The speculation has ended. Brandon Marshall will not play for the Broncos any more. On Wednesday, the Broncos traded Marshall to the Dolphins for Miami’s second-round draft pick this year and in 2011.
There is little doubting Marshall’s immense talent as a wide receiver. You don’t make 307 catches for 3,710 yards and 23 touchdowns in the last three seasons by accident. The guy can play. And he can dominate.
Marshall has been the most reliable and most talented skill position player on the Broncos’ offense the last several years.
He has also been the most disgruntled. While his production was a bright spot, his conduct did not rise to the same level. That was tough to watch.
For whatever reasons, Marshall and Coach Josh McDaniels never got on the same page. One could speculate and debate as to why and who, if anyone, ultimately bears the bigger burden for that. But in my opinion, that doesn’t accomplish much.
The fact is, the relationship wasn’t working and wasn’t going to work in the future. Sometimes that happens in life. Given those circumstances, the Broncos did well to get a pair of second-round draft picks.
“I’m pleased the way it went down,” McDaniels said of the trade on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m happy and excited for Brandon to have an opportunity to do something he’s wanted to do. And I’m also excited about the opportunities that we’re going to be presented (with) here in the coming weeks with the draft and continuing to build our team and our roster the way that we want to do it.”
It is clear that the way Coach McDaniels wants to build a team does not include Brandon Marshall. I can respect that, just like I can respect the fact that Marshall felt he was deserving of a new contract. It is more difficult to understand the way Marshall went about expressing his displeasure. But we all make choices.
“The situation was what it was,” McDaniels added. “I think we worked it the best way that we could so that all of us could get what we were looking for.”
Given that the situation was not going to work, I believe the Broncos did well to get some value back. It was clear teams were not going to put an offer sheet in front of Brandon and risk losing a first-round pick.
There are plenty of second-round picks who have had terrific NFL careers. There are also plenty who did not have much of a career at all. Time will tell how good of a deal this turns out to be. Time will tell which team, if any, came out better.
What are your thoughts about the trade? I enjoy reading your posts and ask that you please keep comments appropriate in nature.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Though I enjoyed watching Marshall on the field, there clearly was no future in Denver. I’m glad the Broncos didn’t give him $50 million with $24 million guaranteed. This was the only way to go and I think we got good compensation in return, considering the circumstances. Now bring on the draft
!
BroncosNL…My guess is that many people will agree with you. As you know, the key about the draft picks is whom the Broncos select, assuming they don’t trade the picks. Mike
Would a third round pick be enough “value” if we trade McD?
sndvl…come on. Don’t hide behind a cheap shot. If you don’t like a move, make an intelligent case as to why. You can do better. Mike
I like the move, I wasn’t fussed either way, if we keep him, but I just wanted good value for him. And I think we got that, as long as McD and X-man pick good players. It will be an interesting offseason.
I’m really glad with the value we got for him. I also think by draft day or on draft day that Scheffler will be traded, and hopefully we get a 3rd for him. Then we would have 2 2nds and 2 3rds as well as the #11 overall. That’s not bad at all.
You tell em Mike!
I bet the Redskins give us a third for Shef
I agree with you 100% BroncosNL. Now with Marshall gone and all of the distractions that came with him, this team will be able to better focus on the task at hand. Playing and winning football games. Can’t wait to see what happens in the draft, and upcoming season. I tend to think that the most important position at this time to fill is center. As we get closer to the draft, I wouldn’t be surprised to see us make a move for Pouncey. If not at the #11, maybe by trading down and getting another 2nd or 3rd pick. We really need to solidify the OL now more than ever first to get the running game going and of course to give Orton protection. Even with the receivers we have now, the offense should be good, but only if the running game can be established because without that we will not be able to get much else going. IMO.
Pouncey is a solid pick. But as many others have said he is not worth a #11 pick. Something tells me that we will all be surprised on draft day. Many on this blog are making predictions as to who will be picked. I’m not even “going to take a shot in the dark.” One thing I learned from last years draft is that us fans (and draft experts) have no clue what McD and Xanders are planning behind closed doors. Lets just hope we have an A+ draft because that will probably be a determining factor in wheter we make the playoffs or not.
