C-R-E-A-M ….. Cash Rules Everything Around Me ……………..

I’ll say this for the Denver Broncos , their off-season and preseason incidents. It’s been thoroughly entertaining and given the fans there in Denver far more excitement. Than they’ve witnessed on the field , as to their competitiveness over the last two years. The NFL and its franchises has a venerable way of keeping its fans interested in the sport year round. Be it the fact , that it now has its own network (NFL Network), which gives it even greater visibility. And also from the mere fact that its very own coverage is far superior to that of the broadcast networks and cable outlets that are pitted against it , in terms of the coverage.

Broncos' wide receiver Brandon Marshall seen here at the team's training facility in Englewood , Co,. The player was today suspended by the team for an as yet to be determined period. This may well lead to player being traded as has been his want for much of the off and preseason. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Zabulowiski .............

That being said the episodes that’ve unfolded as to the off-season and preseason concerning the Broncos have made for great soap opera. The departure of Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears and the fact that Broncos’ coach, Josh McDaniels made his presence felt, with his actions. The fact that those actions were very much in the vein of a tornado sweeping through a rural community laying waste everywhere. The destruction and its aftermath are now easily explainable. He got his wish , as he now has all that he wants. Never-mind the fact that by appearance alone, the team may well now be worse off than it was before the departure of Cutler. I can hardly envision that the addition of Kyle Orton and with Chris Simms as his backup , that this Broncos’ team will send quakes and shivers down the spines of the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers or indeed the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West . But such are the vagaries of the NFL , that when there’s no drama or intrigue within its midst. The fans’ attention is drawn elsewhere as they may well feel that it is becoming somewhat tedious and monotonous.

Broncos' starting quarterback Kyle Orton seen here playing against the Seattle Seahawks in a preseason game played at Qwest Field Seattle , Washington. The Seahawks would go on to defeat the Broncos 27-13 . picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Otto Greule Jr. ...............................

McDaniels is now faced with the task of trying to bring back the glory days of John Elway and Terrell Davis . When the franchise reigned supreme over the NFL with its back to back Superbowl triumphs. The fans long for it and yearn for it with a zeal that borders on being ravenous. They’ve been starved of that sort of success for over a decade. Whether or not McDaniels is the man to lead the franchise out of their rut remains to be seen. The fact of the matter is , he’s off to a very tenuous start. And to top it all , he’s had the unique distinction of running a Pro bowl class quarterback out of town. Albeit, that the lines of communication between the two bordered on being like watching two young kindergarten boys having a fight in a sandbox. Neither was able to land a meaningful punch on one another. However, it led to the team owner, Pat Bowlem , having to intervene and making somewhat of a rash decision.

Chris Simms backup quarterback of the Broncos hands the ball off to running back Darrius Walker in the game against the Seahawks . picture appears courtesty of ap/photo/ Elaine Thompson ..........................

And if you thought the craziness had been abated. Then look no further than what’s said to be happening within the Broncos’ preseason . Wide receiver , Brandon Marshall , now appears to be in McDaniels’ doghouse . The player’s own off-season turmoil we thought was over. Considering that he’s been in trouble with law enforcement on numerous occasions as to his behavior. Several assault complaints have been filed against the player over the last 18 months . And seemingly, the hierarchy of the NFL was nowhere to be seen . But that asides , it has been the player’s constant whining as to the fact that he feels disrespected and the franchise’s failure to acquiesce to his demands for a trade. It makes the situation within the organization unpalatable for its fans. But then again what’s new ? It’s not as if this wasn’t the norm for any player within the NFL who feels that they’re due in one form or another when it comes to their own perceived self importance . There’s no I in team but when it comes to playing as part of a team. Then ” it’s all about me ” as the saying goes. And so , we’re led to believe that this is merely about Marshall wanting some respect as he sees it. Pardon me , for not understanding his position. But what have you done for the Broncos lately ?

Jim Mora Jr (left) of the Seattle Seahawks greets his opposite number Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos after the game. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 27-13 in the game played at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wa,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Elaine Thompson ..........................

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports and AP:

Denver Broncos suspend receiver Brandon Marshall

Englewood , Colo, (AP) Pro bowl receiver Brandon Marshall openly unhappy with the Denver Broncos , was suspended by the team Friday for unspecified “detrimental” conduct. The club did not say in its 15 word statement how long the suspension would last.

Marshall has asked for a new contract or trade and has acknowledged that he hasn’t learned new coach Josh McDaniels’ playbook. He was held out of last Sunday’s preseason game at Seattle.

