Marshall has had one good season worth talking about. And to be really honest, the reason he was so productive was the fact that Jay Cutler was throwing him the ball. If Marshall is really worth the multi-million dollar contract extension that he wants, he should put up similar numbers this season with Kyle Orton at quarterback. But Marshall apparently does not think that way. Instead of going out this season and proving he is a top level receiver by putting up big numbers again, he whines, complains, and drops passes in practice to try to get a trade. Marshall has failed to realize that the top receivers in the NFL put up great numbers year after year. Marshall did it once, and then demanded a reward.
Marshall has took the Denver Broncos’ training camp and preseason , a time when the focus should be about the Broncos’ team, and made it all about him. He also failed to realize that his latest actions have lowered his trade value. What NFL team is going to want to give the Denver Broncos top dollar for Marshall after his latest actions? I don’t even think Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are considering Marshall.
Marshall’s actions have not only hurt his image, but the entire NFL’s. He has hurt all of his fellow players’ images because it is the bad apples like him who lower all the other big name professional athletes’ images. But Marshall doesn’t seem to recognize that.
In my mind the suspension of Marshall by the Denver Bronco’s is justified. In fact to be totally honest, I do not think it is harsh enough. Marshall has taken a team sport, and the Denver Broncos image and made it all about him. I think that if the Denver Broncos removed him from their locker room their team would be better off. So maybe the best thing for the Bronco’s would be to trade Marshall. But again, who is going to give the Broncos good talent in return for Marshall after his latest actions?
If Marshall really wants to get a new contract, he should prove it by performing well during the season, not acting as a child would when he does not get his way. That is what the big name top quality receivers in the NFL do. You might see Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers ask for a contract extension, but then he will have superstar numbers the next season. This is what big time players in the NFL are rewarded for, quality numbers year in and year out. So if Brandon Marshall really wants to get a new contract extension, he should man up, shut up, and play football.