GO BRONCOS 2010…..
Dez Bryant is slower than a fullback. Was constantly late to class, team meetings and team practices. Has pacman jones as a mentor. Parties way more than Marshall. And this is who they are looking at???
Redskins have Chris cooley. Best tight end in the league.
Who will we have? No recieving tight end. Graham drops way too many balls and quinn has no exp. Our draft needs doubled in 2 days. Teams full of rookies end up looking like the rams and lions
Week 17 was a showing that we don’t need Marshall. Gaffney destroyed the Chiefs. He was covered by Flowers and that guy is no joke. It was too bad Derrick Johnson got so lucky on those two picks or we could have won. Yes those plays were complete luck, right place, right time. Let’s draft Pouncey, he’s going to be one of the best centers in the league, he can play guard too. There’s plenty of receivers that will be great in the NFL in this draft. Well, there’s plenty of every position that will be great. Deepest draft in such a long time, glad we added another 2nd rounder.
I’m kind of suprised all of the mock drafts and experts have us going after safeties in either the first or second rounds. I like Bruton and McBath alot (not to mention my personal favorite Josh Barrett). Sure Dawk and Hill aren’t the youngest guys but I hardly see that a position that warrants a 1-2 rounder this year when the Oline and receiving corps both are depleted.
The only “big” wideouts I see that warrant our attention are Eric Decker (6’3) Brandon Lafell (6’2) and Riley Cooper (6’3). All of these guys will be available late 2nd to 3rd round. Decker being my personal choice.
With Stokely aging I’d like to see Royal take over as the stud slot guy which means we will need help at the number 1 wideout. This pick has got to be Benn or Tate in my eyes even though they aren’t huge (Neither is Steve Smith or Desean Jackson though) With our 43 or 45 pick we have to snag one of these guys.
The first rounder is the mystery to me… Do we take McClain? Trade back for Pouncey? Groom Dan Williams to replace Jamal Willliams? Or does some great value fall into our lap with a guy like Joe Haden? Should be interesting and I’m very excited to see how it unfolds next week
It has been mentioned numerous times on TV and websites and blogs but I really agree with the point that if you look at the New England teams that won the Super Bowl, they didn’t have a Brandon Marshall “stud” wideout. Patten, Brown, Branch were the main guys. Look at the Saints this year, Colston is good but not a Marshall type… then they had Meachem, Lance Moore, and Henderson.
Maybe this is the way to go with 4 quality wideouts instead of depending so much on one guy to snag 15-20 targets per game.
Great Article Mike
We can argue the point forever, and we darn near have on these blogs since this situation dragged out long enough. But we finally got what we all wanted…A decision. While it is not one that sits well with me and am sure not one that sits well with many others, it is what i is. It is truly as you put it, McDaniels wants to build his team one way, Marshall wants to make his worth, both couldnt see eye to eye for some reason. We can argue the reason, but at the end of the day, it takes two to tango and they both made their mistakes. Im gonna miss Marshall alot, probably my favorite WR of all time because of what he could do once the ball got into his hands. He was electriifying. One of the most productive players we have ever had. Wish we got more value for him but it is what it is. But many organizations have survived losing top talent. Heck, the Vikings bounced back after losing Moss then Culpepper. Took a couple of years but hey. All I can do is try to understand, but i will never like trade, and will forever think we made a mistake, and while sndvls post was in bad taste, I can share his sentiments. Brandon was drafted in the 4th round, so maybe we will hit another 4ht round gold at WR lol.
TRB
HOF,
All true, but both NE and NO, both have two of the best QBs to ever play the game. We don’t have the luxury of a demi-god QB. A great QB can make WRs spectacular. I wonder if Collie, Garcon, and all of them, will be just as good with an Orton instead of a manning. Takes a great WR to do amazingly well and break records with a average QB. And this isnt bashing Orton. Its just a fact w/ a sprinkle of opinion.
Mr. Rice, I have been vocal of my lack of faith in this coach and his head scratching decisions. As far as the true value of this deal, truth is we may never know. Both teams are taking a huge gamble. Denver (and McD) are taking the biggest gamble. In 6 days the picture will become a little more clear about the real value of this deal!