During Wednesday’s warmups, Marshall walked while the rest of the team ran. He punted the ball away instead of handing it to a ball boy and swatted a pass thrown to him. His actions were caught on video and broadcast by KMGH-TV.

Marshall told ESPN on Thursday that he wasn’t trying to force a trade through insubordination but frustration got the best of him.

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It’s strange to hear the opinions of former NFL players who state what a joy is to play the game and be around teammates that are equally like minded when it comes to achieving the same goal. Funnily enough, you’ll never hear one actually come out and assert that there’s never any turmoil within the locker room. They’d have you believe that within their world there’s always a camaraderie there. I’ve always maintained that if you want to see true camarderie then you won’t see it in its purest form on the field of competitive play. The only time one will ever see it is through the eyes of a combat soldier. There and only then would you actually see and know what true camaraderie is all about ! And having served in the military and been in a combat arena . I know of what I speak. When your life is on the line you can only count on that of those who are at your very side at the moment when everything is heightened and danger is within your midst. Not so , for a bunch of prissy , hissy-fit throwing bunch of overpaid primadonna athletes !

One can opine as to what may well lie ahead for the Broncos this season. But with there now being far more action happening off the field than anything productive having been yet produced on it. You can only but wonder whether or not McDaniels can live up to the hype of offensive genius and enfant-terrible , who cut his teeth with the New England Patriots , under the auspices of their coach, Bill Belichick.

It’s been one thing to reek havoc just as you start your first managerial tenure. But it’s certainly another when you’ve now got to quieten down the quells of mutiny and in-order within an organization that in part you created to begin with. That being said, the apparent relationship between McDaniels and Marhsall though not yet dead. It may well have been irretrievably broken at this juncture. With the player now having been suspended for a yet to be determined period. It’ll be interesting to see the lines of communication being made and how it is all being demarcated.

McDaniels can ill afford to go through another tumultuous situation at this juncture. And at the same time, Brandon Marshall for all of his apparent abilities. He’s now making himself something of a pariah within the NFL. His perceived talent is one thing , but it has been his off the field baggage and tendency to be just about himself that may well scare some teams off when it comes to acquiring the player. Marshall would have you believe that from the outset it has never been about the money. But in actuality he’s done very little to persuade us otherwise.

It’s always been about the C-R-E-A-M …… ” Cash Rules Everything Around Me .” As if anything else ever really mattered !

McDaniels May Have The Credentials, But He Has Lots To Prove

Hot-shot young coaching prospects are the way NFL owners and general mangers are going. Gone are the days when coaches who have been in the business for 20 years and gradually worked their way up before becoming a head coach. While the practice has worked in some situations (Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who become the youngest coach to ever win a Super Bowl last season), there have some examples of failure (Lane Kiffin with the Oakland Raiders).

The latest team to experiment with a young coach is the Denver Broncos, who hired 33-year-old Josh McDaniels, a former offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots. Denver previously had Mike Shanahan as its head coach for 13 years before firing him after a disappointing end to the 2008 season. Shanahan was one of the best coaches in the league, an offensive guru who won two Super Bowls during his time with the team. Owner Pat Bowlen felt that a change was needed after the Broncos collapsed and lost their final three games of the season, blowing their division lead to the San Diego Chargers.

McDaniels was the man handed the job, to the surprise of many. During his time with the Patriots, McDaniels spent just three seasons as offensive coordinator, but all three of those seasons were special, most notably the 2007 season in which the Patriots went 16-0 during the regular season and broke multiple single-season offensive records. His best job, however, may have come in 2008, when quarterback Tom Brady went down with a torn ACL in the first game of the season. Most pundits wrote the Patriots off at that point, figuring there was no way the team could contend without Brady at the helm. McDaniels and head coach Bill Belichick had a plan, which was to play and succeed with backup Matt Cassel, who had not even started a game since high school. And succeed they did. The Patriots went on to finish the season 11-5, falling just short of making the playoffs. Off of the success the Patriots had without Brady, McDaniels become much of a commodity than expected, and Bowlen chose him to lead the Broncos franchise back to having winning seasons.

McDaniels is young, but he already compiled the résumé of someone who deserves a shot at being a head coach in the NFL. Especially considering that he spent seven years in New England learning under Belichick, arguably the best coach in the league, it made sense for Denver to take a chance. But just because McDaniels learned from a great organization doesn’t mean he’s not going to make mistakes. And that is the risk teams take by hiring young coaches.

