[Quesadilla Joe]

Marshall and McDaniels share special moment

October 4, 2009 10:50 PM

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



Brandon Marshall's on-field exploits were the story on Sunday.

DENVER -- It was a moment that appeared unlikely to happen.

Brandon Marshall and Josh McDaniels hugged in a wild sideline celebration Sunday.
Didn’t see that one coming.

After all the drama of the summer, Marshall became a huge part of the Denver Broncos again with one catch.

With 1:46 remaining, he scored the game-winning touchdown to give the Broncos a 17-10 victory on a 51-yard catch-and-run. Marshall ran all over the field and he eluded several defenders.

Finally, it was about Marshall’s immense on-field ability and not his off-field missteps. It wasn’t about Marshall being arrested or asking for a trade or being suspended by the team.

It was about what he can give Denver as a big-time receiver.

“I’ve been waiting for that one for a long time,” Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. “That’s what Brandon Marshall does. He’s one of the best receivers in the game.”

Perhaps Sunday’s spectacular moment officially closes the door on the Marshall controversy in Denver.

His embrace with his coach was clearly a special moment. The two reconnected in a post-game press conference. To be fair, Marshall’s beef really was never about McDaniels. Unlike quarterback Jay Cutler, Marshall’s problem with the Broncos , not the coach.

“You never heard me say anything (bad) about him coaching or what he brings to the organization,” Marshall said Sunday. “Coach does a great job of preparing us and getting us in the right position and just getting our team going every day.”

McDaniels was just as complimentary.

“He’s just one of us, is what he is. I’m not going to comment on where he was, but he is one of us,” McDaniels said. “Our team loves him, we love him and I think he loves being a part of this team. He plays just as hard as they do every day at practice. We have a team and he is a big part of it.”

Marshall suggested Sunday that his issues with the club are, indeed, over.

“I feel good,” Marshall said. I think the guys in the locker room and just the people around the organization embraced me and have just been there for me.”

If Marshall continues to deliver the way he did Sunday, his behavior from this summer will soon be forgotten.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest
McHuggie!