Draft well and draft smart….
Not a cheap shot gentlemen…just a rhetorical question!
I believe it was Stink and Sharpe who both said, you dont win in this league by trading away top talent.
So, we need to add WR to the already large list of glaring needs for THIS team to crawl out of the 2-8 hole.
C, Powerback, G, ILB (unless we use Larsen, lol), youth on D-line, youth in the secondary. Did I mention WR?
1nOnlyTRB, are you -the- TRB? The good, intelligent, noninsulting one?
BigD 44, not only is it like taking a shot in the dark to say whom we are going to draft with what pick because of McD and Xanders unpredictabilty, but more importantly we are pretty much in the dark about each pick because we have also little clue as whom will be drafted by what team in every single pick before ours!!!
The only way you can make a mock pick for our #11 is after the # 10 pick has been chosen, and we will have to wait until the 42nd pick has been chosen before we know who is left for us to help us with the #43 pick, etc, etc, etc…. That is the real problem, it’s like the difference between playing fantasy football or the real thing, living in a dream or dealing with reality, etc…
All that being said, making mock drafts is fun for the fans to do in the off season, keeps the media and us busy, but they are utterly impossible to predict correctly, case in point I had only one right for us last year, Ayers with the second first.
Anyhow, the answer to all that for our team, and every team for that matter, is to have as many draft boards as possible representing every scenario possible for all the teams picking ahead of us before each one of our pick, and only then will you be properly prepared for the draft, a monster undertaking which understandingly so was not well executed last year do to the lack of preparation time of the newly hired coaching crew. I am very excited about the draft and can’t wait to get yet another pick, for Scheffler this time.
However, if McD blows a second draft in a row, it will not sit well with Bronco country which is partly in a uproar already. Like don’t pass on Williams if he is available and go Dez, that would be a deja vu all over again: Orapko was still available and we went Moreno. That would be too much and completely undermine McD’s credibility as for letting Marshall go. Just my opinions.
Completely agree with the lack of a stellar QB. There are other ways to win though just like with the Giants winning the Super Bowl (Eli is the most overrated QB in my eyes) Ravens with Dilfer. We need to find our formula which I hope is running the ball and great defense and dominating time of possession
With our current QB’s, running the ball is not only my choice, but a must. Even with a great QB, the running game is critical, ask Elway…
I swear if McD drafts Bryant, I will drive to his house and slap him…..ok maybe not but I’ll be very dissapointed. McD would be contradicting himself by drafting Bryant, you want smart, talented, and accountable players, Bryant may have talent but when you forget your cleats for your pro day makes you wonder.
I’m glad we traded Marshall when we did, teams would’ve offered only a 2nd rounder or a 3rd for him on draft day. This way we at least got more value out of the trade.
I think that the Broncos will do very well this season. Just means some other guys are going to have to step it up. We’ll see how our trade compares with the Steelers trading Holmes. They did the same thing we did no one is bustin’ their balls.
Bay,
You can’t say last years draft was a bust until the end of this season. If Moreno, Ayers, and Smith don’t improve and help this team win, then you can call it a bust. I personal think those three are going to have a hige impact this year. Especially Moreno, if we get the help at O line that we need.
I really hope we take Williams or McLain with #11. Pouncey is great, but will not be available with the 43rd pick I’m afraid. But, we can get a good O lineman in the secord or even third.
No way we draft Dez. If we do, I will then be on board with the McD doubters/haters. He is not dumb enough to get rid of one problem child for another. WhomI might add is unproven in this league
I don’t like the move because he’s trading a proven player for draft picks. There’s no guarantee that draft picks will pan out. If the picks we get for Marshall don’t pan out, then we just sent the most athletically gifted receiver the Broncos have ever had to the Miami Dolphins for free.
Sadly, I understand that Brandon Marshall wanted to go. He didn’t want anything to do with McDaniels and the Broncos.
We did not get fair value for a receiver that’s top-5 in the NFL. But we did get maximum value for Brandon Marshall considering all of the baggage he has. There’s a difference there and people need to be able to distinguish it.