Cassel may have ascended McDaniels all the way to being a head coach, but that ultimately to McDaniels’ first quibble as head coach of the Broncos. He like Cassel so much that he attempted to swing a trade to bring Cassel to Denver, which then-Broncos quarterback, Jay Cutler didn’t take kindly to. Cutler had been the man in Denver ever since he was drafted 11^th overall in 2006. Shanahan had tabbed Cutler as the team’s quarterback of the future, the player who was finally going to live up to the John Elway-level expectations fans in the Mile High city have. Cutler wasn’t happy that McDaniels was hired in the first place, and attempting to trade for Cassel only made Cutler angrier. Eventually, Cutler requested a trade, which the Broncos granted. He was traded to the Chicago Bears – along with a fifth-round pick – for fellow quarterback Kyle Orton, first-round draft picks in 2009 and 2010, as well as a third-round pick in 2009. Cutler is a top-10 quarterback in this league, and trading away a young franchise quarterback is virtually unheard of in the NFL.

McDaniels will have to prove to everyone around the NFL that he didn’t make a mistake in trading away Cutler, and that starts with developing Orton into more than a serviceable quarterback. Orton has always been solid – somewhat of a game manager who rarely makes mistakes – but the Broncos are going to need more than that. Cutler has arguably the best arm in football, as he is able to make all the throws imaginable. Nothing is off-limits for Cutler, and that gives offensive coordinators the ability to greatly expand the playbook. Orton, on the other hand, doesn’t have the strongest arm but is accurate, something Cutler struggled with at times. McDaniels believes Orton will do a good job of grasping the playbook, something that he believed Cutler wouldn’t have an easy time with. No matter what McDaniels says about Orton, football logic still says that Cutler is and always will be the better quarterback. McDaniels is going to have a chance in 2009 to immediately show just how good of a coach he is. If Orton plays well and the Broncos succeed, McDaniels will look like a genius. But if Orton fails, McDaniels will be on thin ice with Denver’s fan base. The Orton era hasn’t gotten off to a good start, as he threw three interceptions in the team’s preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

McDaniels didn’t get off to a good start in handling disgruntled players, but he has another chance with Brandon Marshall, the team’s star wide receiver. Marshall, one of the most talented receivers in the game, wants a new contract. His numbers say that he clearly deserves a dramatic pay raise, but his off-the-field actions complicate the situations. Marshall has had various domestic violence disputes, one of which got him suspended for the first game of the season in 2008. And just last week, Marshall was found not guilty on misdemeanor battery charges. He and his agent, Kennard McGuire, have asked for a trade if no contract extension can be worked out, but McDaniels and the Broncos have refused to comply with either request. Marshall has refused to practice in the meantime, claiming he is still suffering pain due to offseason hip surgery. Marshall is clearly unhappy and reportedly has “trust issues” with the organization. McDaniels likely isn’t helping matters, either, as he is often vague in his responses to the media and refuses to even begin to broach the subject of a contract extension for Marshall. McDaniels must prove that he knows what is doing, because if he trades Marshall after trading away Cutler, it will appear that he has no concept of how to run a football team.

The easiest way to erase the memories of a tumultuous offseason will be to win games, but that will be no easy task for a team with a shaky defense, running game and now passing game as well. McDaniels will have to prove himself right away.

Ain’t Too Proud To Beg ……

Well the NFL training camps are almost upon us. And the expectations for some are higher than for others. In the case of the Detroit Lions , it’s all about redeeming themselves after last season’s disastrous escapade during the regular season.

Detroit Lions' head coach Jim Schwartz (center) alongside General Martin Mayhew (left) and Team President Tom Lewand (right). picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Carlos Osorio ...............

And after going (0-16) within the NFC North. One can allude to the fact that for the franchise now , the only way is up. And it has to be said that with the upheaval within the coaching regime, after the abrupt firing of Rod Marinelli . A fresh pair of eyes and mindset needs to be brought to the team. Newly established Head Coach , Jim Schwartz and General Manager Martin Mayhew have set about revamping the team’s roster and coaching staff.

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson seen here in full stride for the Lions. The players is viewed as the team's most ominous and potent offensive threat. And he's viewed as a great complement to the weapons that quarterback , Matthew Stafford will have in his arsenal. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Mike Schiff ......................

And in the draft they went about expeditiously and judiciously supplementing the roster with the players they best felt would be able to contribute and bring back the luster to the franchise. To state that the Lions’ franchise has been in the doldrums for the last decade. It’s not only stating the obvious but it also has signified almost how irrelevant the Lions had become in the NFL. Merely stating that on Thanksgiving Day , a Lions’ game was on television. It all but brought about tears to the most ardent of NFL fans. Especially those Lions’ fans who had to be subjected to their sheer ineptitude of their displays on the field.

