Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Broncos report: Marshall's celebrations likely to lack controversy

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 13, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.

Text size  

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Brandon Marshall starts to pull out a black-and-white glove during the Browns game.

Brandon Marshall starts to pull out a black-and-white glove during the Browns game.

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, grappling with Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew earlier this season, is on the mend from a groin injury.

Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, grappling with Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew earlier this season, is on the mend from a groin injury.

Poll

Does bringing back Tatum Bell call into question the Broncos’ commitment to character?


Broncos quick links

Drew on the NFL
Drew Litton
Scores and statistics
Broncos inbox

Related Links

Related Stories

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

There likely will be no update of the "Dirty Bird" or any other headline-grabbing celebration Sunday in Atlanta for Brandon Marshall.

Marshall's attempted nod to the election of Barack Obama as president with a prop glove last week in Cleveland caused something of a national stir in the sports world.

But the Broncos receiver said Thursday his attempted theatrics were an aberration.

"I'm not a guy who sits at home trying to create different antics in the end zone," Marshall said, adding the ideas don't flow to him as readily as other high-profile receivers.

"That was just a special week. That's all that was. Usually when I get the ball, I'm celebrating with my teammates, throw the ball into the crowd or even jump into the crowd. Nah, I'm not thinking about anything else."

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan earlier this week took issue with Marshall's attempted demonstration with the black-and-white glove, which was meant to symbolize racial inclusion and national unity.

Shanahan was upset Marshall was putting himself in front of the team and potentially could have incurred a critical penalty with just over a minute remaining.

Receiver Brandon Stokley stopped Marshall from completing his on-field demonstration.

The story behind the glove emerged in a postgame news conference.

"I'm going to continue to be me and I'm never going to try and jeopardize my team," Marshall said.

"It's winning. I was caught up in the moment back then. But that's last week."

This week, Denver faces an Atlanta defense that broke up 15 passes Sunday against New Orleans and intercepted three.

But the Falcons also allowed six 20-yard-plus pass plays to Drew Brees and Co. The Broncos, meanwhile, scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and compiled 447 passing yards to beat the Browns, capped by Marshall's late scoring grab.

But Marshall had been held without a second-half catch until that reception. And early on, he and quarterback Jay Cutler were out of sync, though Marshall finished with six catches for 89 yards.

"It's been up and down and I have to be more consistent in the playbook and on the field," Marshall admitted. "That's what I'm trying to work on."

Surprise, surprise

After moving gingerly through warm-ups earlier this week, cornerback Champ Bailey was back in uniform Thursday and appeared more spry in the period open to the media.

He practiced in limited fashion, according to the official injury report.

"I'm not exactly where I want to be but I'm making great progress," Bailey said afterward, adding he doesn't know if he'll be available Sunday.

Bailey has missed the past two games because of a groin tear but said last week that, with aggressive treatment, he held out hope of coming back against the Falcons. Bailey grew up in Folkston, Ga., and has played in Atlanta only once in his 10 NFL seasons.

"That's home. It would mean everything," he said.

Shanahan said Bailey knows his limits and has pushed through games effectively before even while not at full strength.

"He heals so quickly, you never know," Shanahan said when asked about Bailey's potential availability. "And he doesn't need a lot of practice time. So it's a good sign."

Running back Selvin Young, also bothered by a groin problem, did not practice for the third time this week.

For Atlanta, kicker Jason Elam (left hip) sat out for a second straight day.

Front-runners

If the Broncos hope to beat Atlanta on Sunday, the first-quarter score could be telling. The Falcons have rolled to early leads all season, leading the NFL with 75 points in the first 15 minutes of games.

They scored on three of four possessions to jump on New Orleans on Sunday 17-6. Atlanta also has pitched first-quarter shutouts against Detroit, Kansas City and Chicago, combining for 41 points themselves in those games - all wins.

The Broncos defense hadn't allowed a touchdown in the first quarter all season until against the Browns, when Cleveland drove 59 yards, capped by Kellen Winslow's 5-yard scoring catch.

Miami ran back an interception for the only other opening-period touchdown against Denver.

But opponents have scored points on 11 of 17 first-quarter possessions, including 10 field goals. The Broncos have forced a punt only three times, with three takeaways.

