Chiefs Brandon Marshall benched for Chiefs-Broncos game

baitism · 01-01-2010, 10:43 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4788055

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Just when they finally patched things up, Brandon Marshall and Josh McDaniels are back to square one, and another reconciliation appears farfetched.

McDaniels announced Friday he's benching Marshall, his Pro Bowl wide receiver, for the team's pivotal season finale against Kansas City on Sunday.

"Our word for the week has been accountability. And we're looking to put the 45 guys on the field on Sunday that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs," McDaniels said. "... And anybody that showed any indifference to that, we'll play without them.

Marshall suggested he couldn't have played anyway after pulling his right hamstring at practice this week.

In an extraordinary half-hour at Dove Valley, McDaniels insinuated on the podium that Marshall was exaggerating the extent of his injury and was unaccountable to the team. The Pro Bowl receiver responded from his locker by noting McDaniels never played in the NFL and hinting he might be getting called out by his coach because the Broncos' season is unraveling.

Since a sizzling 6-0 start, the Broncos have gone 2-7.

They'll try to make the playoffs Sunday without their 100-catch receiver or tight end Tony Scheffler, demoted to the scout team, and maybe minus wide receiver Eddie Royal, who has a head injury.

Marshall was voted to his second straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday after becoming just the fifth wide receiver with three consecutive 100-catch seasons. He spoke Wednesday about how fulfilling it was to bounce back after a tumultuous offseason that included a rocky start to his relationship with McDaniels, who rejected trade requests and demands for a new contract. McDaniels also suspended him for nine days during training camp for insubordination at practice.

Minutes later, Marshall was clutching his right hamstring after pulling up lame on a route and hopping to the sideline.

Marshall said an MRI showed no structural damage, "but when you try to explode and take off, if you don't have it, you don't have it."

He missed Thursday's practice, and when asked if his star receiver would work out Friday, McDaniels said Marshall would be deactivated for the game and noted it was "a coaching decision," not an injury issue."

"There's a number of players that are going to play on Sunday with things that are much more difficult to deal with than what he has," McDaniels said, a phrase he repeated three times during his news conference.

"It's never going to be acceptable while I'm here and while this staff is here and while we're trying to build our staff with this philosophy. I don't know if it was acceptable before, but it isn't going to be now and it never will be. And this isn't about sending a message, it's about fielding a team that wants to go out there and win and give us the best opportunity to do that."

Co-captain Daniel Graham said that while Marshall has been a good teammate this year, McDaniels was doing what was in the team's best interests.

Marshall said he respected his coach's decision, but couldn't play effectively with his tweaked hamstring. He also couldn't believe McDaniels was questioning his toughness.

"I don't think coach ever played in the NFL, 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," Marshall said. "I've battled through a whole lot of injuries before. I played the whole year last year with a tear in my hip. So, I don't think my toughness is in question here."

Marshall also took offense to the suggestion he wasn't buying into McDaniels' program.

"I'm a guy who's been giving it up a lot for this team," said Marshall, who has 101 receptions for 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns. "I approached this year in a professional manner and I'm going to continue to do that. If he decides to take some personal shots because of the way the season's unfolding, it's not my fault. "I've made big plays when I'm supposed to."

What about accountability?

"Well, accountability and injury is different, you know?" Marshall said. "I pulled, well, I wouldn't say I pulled my hamstring, it's definitely not that bad, but it's tough."

Marshall said he hopes he's available next week if the Broncos make the playoffs, which would make for an awkward situation given all the accusations flying around Friday.

Are the Broncos laying the groundwork for a separation? Will the sides ever be able to patch up their differences?

Marshall is in the final year of a contract that pays him $2.2 million this season. His earnings power might be limited this offseason if there's no new collective bargaining agreement, leaving him as a restricted free agent. That means the Broncos could offer only a modest raise of about $1 million -- providing they want to keep him.

McDaniels said he didn't know if contractual issues were at the root of his latest dustup with Marshall, but suggested the receiver was putting selfish interests ahead of the team's.

