Marshall's retort: Well, Jones is 'no Champ'
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 13, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall wore a sign that read "21's no Champ," in response to the Cowboys' Adam Jones, who had said Dallas receiver Terrell Owens is "10 times" faster and stronger than Marshall.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Marshall and Cowboys cornerback Jones converse during the team's joint practice at Dove Valley.
Video: Former Broncos wide receiver talks about the development of current Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall. Watch »
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Brandon Marshall used sign language to make a lighthearted jab at one of his critics Wednesday.
The Broncos receiver wrote "21's no Champ" and affixed it to a sticker on the back of his shoulder pads for the afternoon workout against the Dallas Cowboys. The sign was clearly visible, as Marshall rolled up his jersey to expose the message.
It was his way of answering cornerback Adam Jones, who earlier in the day had stated that Terrell Owens is "10 times" faster and stronger than Marshall.
Marshall's comeback suggested that Jones, formerly known as "Pacman," doesn't hold a candle to Denver's eight- time Pro Bowl cover man Champ Bailey.
"Like I said last year, football, to me, is like Pop Warner -- halftime, Pop-Tarts and Kool-Aid. And all I'm doing out here is having fun. I meant what I said," Marshall said of his shoulder-pad scrawl. "I'm pretty sure he meant what he said. Tomorrow's another day to go out there and compete. And like I said, 'He's no Champ.' "
Jones and Marshall didn't square off head-to-head much in the afternoon practice, so it took a while for the message to reach its intended target.
"Probably toward the end of practice he said, 'Dang, man, I just seen what you wrote,' " Marshall said. "I said, 'Boy, you slow.' "
Marshall promised to keep up the trash talk, too.
"I got a good one for him (today) -- a really good one that's going to be on my back, a nice little saying," he said.
Marshall has frequently been compared with Owens because of their large builds as receivers and possibly, too, for the drama each bring his team. He earned the nickname "Baby T.O." while he was at Central Florida.
Asked about how Marshall stacks up with Owens, Jones recoiled after the first joint Dallas-Denver practice at Dove Valley.
"Nah," Jones said. "He's nowhere near T.O."
Jones credited Marshall for being a "good athlete." But that's about all the credit he was willing to dole out.
"First of all, T.O.'s 10 times faster than Brandon Marshall and 10 times stronger than Brandon Marshall," Jones contended in stating his case for Owens, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. "You can get your hands on 'B' at the line, but T.O. has a good thing where he snatches and rips. . . . (Marshall) ain't no T.O."
Marshall is coming off a season in which he joined Issac Bruce and Larry Fitzgerald as the only players in history to catch at least 100 passes in their second NFL season.
Additionally, Marshall's 1,325 yards were third in Broncos history in a season.
And he's only 24 years old.
Owens, 34, already has eight 1,000-yard receiving seasons on his resume. His 129 receiving touchdowns are 120 more than Marshall.
"It isn't a comparison right now," agreed Rod Smith, the Broncos' all-time leading receiver who visited practice Wednesday. "You compare five, six years from now, maybe. But T.O.'s one of the top receivers in the league over the last 10 years for a reason. . . . It's two different eras, realistically. Brandon's in the new era and T.O.'s old school and knows how to get it done."
But 10 times slower and weaker?
Marshall responded that, if that's true, "I've got some work to do."
At other points in interviews, Marshall took a Zenlike attitude to the to-do started by Jones, who he "called one of the best in the business at what he does" and attributed the bluster demonstrated to the cornerback "to the type of guy he is."
"I'm reading this book called The Four Agreements," Marshall said, referring to a self-help book that deals with discovering personal freedom through one's actions. "And in the first chapter, they talk about taking things personally. If I take things personally, I'm accepting that I'm not as good as he says I'm not."
And, for the record, Marshall, who was wearing a T-shirt given to him by Owens on Wednesday, also doesn't back down when it comes to the comparisons to the Cowboys' wideout.
"Right now, I feel great and I feel like I'm at the top of my game. I can't get complacent where I'm at, but I'm never going to say there's another man better than me. T.O.'s not better than me. Chad Johnson's not better than me. That's how I look at things."
So, can Jones cover Marshall?
"Absolutely not," Marshall said, adding that he caught five of six balls head-to-head against the cornerback Wednesday.
"And the other one, I just dropped the ball," he added with a smile.
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August 13, 2008
2:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
Jones is no Champ and never will be but Marshall could be as good as T.O. if he can keep out of trouble.
August 13, 2008
2:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
kerrdawg writes:
Pacman forget to mention that T.O. drops 10 times more passes than Marshall too. Didn't T.O. lead the league in drops the past couple seasons?
August 13, 2008
3 p.m.