Yea I don’t think Ayers, Smith, and Moreno are characterized by the bust label yet but how bout that stud 3rd round TE we decided to get in the 2nd round… we’ll never know if he’s a bust because he won’t be on the field
I wish I could agree McD won’t look at Dez but he brought him in for a visit Wednesday if I’m not mistaken… kind of hypocritcal if you ask me but who knows I guess it doesn’t hurt to talk to the kid and decide for himself on whether McD thinks he’s a player that will be team first or not
rebel, so far the highlights of last year draft were McBath and Bruton and maybe McKinley and Brandstater, but that was all in the second part of it, we really did poorly where it should count the most, in the first part of the draft, regardless of what the future holds. Moreno with # 12? Half pint Phonzy with another first? TE Quinn with a second? just my opinion.
Brian, I think the only reason they dont bust the steelers balls is because they have two championships in the last four years, and its the steelers. The media loves them. They can do no wrong.
I’m really sick of the NFL network (Jamie Dukes). They talk about us like we are the lions. Correction, worse then the Lions. I don’t know why they love to hate us.
I agree and respect your opinion Bay. My point was simply that it is too early to call those first and secaond round picks from last year a bust of mistake. Time will tell, hopefully soon for our sake.
Let’s not jump down Moreno’s throat right away bayin… the kid has alot of talent but he was getting hit behind the line of scrimmage constantly. Chris Johnson couldn’t run behind our line after Harris got hurt. I still like his toughness and expect him somewhere in the 1100-1300 yard range this season barring injury
Those scheduled player visits are partly to evaluate and partly to throw other teams off as far as what your intentions are coming draft day, good luck distinguishing which is which…
BTW Bay, have you gotten your boat and sea leags ready for the summer season?
Maybe so but bottom line is he came in for a visit which immediately raises eyebrows on why would he get rid of a problem child for another one. Bluff or not he has to be careful to maintain his credibility with the locker room
Bay is right, just because we brought in Dez on Wednesday doesnt mean we are considering him. He was not the only either. McLain was there and so was Tebow
HOF, just so you know if you weren’t here, I was on Moreno’s case all season long, not a big fan, will never be able to handle the load by himself, real poor field vision, doesn’t let blocks develop to follow them, all he could ever do was run around with what looked like his head cut off, and if he was quick enough, get a few yards, Bucky had way more sizable runs than Moreno did at twice his age, not really, lol, but my point is I was not impressed and I watched him for a full year, with only like playing a twelve game season because of injuries and missing some of training camp which you would think would of helped him staying fresh to the end, but on the contrary he kept wearing down and getting worse. Sorry, unless we get some real good power back to take the load off Moreno, he will not be the answer you guys wish him to be, just my opinion.
rebel, thanks for asking, actually with our climate on Lake Travis, I boat year round, spent about 15 nights on the water this Winter, and yes the Summer looks great as Lake Travis is a variable level lake and after a two year drought it had dropped by 50 ft but that ended this Winter and the lake is full again, beautiful.
Sounds awesome. I share a boat with some friends at Lake Oconnee in Georgia. We are getting ready for some fun in the sun. Its a beautiful lake, but we don’t have the luxury of being able to go out year round. I’m a little jealous.
FYI Lake Oconnee is were Rothlesberger had his little insedent. We have run into him the last two years during the summer. That guy is such a dufuss. He is this giant white boy from Ohio that acts like he is from south dentral LA.
Central
Moreno has been qouted as saying that he is training very hard in the off season to get ready for next season,and admits he needs to get better.He also said that it took a lot outta him last season.McD hammered him into the line of scrimmage like he was a powerback,which everyone knows he isn’t,bad playcalling and misuse of a skilled RB,NOT a powerback.
Moreno showed flashes of greatness in a lot of plays last year,I think he’ll be a great RB for years to come,but we do need a powerback to pound the middle,and not wear out and shorten Moreno’s career.