Daunte Culpepper of the Detroit Lions. The veteran players is being viewed as Matthew Stafford's backup. However, there is the opinion that Culpepper will initially be the starter at the beginning of the regular season , in order that Stafford can get himself acclimatized. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Chris Nelson ..................

Why it is that the custom of having the Lions play a home game on Thanksgiving Day in-front of a network audience , has always been beyond my comprehension. Were it not for the fact that the hierarchy of the NFL still believes in customs , tradition and its importance to the game. I would’ve thought that they would’ve done away with the Lions being part of this customary scheduling. It’s bad enough having to digest the Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner and the numerous alcoholic beverages that one consumes on the day. Without then having to subject one’s self of the inane privilege of then having to watch the Lions play. I’m thick skinned but certainly not that much !

Mark Sanchez (left) and Matthew Stafford at the NFL Scouting combine. Both players were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Sanchez was taken by the New York Jets of the AFC East division. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Charles Mallet

In the always competitive NFC North the Lions will have to pick wits with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers . And being welcomed into the fold of the division, will be Jay Cutler . Who’ll be the starting quarterback the Bears , having been traded to the team from the Denver Broncos . And it’s also envisioned that we’ll see the returning prodigal Brett Favre , who’ll be joining the Vikings. Once he’s made a final decision as to his status. Are we there yet, Brett ?

For the Detroit Lions the question one everyone’s lips is … how quickly will their number one draft pick, quarterback, Matthew Stafford acclimatize himself to the rigors and play of the National Football League ? Stafford, having been taken as the number one overall pick has the undue burden of expectation riding on his shoulders as to the fate of the franchise this upcoming season.

Defensively, last season we know that Lions were atrocious. And watching the team play , you’d have been under the impression that Schwartz’s predecessor Rod Marinelli knew nothing about the art of defense when it cames to the NFL . He cut his teeth in that bastion of defensive knowledge , under the tutelage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ , Monte Kiffin . Unfortunately, however , having the knowledge is one thing but to impart on players who can actually comprehend it is another. And such was the malais that the team found itself in.

On the offensive side of things, it certainly wasn’t that much better. And one of few bright spots on the team was their wide receiver Calvin Johnson . An athletic and gifted player, Johnson convinced many that he is the future of this franchise, given the right signal-caller to make the plays. And it’s viewed that whilst the veteran Daunte Culpepper is there to tutor the freshman , Stafford. It may well be Culpepper who’ll provide the initial plays at the start of the regular season . In order that Stafford can acclimatize himself to the nuances of the game. Though Schwartz hasn’t stated that the starting quarterback position is up for grabs. It could well be viewed that Culpepper is also being asked to audition for the position. Stafford for his part has let it be known that he’s ready , willing and able to lead this team with authority.

Lions' running back Kevin Smith evades the tackle of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Kevin Carter in a game played Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Christian Petersen ........................

The Detroit Lions’ fans could be in for a treat this season. And if they’re able to get some semblance of teamwork and cohesion during training camp and the preseason schedule of games. Then there’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to be able to acquit themselves well, over the course of the regular season. But much of that’ll be predicated upon the mindset of this team and whether or not the message that Schwartz is imparting to the players will be acknowledged and acted upon.
If it is ,then so be it. If not, then the malaise of last season could well be revisited. And the Detroit Lions’ fans, I for one feel , will not at all be enamored with that particular scenario arising once again.

One can well remember the bravado and gumption of Matt Millen as the franchise’s GM prior to Martin Mayhew. His gusto in proclaiming that he was here to stay and to turn the franchise around . Well it was only matched by the sheer ineptitude shown under his auspices with regard to the personnel decisions made. It set back the franchise at least five years. But even more so, Millen wasn’t willing to accept that he’d failed the fans , the franchise and the Ford family as the owners of this once venerable franchise.
But then again the Ford family aren’t without blame , as they were naive enough to believe that Millen would be the ultimate savior of the franchise to begin with.

Matt Millen former GM of the Detroit Lions and then owner William Clay Ford Sr. Under Millen' reign the team posted an abysmal 31-84 record during his 8 year tenure as the team's GM. He would be fired by the Ford family at the culimation of a horrendous 2008 season where the team went 0-16 during regular NFL 16 game schedule . A first for the NFL under its present schedule. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Paul Stanton ............................

We’ve seen how the Fords have handled the family business . And it has to be said that the misfortunes there, seemed to found their way within the Detroit Lions’ franchise. Naivete’ and audacity is one thing but how can one explain their sheer stupidity to begin with ? The credentials that Millen brought to the table, was nothing more than being a passable NFL player in his pime and an above average analyst on television. Beyond that there just wasn’t much there to begin with !