Suggest removal
RightDownTheMiddle writes:
Yeah well Pacman ain't no Champ. He's a thuga$$ gangsta with the IQ of a 3rd grader. If anything, TO needs to watch his back as hanging around with Pacman tends to get one shot....
August 13, 2008
3:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
SE7EN writes:
Cutler's response was brilliant.
Jones forgot to mention that Marshall is nowhere near T.O. when it comes to throwing QB's under the bus.
August 13, 2008
3:13 p.m.
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jlsportsfreak writes:
Yes because TO does such a great job of avoiding trouble himself.
August 13, 2008
3:17 p.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
Adam Ms. Pac-Man Jones is NO CHAMP BAILEY.
August 13, 2008
3:50 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Idiot jones is not an authority; what he has to say means nothing.
Marshall, if he stays healthy and out of trouble will be as good a WR as TO (maybe better through his career) and will be a better person too.
August 13, 2008
4:26 p.m.
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Boarder22 writes:
Ha, score one to Cutler....
August 13, 2008
5:06 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Marshall doesn't have a "chip" on his shoulder and he's not "me, me, me", like TO is. Once Marshall shows he's grown as a person and demonstrates good judgment he will see his career soar because he won't have distractions. He'll be on top of his game. Oh, and he caught more passes then TO AND Randy Moss, last year, for that matter. Jones is, in my opinion, a man who shouldn't be allowed back in the NFL. He left a bouncer/family man paralyzed because of the trouble he instigated in my city of Las Vegas. He pulled the same stunt, a few months later, in Atlanta, GA. He should be sharing a cell with his idiot friend in crime, Michael Vick. All that talent, but the common sense that God gave a goose.
August 13, 2008
5:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Man writes:
Um Dave,
Marshall caught more passes than TO and Moss. Good point except for the fact that both of those receivers scored 2 and 3 times as many touchdowns. Last time I checked putting points on the board was a little more important than how many catches you have. Let see Marshall have at least a few more good years before we put him into the same class as TO and Moss.
August 13, 2008
6:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
Um, The_Man, if you read my write up, you would not see ANYWHERE in there that I said Marshall was "better" then TO. I did however make the observation that he caught more passes and if he gets the distractions out of his life then he will be that much better for it. One person (like Marshall and TO) do not make a Superbowl team. Yes, TO scored more touchdowns, but we also don't use Marshall in the same manner as Dallas uses TO when it comes to scoring. We use Marshall for the longer passes, not goal line as much. But regardless of how and when they are utilized, they don't guarantee squat. Did Dallas go to the Superbowl? No. Playoffs, yes, Superbowl, no. Score as many touchdowns as you want, if your Defense can't keep the other team from scoring, it means diddly. That was a big problem with us last year. Point is, you read something into my response that wasn't said or implied. Marshall has potential to be great, maybe greater then TO, maybe not. But only time will tell us that.
August 13, 2008
6:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
zippydapinhead writes:
Doubt Marshall has that many catches this year with a three game suspension for his nine DUIs. He can be good, but he isn't yet. One season don't mean nothing.
August 13, 2008
6:25 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
zippydapinhead, what 9 DUI's?????????? Get your facts straight and stop exaggerating.
August 13, 2008
8:08 p.m.
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pete10000ft writes:
marshall will never catch as many T.O. as long as Cutler is throwing. Neither player seems hugnry enough.
I do hate T.O though..
Broncos go 9-7.
August 13, 2008
8:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Broncody writes:
In my oppinion you can't be much more of a "baby" than Owens already is. So I don't like the nickname. When all is said and done all I want out of Marshall is a competitive spirit and to pay attention to every single word of Rod Smith's mouth. If he does that he will be considered one of the best receivers to play the game becuase he has the physical ability. Rod do us proud and teach this young fellow how to be a man. In Rod We Trust. Amen.
August 13, 2008
8:27 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
pete10000ft, your response about Cutler was idiotic. I think your hands must have trouble typing through those Raiders gloves because I don't think any Bronco fan would type it. Plus, well, you must not be watching the same games that we watched. Cutler is a very good QB and your football knowledge is soooo astounding....
August 13, 2008
9:01 p.m.
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ColdShot writes:
TO is the posterchild for snot nosed me me me punk pro athletes!
He is and always has been a parasite in the national Football league! He is right at home with Jerry Jones! Both parasites on the NFL!
Brandon Marshal needs to grow up and prove himself on the football field!
August 13, 2008
9:31 p.m.
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The_Man writes:
Dave,
Your hilarious. Why on earth would the Broncos not want to use Marshall with his size in the red zone. He did not have more long pass receptions than TO. Maybe you should get your facts straight and quit getting butt hurt when someone disagrees with your opinions.