You guys experienced severe doughts in your lakes about three years ago if I remember right? Yeah, boating is a way of life, you either love it or hate it, I’ve been hooked for nearly 25 years. And this year on July 10, aquapaloozza is coming to Lake Travis, it was in Alabama last Summer, the biggest boat party in the country, Jimmy Buffet might be the headliner, 14,000 boats and 85,000 people participated last year, Stage build on the edge of the water, unaccessible by land and it’s party time at anchor from Friday through Sunday, I can already feel the hangover, LOL.
New england and saints didn’t have elite recievers but they had elite QBs. Same with a team of mediocre QBs with elite recievers. But when you have mediocre QBs paired with mediocre recievers you get nothing in return.
We did have severe droughts for the last two years. We have had enough rain this winter that most are back at full pool. However, Oconnee is sanctioned by the military, and they have an amazing irregation system in place to help maintain the water levels.
Where is lake Travis? sounds like an amazing party! Have fun and be safe. Go Broncos!
As far as the blog goes Mike I hated to see Marshall go(me and my 13 year old son are huge Marshall fans) but I knew it was going to happen,and to be honest I think we deserved a first round pick for a top 3 WR,but we got more than I thought we would under the circumstances.I just hope McD and Xanders draft wisely and fill our needs with smart picks.
Northwest of Austin, Texas, big party town, home to the Longhorns.
if last years draft is a bust..it will be because of our coach..beast from the east 92..is right about knowshon..he is not a big power back..like jack### was tryin to use him…he is tryin to turn our broncos..into the mini pats..i hope we get good picks this year..besides knowshon and Ryan Clady…our first rounds have been busts..the biggest would have to be Moss…we even trade up to get his no skill havin butt…
and trading our first round this year to get alphonso…was dumb…he wasn’t worth it..shoot to me Jack williams was a better corner than alphonso..alphonso reminds me of ray crockett..burnt constantly..he is not physical enough..
now to marshall..i’ll miss his skills and big play potential…but until he grows up..he’ll be another T.O….have all the skillz but the maturity of a 15 year old boy…o’yeah brandon..stop puttin your hands on your woman…thats the first thing he should learn…lol…
Mcd is too young to be a coach..look at his maturity…hoppin around and pumpin his fist..celebratin..like we won the super bowl…when we beat the weak pats…then cussin on tv because all he wants to do is win a bleepin game…lol…another .500 season…but i am a loyal Bronco fan so i’ll still be here when jan 2011 rolls around..and mcd has a new whippin boy to blame as why the team didn’t gel…remember Knowshon is not a powerback….he would have fit in shanny scheme easily..one cut and run…not smashin constantly in between a guard and center..lol…
Yea, footballmaniac, im the real TRB…thats why i put the 1 and only there lol. Not to be mistaken with the insulting one. I had long said if marshall was traded my name would be changed. So I went ahead and did it.
HOF
I am personally a fan of Moreno and think he can handle the load with ocassional breahters. Even Adrian Peterson doesnt handle the full load. Moreno is a solid all round back. If he gets teh blocking he needs and if we actually have running plays that dont ALL look the same. He will do fine. McDaniels was predictable in all aspects last year (I say McDaniels cuz i believe it was his playbook and he was the one calling the plays). ALL his runs looked EXACTLY the same (with the exception of wild horses) and his pass plays were all short, or the WR screen. We just lost our MR YAC, so i dunno how well his short passes and screens will survive this year. But i believe in MOreno, if we drastically improve the play book, and oline blocking scheme, but McDaniels is stubborn so i wont put to much faith in that happening. And like sndvl, I dont have faith in his ability to lead this team. All he has to do is prove me wrong. And by proving me wrong, he makes me happy, helps our team succeed, and secures his job, so proving guys like me and sndvl wrong benefits him. But i wouldnt hold my breath. Point is, I think Moreno is great, and will do just fine. But with the loss of Marshall, I suggest we get another Good RB now, so that we can secure the ground game, cuz our aerial attack will more than likely be whack.
Well said on all counts Wanagi. I think Marshall has matured. He wont be like T.O but only time will tell. Miami got themselves a a dedicated player that fights for every yard, and just wants to prove nay sayers wrong. WE matured him here in denver. And Miami shall reap the benefits.