Asked if Marshall will even be in the stadium Sunday, McDaniels said: "I don't know."

Was this the last straw?

"Anything I do moving forward is going to be in a professional manner," Marshall said. "I'm not going to get into any he said/she said like we've done in the past. I think that's childish, and like I said, I don't think there's any question about my toughness, the way I play the game. It could be first-and-10 and if I gain 15 yards, I'm still fighting for 16 yards."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Sounds like McDaniels needs 53 Lance Longs.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-01-2010, 10:46 PM

Would McKid have the balls to sit Marshall and Scheffler in a do-or-die game if it wasn't against the Chiefs?

I can't see him doing this if the opponent was the Chargers, Ravens, etc.

LaChapelle · 01-01-2010, 10:48 PM

WilliamTheIrish · 01-01-2010, 10:49 PM

He should put Marshall in the shed.

**DeezNutz** · 01-01-2010, 10:50 PM

Damn, Marshall really dropped the ball on this one.

**DaFace** · 01-01-2010, 11:02 PM

Well, we may actually get to see what happens when a team literally runs the ball on us all day. I still think we don't have much of a chance unfortunately.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-01-2010, 11:13 PM

Marshall's out? To the float!!!

teedubya · 01-01-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Marshall's out? To the float!!!

To the Raft!!!

58kcfan89 · 01-01-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Well, we may actually get to see what happens when a team literally runs the ball on us all day. I still think we don't have much of a chance unfortunately.

....Cleveland game?... And I unfortunately agree that we don't have much of a chance. But you never know, it's a rivalry game and we have nothing to lose, while Denver has a lot riding on the game. Any given Sunday type of thing...

And am I the only one who hopes we win because one of their WRs either drops a TD pass on the last play of the game or tips a pass that ends up in a pick-6 for us in the 4th quarter? Would make McDaniels look like a real McDumbass!1!!!!111!!!11!1!

ClevelandBronco · 01-02-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58kcfan89

...Denver has a lot riding on the game...

No. They really don't.

keg in kc · 01-02-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Well, we may actually get to see what happens when a team literally runs the ball on us all day. I still think we don't have much of a chance unfortunately.

Yeah, it's not going to suck any less when we lose.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 01-02-2010, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

To the Raft!!!

To the shuffleboard!!!!

Stinger · 01-02-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

To the Raft!!!

To the Dingy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .............

Quesadilla Joe · 01-02-2010, 12:36 AM

repost

58kcfan89 · 01-02-2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

No. They really don't.

Uh, doesn't Denver need to win to have the best/easiest scenario to get into the playoffs?

