http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_8697546?source=commented-broncos
Brandon Marshall's 24th birthday was Easter Sunday.
Don't you think it's about time to grow up, Brandon?
Marshall has been called "Baby T.O," a reference to his size and talent as a wide receiver.
The nickname is appropriate. He acts like a baby, and many of his actions are worse than Terrell Owens'.
Are we supposed to forgive Marshall his behavior and stupidity because he is the Broncos' best receiver? Perhaps he should visit Michael Vick in jail or Pacman Jones in exile.
Marshall showed up in court Monday to request a continuance in his drunken-driving charge.
His arm was in a large cast. He didn't get the injury in a spring football drill.
At first, Marshall claimed he had suffered "small cuts" because, after he poured a glass of water, he accidentally slipped on a paper bag and his hand was scratched, and required stitches, when he fell into an entertainment center.
Later, Marshall admitted being involved in "horseplaying" with a relative, and his hand smashed through a TV screen. The "small cuts" severed an artery, nerves and tendons in five muscles of his right forearm.
"I understand I've had my problems, but what people are saying, they're trying to twist this thing around to make me sound like some kind of bad guy," Marshall said Monday.
Marshall has been some kind of bad guy in part because he has had lots of problems and isn't always forthcoming.
While he was a student-athlete at the University of Central Florida in 2004, Marshall was arrested in Orlando (where the recent "accident" occurred) on charges of assault on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. According to The Orlando Sentinel, Marshall's friends were arguing outside with others at a Denny's, and police were called. As the result of a shouting match, Marshall was arrested and handcuffed. Charges against Marshall were dropped, but he was suspended for one game. In another incident, he was charged with driving with a suspended license. There have been other unkind descriptions about Marshall's stay at UCF.
Those occurrences can be dismissed as college foolishness and irresponsibility.
However, 2007, off the field, was particularly ugly for Marshall, and can't be dismissed so readily.
Shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, Broncos teammate Darrent Williams was murdered. Another Denver wide receiver, Javon Walker (released recently), and Williams' friends told HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" that trouble began when two men got into an argument with Marshall and his cousin at a nightclub in downtown Denver. Media reports stated that Marshall sprayed champagne on the men, and they flashed gang signs. The dispute later was continued outside, and Walker said he pulled Williams away and into a limousine as Marshall and his cousin left in another car. Soon after a shot was fired into the limo Walker and Williams jumped in, and Williams was killed.
Marshall has declined to talk publicly (but, no doubt, to investigators) about events that night leading up to the tragedy.
In March of last year, Marshall was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and false imprisonment. Marshall attempted to prevent a taxi, which picked up his girlfriend, from leaving his property in suburban Denver. Marshall said he was trying to retrieve his cellphone. Chargers were dropped when Marshall completed an anger management course.
Marshall was charged with DUI in October after being stopped in LoDo, but pleaded not guilty, and his attorney is challenging the Breathalyzer test result.
With the Broncos, at training camp last year, Marshall sat out the first two weeks with a quadriceps injury. Coach Mike Shanahan then ordered Marshall to practice.
After the Broncos' 41-3 loss to San Diego at home on Oct. 7, Marshall ripped the spectators, most of whom departed long before the humiliating game ended. "If you're going to be a Broncos fan, be a Broncos fan. Don't boo us when we're down. When we start winning, then what?"
In December Marshall got into a brief shouting match in a receivers meeting with assistant coach Jeremy Bates, but denied rumors that he told Bates to cut him from the team.
Marshall's year on the field was spectacular. He finished fifth in the NFL in receptions, 102, and sixth in yardage, 1,325. He started all 16 games and scored seven touchdowns in his second season after being selected by the Broncos in the fourth round in 2006.
The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Marshall was a solid high school basketball player and the state triple jump champion in Florida after moving from Pennsylvania. His father was the all-city quarterback in Pittsburgh and played college ball and was, Marshall once said, "my biggest influence."
Marshall is gifted as a football player. He should have been chosen to the Pro Bowl. He could be the Broncos' No. 1 receiver for years. He could earn millions of dollars and become a star. He is Jay Cutler's favorite target and has worked on passing patterns in the offseason with the quarterback and tight end Tony Scheffler.
Marshall will be out with his injury until training camp, and maybe beyond.
Definitely, not perhaps, during his rehabilitation, Marshall should talk with Haven Moses, Steve Watson, Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith — four of the Broncos' all-time great receivers and good people — about what it takes to be a quality man in this city, on this team and in society. Catching passes isn't enough.
Marshall must clean up his act and mature before his next birthday, or he will remain Baby T.O.
