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Broncos' Marshall to keep an eye on T.O.

By Sam Adams, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 12, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Updated August 12, 2008 at 4 p.m.

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Broncos players talk about the Dallas Cowboys, who come to town for two practices and a preseason game this week.

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The on-field comparisons between Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Dallas Cowboys star Terrell Owens are inevitable. Both are tall targets with the ability to break tackles and make big plays.

Owens, who played college football at Tennessee-Chattanooga, is at the peak of his career, compiling statistics worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

Marshall played at Central Florida. He's on the rise, a third-year player working on shedding the shadow of off-field troubles to become one of the game's elite performers.

On Tuesday I asked Marshall if he's ready this week for the comparisons to Owens.

"You know what, man? I pride myself on just being where I'm supposed to be, when I'm supposed to be there — and that run after the catch," Marshall said. "That's big for me.

"I watch T.O. a lot. He's just a great athlete."

Smiling, Marshall added, "But I don't think he's got anything on me as far as catching that ball and getting upfield."

Marshall has a lot of confidence in his abilities. That doesn't mean he's too narrow-minded to take notes on one of the game's best wide receivers while he's at work on the practice field.

"I'm always trying to learn. I learn from Eddie Royal. I learn from Samie Parker. Especially when (Owens) gets here, I'll definitely keep an eye on him."

Marshall was born in Pittsburgh and grew up watching the Steelers. He wanted to play running back and was focused more on learning moves of players the likes of Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Barry Foster.

The switch from running back to wide receiver for Marshall came in high school. "My freshman year I was playing running back. I was the new guy, had just moved to a new city," he said. "They already had their roster set. I told them I played running back.

"It was a jamboree game and they gave me a toss to the right. I broke for about 30 yards, shook about three people — you know, the usual . . . They gave me the same play and I ended up fumbling the ball.

"They threw me at wide receiver and I've been there since."