August 14, 2008
7:46 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
The_Man, such an idiot response. People write in because they discuss, and oh yeah, disagree. If I don't agree with someone I will let it be known. Get a clue and get over it.
August 14, 2008
8:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
pete10000ft writes:
Dynamicdave, what has Cutler done to make him so great?
I stand by my prediction: 9-7. Just good enough for Shannahan to con us into thinking that next year will be different.
The guy won 2 superbowls 10 years ago with a QB and team that even you, Dynamicdave, could've coached to a SB win. What's he done since?
I'd love to see Cutler do well too but I don't think Shanny has the touch with QB's that he has with RB's
Why do we Denver fans fail to see the reality of the situation?
same thing w/ the nuggets, Avs and Rox. No accountability= sustained mediocrity
Go Broncos
August 14, 2008
9:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
frosty writes:
Dynamic Dave, that was an insult to geese everywhere!!
August 14, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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Gradishar53 writes:
pete10000ft writes: I'd love to see Cutler do well too but I don't think Shanny has the touch with QB's that he has with RB's
Of all the comments I have read on boards, this has to be the most ridiculous. Check out and compare Elway's stats when Shanny was Offensive Coordinator for the Broncos and when Shanny was exciled by Reeves. Check out Elway's stats during his prime under Reeves and Phillips and compare them to his twilight stats under Shanny as head coach. Since 1970, only 4 coach/quarterback combos have a higher winning percentage (50 game minimum) than Shanny and Jake the Flake (who had a losing record under all of his other coaches combined). Don't forget, he coached Griese to Pro Bowl status. As long as Cutler can keep the Diabetes in check and avoid injuries, he will excel with Shanny as his coach and be in the Pro Bowl by 2010. Bookmark this post.
August 14, 2008
6 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
bhaney01, I can only say this, I see your point, to a degree. But I also believe people can change and be better. Some, though, like Jones, who I feel is responsible for the bouncer being paralyzed, in Las Vegas, hasn't shown ANY remorse or responsibility for what happened. They deserve to be punished but sometimes the legal system fails us and the idiots still walk the earth as free men. Very sad. But Marshall, I reserve full judgement because I'm sure it was a two way relationship with his "gold-digging" girlfriend. I also gathered that she had quite the temper. Should Marshall have been smarter then her and get out of it before it got to this stage? Of course, but remember, how many guys have gone through bad relationships and rather then learn from their mistakes, instead, jump right back into the fire? You know, "Fooled me once, shame on you. Fooled me twice, shame on me". His DUI was bad judgement and a hard lesson to learn but I say there is hope for Marshall. Jones? He is pathetic. He is in a huge state of denial. He deserves no respect since he obviously shows none.
August 14, 2008
6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Man writes:
I am enjoying Dynamicdave's infant comments.
August 14, 2008
7:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
The_Man, your stupid remarks explains everything I need to know about you. If your IQ were two points lower, you would be a tree. You're only "The_Man", behind the safety of your computer. So do us all a favor. go back to Oakland where you belong. You're a real piece of work.
August 14, 2008
7:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
Gradishar53, nice write up. I said it before, Shanahan brings the best out of QB's. Plummer did better with us then the Cardinals, but still couldn't get it done at "crunch time". Cutler will have a very good year, barring injury.
August 14, 2008
8:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Man writes:
Dynamicdave,
Your an idiot. I am a Broncos fan. Not a Raider fan. I can see by your comments and consistent badmouthing of other people on this thread that you are nothing more than a little hermit spilling out his/her/its hate venom towards everyone. Your words aren't so tough hiding behind your keyboard either, I am surprised you can even type, I guess first graders are getting smarter by the day.
August 14, 2008
9:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
The_Man, nah, you're a closet Raiders fan. Also, you can stop stalking my posts like the "Little_Man" you are. You are pathetic.
August 14, 2008
9:10 p.m.
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The_Man writes:
dynamicdave
There is that infant mind of your working again. No raider blood over here.
August 14, 2008
10:16 p.m.
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Spider writes:
Well my whole take on this thread is that anyone who doesn't think that Cutler and Marshall have heart and extraordinary talent and anyone who doesn't think that Shanny knows how to mold QB's is either a tad bit daffy or has fader raider blood flowing through their veins.
August 15, 2008
3:40 p.m.
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Gradishar53 writes:
Hi Spider
Just letting the stats speak for themselves. Shanny is far from perfect, but I've never seen anybody do more, with the QB talent they have, than Shanny. Besides the above, look outside the Broncos to when he mentored Steve Young (in danger of losing his job to Bono, he went on to win the MVP under Shanny).
Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Yo...(football_player) and scan down to 1992. "Many credit Young's turnaround to the arrival of then 49ers Offensive Coordinator Mike Shanahan, who mentored Young just as he did John Elway in the years before. "