Brandon Marshall's 24th birthday was Easter Sunday.
Don't you think it's about time to grow up, Brandon?
Marshall has been called "Baby T.O," a reference to his size and talent as a wide receiver.
The nickname is appropriate. He acts like a baby, and many of his actions are worse than Terrell Owens'.
Are we supposed to forgive Marshall his behavior and stupidity because he is the Broncos' best receiver? Perhaps he should visit Michael Vick in jail or Pacman Jones in exile.
Marshall showed up in court Monday to request a continuance in his drunken-driving charge.
His arm was in a large cast. He didn't get the injury in a spring football drill.
At first, Marshall claimed he had suffered "small cuts" because, after he poured a glass of water, he accidentally slipped on a paper bag and his hand was scratched, and required stitches, when he fell into an entertainment center.
Later, Marshall admitted being involved in "horseplaying" with a relative, and his hand smashed through a TV screen. The "small cuts" severed an artery, nerves and tendons in five muscles of his right forearm.
"I understand I've had my problems, but what people are saying, they're trying to twist this thing around to make me sound like some kind of bad guy," Marshall said Monday.
Marshall has been some kind of bad guy in part because he has had lots of problems and isn't always forthcoming.
While he was a student-athlete at the University of Central Florida in 2004, Marshall was arrested in Orlando (where the recent "accident" occurred) on charges of assault on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. According to The Orlando Sentinel, Marshall's friends were arguing outside with others at a Denny's, and police were called. As the result of a shouting match, Marshall was arrested and handcuffed. Charges against Marshall were dropped, but he was suspended for one game. In another incident, he was charged with driving with a suspended license. There have been other unkind descriptions about Marshall's stay at UCF.
Those occurrences can be dismissed as college foolishness and irresponsibility.
However, 2007, off the field, was particularly ugly for Marshall, and can't be dismissed so readily.
Shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, Broncos teammate Darrent Williams was murdered. Another Denver wide receiver, Javon Walker (released recently), and Williams' friends told HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" that trouble began when two men got into an argument with Marshall and his cousin at a nightclub in downtown Denver. Media reports stated that Marshall sprayed champagne on the men, and they flashed gang signs. The dispute later was continued outside, and Walker said he pulled Williams away and into a limousine as Marshall and his cousin left in another car. Soon after a shot was fired into the limo Walker and Williams jumped in, and Williams was killed.
Marshall has declined to talk publicly (but, no doubt, to investigators) about events that night leading up to the tragedy.
In March of last year, Marshall was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and false imprisonment. Marshall attempted to prevent a taxi, which picked up his girlfriend, from leaving his property in suburban Denver. Marshall said he was trying to retrieve his cellphone. Chargers were dropped when Marshall completed an anger management course.
Marshall was charged with DUI in October after being stopped in LoDo, but pleaded not guilty, and his attorney is challenging the Breathalyzer test result.
With the Broncos, at training camp last year, Marshall sat out the first two weeks with a quadriceps injury. Coach Mike Shanahan then ordered Marshall to practice.
After the Broncos' 41-3 loss to San Diego at home on Oct. 7, Marshall ripped the spectators, most of whom departed long before the humiliating game ended. "If you're going to be a Broncos fan, be a Broncos fan. Don't boo us when we're down. When we start winning, then what?"
In December Marshall got into a brief shouting match in a receivers meeting with assistant coach Jeremy Bates, but denied rumors that he told Bates to cut him from the team.
Marshall's year on the field was spectacular. He finished fifth in the NFL in receptions, 102, and sixth in yardage, 1,325. He started all 16 games and scored seven touchdowns in his second season after being selected by the Broncos in the fourth round in 2006.
The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Marshall was a solid high school basketball player and the state triple jump champion in Florida after moving from Pennsylvania. His father was the all-city quarterback in Pittsburgh and played college ball and was, Marshall once said, "my biggest influence."
Marshall is gifted as a football player. He should have been chosen to the Pro Bowl. He could be the Broncos' No. 1 receiver for years. He could earn millions of dollars and become a star. He is Jay Cutler's favorite target and has worked on passing patterns in the offseason with the quarterback and tight end Tony Scheffler.
Marshall will be out with his injury until training camp, and maybe beyond.
Definitely, not perhaps, during his rehabilitation, Marshall should talk with Haven Moses, Steve Watson, Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith — four of the Broncos' all-time great receivers and good people — about what it takes to be a quality man in this city, on this team and in society. Catching passes isn't enough.
Marshall must clean up his act and mature before his next birthday, or he will remain Baby T.O.