01-01-2010, 10:43 PM
baitism Starter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Casino cash: $3599551	Brandon Marshall benched for Chiefs-Broncos game http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4788055 ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Just when they finally patched things up, Brandon Marshall and Josh McDaniels are back to square one, and another reconciliation appears farfetched. McDaniels announced Friday he's benching Marshall, his Pro Bowl wide receiver, for the team's pivotal season finale against Kansas City on Sunday. "Our word for the week has been accountability. And we're looking to put the 45 guys on the field on Sunday that want to play together, want to help us try to win and qualify for the playoffs," McDaniels said. "... And anybody that showed any indifference to that, we'll play without them. Marshall suggested he couldn't have played anyway after pulling his right hamstring at practice this week. In an extraordinary half-hour at Dove Valley, McDaniels insinuated on the podium that Marshall was exaggerating the extent of his injury and was unaccountable to the team. The Pro Bowl receiver responded from his locker by noting McDaniels never played in the NFL and hinting he might be getting called out by his coach because the Broncos' season is unraveling. Since a sizzling 6-0 start, the Broncos have gone 2-7. They'll try to make the playoffs Sunday without their 100-catch receiver or tight end Tony Scheffler, demoted to the scout team, and maybe minus wide receiver Eddie Royal, who has a head injury. Marshall was voted to his second straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday after becoming just the fifth wide receiver with three consecutive 100-catch seasons. He spoke Wednesday about how fulfilling it was to bounce back after a tumultuous offseason that included a rocky start to his relationship with McDaniels, who rejected trade requests and demands for a new contract. McDaniels also suspended him for nine days during training camp for insubordination at practice. Minutes later, Marshall was clutching his right hamstring after pulling up lame on a route and hopping to the sideline. Marshall said an MRI showed no structural damage, "but when you try to explode and take off, if you don't have it, you don't have it." He missed Thursday's practice, and when asked if his star receiver would work out Friday, McDaniels said Marshall would be deactivated for the game and noted it was "a coaching decision," not an injury issue." "There's a number of players that are going to play on Sunday with things that are much more difficult to deal with than what he has," McDaniels said, a phrase he repeated three times during his news conference. "It's never going to be acceptable while I'm here and while this staff is here and while we're trying to build our staff with this philosophy. I don't know if it was acceptable before, but it isn't going to be now and it never will be. And this isn't about sending a message, it's about fielding a team that wants to go out there and win and give us the best opportunity to do that." Co-captain Daniel Graham said that while Marshall has been a good teammate this year, McDaniels was doing what was in the team's best interests. Marshall said he respected his coach's decision, but couldn't play effectively with his tweaked hamstring. He also couldn't believe McDaniels was questioning his toughness. "I don't think coach ever played in the NFL, 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," Marshall said. "I've battled through a whole lot of injuries before. I played the whole year last year with a tear in my hip. So, I don't think my toughness is in question here." Marshall also took offense to the suggestion he wasn't buying into McDaniels' program. "I'm a guy who's been giving it up a lot for this team," said Marshall, who has 101 receptions for 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns. "I approached this year in a professional manner and I'm going to continue to do that. If he decides to take some personal shots because of the way the season's unfolding, it's not my fault. "I've made big plays when I'm supposed to." What about accountability? "Well, accountability and injury is different, you know?" Marshall said. "I pulled, well, I wouldn't say I pulled my hamstring, it's definitely not that bad, but it's tough." Marshall said he hopes he's available next week if the Broncos make the playoffs, which would make for an awkward situation given all the accusations flying around Friday. Are the Broncos laying the groundwork for a separation? Will the sides ever be able to patch up their differences? Marshall is in the final year of a contract that pays him $2.2 million this season. His earnings power might be limited this offseason if there's no new collective bargaining agreement, leaving him as a restricted free agent. That means the Broncos could offer only a modest raise of about $1 million -- providing they want to keep him. McDaniels said he didn't know if contractual issues were at the root of his latest dustup with Marshall, but suggested the receiver was putting selfish interests ahead of the team's. Asked if Marshall will even be in the stadium Sunday, McDaniels said: "I don't know." Was this the last straw? "Anything I do moving forward is going to be in a professional manner," Marshall said. "I'm not going to get into any he said/she said like we've done in the past. I think that's childish, and like I said, I don't think there's any question about my toughness, the way I play the game. It could be first-and-10 and if I gain 15 yards, I'm still fighting for 16 yards." Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press Sounds like McDaniels needs 53 Lance Longs.
Posts: 273

01-01-2010, 10:46 PM	#2
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2111115	Would McKid have the balls to sit Marshall and Scheffler in a do-or-die game if it wasn't against the Chiefs? I can't see him doing this if the opponent was the Chargers, Ravens, etc.
Posts: 60,750

01-01-2010, 10:48 PM	#3
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	. Attached Thumbnails
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01-01-2010, 10:49 PM	#4
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $2610607	He should put Marshall in the shed.
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01-01-2010, 11:02 PM	#6
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $-1773101	Well, we may actually get to see what happens when a team literally runs the ball on us all day. I still think we don't have much of a chance unfortunately.
Posts: 53,146

01-02-2010, 12:36 AM	#14
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $3408675	repost __________________ “(Sean) Payton feels as strongly about Bo Nix as he did Mahomes.“ - Adam Schefter
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