Rise and shine

Seattle's loss in Miami on Sunday means so-called "West Coast teams" are 0-12 on trips to the Eastern time zone for early Sunday games this season.

The teams included in that group are Arizona (0-3), San Diego (0-2), San Francisco (0-1), Oakland (0-2) and Seattle (0-4).

Denver will give winning a shot in Atlanta on Sunday , when the game will begin at 11 a.m. MST.

"It doesn't matter if they want to play at 5 o'clock in the morning," linebacker Jamie Winborn said. "We have to suit up and be ready to play."

The Broncos also traveled to the Eastern time zone last week when they played at Cleveland. But it was for a night game, and on three days' rest.

"It is tough," Cutler said of the body-clock adjustment. "But it's the second half of the season and we don't have any time for excuses."

The Broncos still have games at New York and Carolina remaining.

On the mend

The Broncos' rookie class has produced several breakout performances and some complementary ones.

But one player whose name has been absent is defensive tackle Carlton Powell. The fifth-round pick out of Virginia Tech tore his Achilles' tendon during an offseason conditioning drill.

Powell rehabilitates daily and lifts weights at Dove Valley, watches practice and participates in meetings.

He's doing strengthening and stabilization exercises and might begin running in the next couple of weeks.

"I'm glad everybody's doing well. But knowing I could be . . . doing just as well is definitely a little bittersweet to me," Powell said.

Numbers game

17-1 combined home record for teams in the NFC South. New Orleans' 30-27 loss to Minnesota on Oct. 6 is the only blemish. Carolina has a 5-0 record at home. Tampa Bay and Atlanta are 4-0, New Orleans is 4-1. The New York Giants are the only other team to match Carolina's 5-0 home record.

Comments

  • November 13, 2008

    5:30 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    Mr. Marshall, I'm going to throw some names out there, see if you can identify with what they all have in common...heck, you might even know some of these guys.

    Steve Largent, Steve Watson, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Rod Smith, Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown.

    Answer...they all acted PROFESSIONAL went they scored a touchdown. You have a lot of talent. But save the circus acts for T.O. and Ocho Clowno. You're better than that!

  • November 13, 2008

    5:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    I'm glad to hear it Brandon.....
    Take your time, Champ. Don't aggravate the injury. Come back when you're ready.
    Although I don't wish injury on any player, I hope the injury to Elam, lingers enough to throw off his kicks....
    Stats on the "West Coast teams" means squat. People put too much stock into stats. Same with the home wins for the NFC South. My motto is, "On any given Sunday".
    GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • November 13, 2008

    8:02 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Rutabaga writes:

    Whoa... Holy smokeroonees... Brandon Marshall you been talkin' to Rod Smith, no doubt. He probably grabed you by the ear and yanked once he heard the foolishness you were up to in Cleveland. Everybody in the NFL had a good laugh when they heard what silliness you had in mind. Me too, but I'm not in the NFL, yet. But I laughed good like I was an NFL guy too. But I'm not, yet.

    Anyway, I just got to tell you that it is a good idea not to do more dumb stuff on the field. Leave that stuff to fans and soon to be players, like me. I got all sorts of stuff planned when the Broncos hire me as their new RB (thats code for running back for those who don't know about football... not you Brandon, you know that because you play for the Broncos already). When we're team mates I'll tell you about my gloves. Hint: they have more colors than yours. In San Diego I plan to do something to Philip Rivers with them. I hope he protects his nose...

  • November 13, 2008

    9:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    iggypuppet writes:

    The only reason that Shanahan had a problem with it is that Shanahan is a devoted Republican. Had McCain won and Marshall had come off the field with a cane or winked at the crowd and called himself a hockey mom, Shanahan would have laughed.

    Glad Marshall didn't cost the Broncos 15 yards, but acknowledging the significance of our first black president is certainly not something worthy of criticism. Every single NFL player should celebrate the fact that we have finally crossed the threshold of electing a person of color to be our leader.

    He certainly can't be any worse than the Ivy League wanna-be Texan who we have endured for the past 8 years!

  • November 13, 2008

    10:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FTR writes:

    Stat this Stat that! Who cares? I for one do not play (Fantasy Football ) I have a job! Stat's mean zero-zip to me. I must say these Broncos of mine or comming along just fine. Fox's Whilock putting Shanahan in the 10 worst coachs has not only pissed me off but I wonder if I could take his place. My company just cut 30% and I am lucky to have a job. I could write better then Woody or him and get paid three times what I make! Brondon was caught up in the moment! SO WHAT! This week we have Atlanta and we will be focused and with T-Bell back in the mix watch out!
    GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    FTR

  • November 14, 2008

    1:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    angryman1n writes:

    "I'm going to continue to be me and I'm never going to try and jeopardize my team," Marshall said.

    Two theories:
    1. He has multiple personalities. Anyone know if he's ever referred to himself in the 3rd person?
    2. He had an out of body experience. He was so enraptured that he couldn't control himself.

  • November 14, 2008

    1:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    angryman1n writes:

    3... He was cloned, and the swapped by the Enterprise to run a top secret mission for the Federation.

  • November 14, 2008

    9:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Angryman1n, my take on you.:
    1.) You have one personality, negative.
    2.) You've had an "out of mind" experience. You're so obnoxious you can never control yourself.
    3.) Nobody would want to clone you. One negative fool in the world is enough. I wish someone would beam you up, already.

  • November 14, 2008

    10:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    Brandon is a young man and continues to grow both personaly and professionaly. I see positive progress, even though I know he is still going to make some mistakes. Thanks to guidance from Rod Smith( Rod says they talk and are friends) I think he will continue to go in the right direction. Going to be a tough game in Atlanta, if we limit turnovers we should be in good shape for a win. Welcome back Tatum, take advantage of your second chance and work hard we need you. GO BRONCOS!!!!

  • November 14, 2008

    11:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blindrid writes:

    "The only reason that Shanahan had a problem with it is that Shanahan is a devoted Republican....Glad Marshall didn't cost the Broncos 15 yards, but acknowledging the significance of our first black president is certainly not something worthy of criticism. Every single NFL player should celebrate the fact that we have finally crossed the threshold of electing a person of color to be our leader"

    Give me a break, another Bronco fan that does not understand the game. Now, it was an asinine act of patriotism and significance???

    In football, do you really believe that they care about politics on the field? I think not. It was one of the more ignorant things to consider doing and it is becoming more and more "typical" Marshall - I look forward to the day he's no longer a local.

  • November 14, 2008

    12:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Colorado69 writes:

    Politics need to be kept off of the field, no matter who won the latest election. The Obama fans need to take their happiness and go to Washington, DC and help Obama. Coach Shannahan has the intelligence to not force his political opinions on his players, coaches, or fans. The Broncos are a football team, not a political party. Please stop expressing your ignorance to that fact.

  • November 14, 2008

    2:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Not_Alike94 writes:

    well colorado69 I know who you voted for!! Shannahan might have the intlleigence to not force his political beliefs on anyone but he needs to up his skills as a coach.
    I've been a bronco fan for more than most of my life and I've been hanging on because I dont' flip flop. But mama needs a new pair of shoes and I can't get it betting on the Broncos. :( Because I must accept him as the coach like you should accept the president I wait.

  • November 14, 2008

    6:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    davistothehall writes:

    people still say marshall is selfish blindrid your ignorant marshall is a team player and takes blame for his own mistakes i hope he never leaves the broncos he is a good person who takes blame for his mistakes like a man and your not marshall you cant say he didn't want be a patriot and what about shannon sharpe he did dumb stuff his whole career we still love him

  • November 14, 2008

    7:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Colorado69, I'm with you.
    Not_Alike94, ignorant response. Again, trying to mix politics with football. I quote, ":( Because I must accept him as the coach like you should accept the president I wait.", unquote. Two separate items and situations, completely. Learn the difference. That was a poor comparison. Running a football team is totally different then running a country. Get a clue.
    iggypuppet, are you serious? God, get a grip. You are so blinded in your political views, you are fabricating scenarios and "conspiracy theories". You should right fiction.

  • November 14, 2008

    7:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    davistothehall, I agree with you (just try using capital letters and a period, now and then, as I had to read it twice to put it together). Marshall messed up. His political views and choices are his and nobody else's. But there is a time and a place to voice his views. During a game after a crucial TD was not it. Stokley stopped him, Brandon realized it and we move on. But these political posters need to give it a rest. There's a different section of the RMN for that.