What’s Not To Like If Your Name Happens To Be Mike Shanahan ?

So you’ve been fired by the team that you guided to two successive Superbowl wins. You’re still highly respected amongst your peers. Albeit that in some circles , tv pundits and some of the Denver Broncos’ fans you’re thought of as being past your prime.

Mike Shanahan , now the former coach of the Denver Broncos. Shanahan had a long and distinguished career with the team guiding them to two successive Superbowl (XXXII & XXXIII) wins in 1997 and 1998. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Richard Matthews ...........

Well if your name happens to be Mike Shanahan , then you’ve to be smiling a like a Cheshire cat that’s been given several bowls of milk. Having been fired by Broncos’ owner Pat Bowlen , from a position that’d made you one of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. You can now can sit back knowing that you’re still owed $14million , for the remaining two years left on your original contract.

Isn’t it funny how the business template is set when it comes to the NFL ? Coaches are given guaranteed contracts but yet the players are basically paid according to incentives. And about the only thing guaranteed for them is their signing bonus . One can only surmise even in failure you’re still rewarded handsomely. Not unlike the corporate executives on Wall St and within many of the large financial institutions that’ve almost brought the country to the brink of an economic disaster. And low and behold , we have the federal goverenment now giving them an assist. Meanwhile , the ordinary citizen will be lucky if he or she actually knows whether or not they’ll be able to make their next mortgage payment on time.

Pat Bowlen the owner of the Denver Broncos. picture appears courtesy of afp/ photo/ Mithchell Hines ..................

For the Denver Broncos the off-season was filled not only with tension but also a great deal of comedic value. Especially in light of the way Shanahan’s succcessor, Josh McDaniels handled his initial foray into coaching with the Broncos. He ran the wrath of the teams’ then quarterback , Jay Cutler . And the aftermath of that encounter left everyone within the Broncos’ organization and outside it completely perplexed by the inanity and infantile behavior of both McDaniels and the young quarterback.

Newly acquired Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler is seen here in attendance in his first formal public announcement that he's now a Chicago Bear. Inset also is Bears' GM Jerry Angelo in the background. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jim Prisching ..........

With the ensuing inaction by both Cutler and McDaniels, both being unwilling to give ground on what they may well have each believe to be a power struggle for dominance . It was felt that the club’s owner Pat Bowlen would intervene and bring calm to the tension within. Nothing could remain further from the truth , as the owner remained as silent as a docile church mouse. In the end the player’s demands to be traded were met as the relationship between he and the coach were irretrievably broken. Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Kyle Orton , cumatively for two fist round picks and a third round pick. Non-sensical as this trade seemed on paper, in terms of the Broncos’ perspective on Cutler’s perceived value. Someone got the short end of the stick on this trade. However, both teams seem to have been happy with the end result.

Denver Broncos' head coach is seen here after the formal announcement has been that he's the team's new head coach. picture appears courtesy of reuters/ Nathan W. Armes .....................

With Culter now said to be happy in his new environment and new teammates. It’s viewed that the Bears’ll be a team to be followed as they set out to prove their dominance in the NFC North. As for the Broncos and Kyle Orton , he now has the privilege of trying to beat out Chris Simms for the starter’s job on the team. No that wasn’t a misprint that you read , as it is indeed Chris Simms on the roster of the Denver Broncos.

As for Shanahan, he could have his pick of positions, should one become available. But more likely than not he’ll remain on the sidelines. Perhaps working in the broadcast booth , providing his insight and analysis on NFL games. Much like , Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher , two other coaches who remain seated on the sidelines. They can sit and wait for that call from a team looking to make a change at the top of their coaching ladder. Shanahan’s got fourteeen million reasons why he needn’t really worry at present. But if anything as a lifelong disciplined coach, he yearns for being back on the coaching sidelines. Chances are however , is that he’ll sit out this year and next. But who really knows ?

Broncos' quarterback Kyle Orton is seen here with the team's head coach Josh McDaniels at the Broncos' indoor training facility in Englewood , Colorado. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ David Zabulowski ...........................

With a number of coaches this season said to be in tenuous positions as far as their overall job security is concerned. Shanahan’s number and that of Gruden’s and Cowher’s have got to be on speed-dial of a number of GM’s around the league. The guess is, whose number will be dialed first ?

Marshall Deserves a New Contract

This offseason has been a tumultuous one for the Denver Broncos. The firing of long-time head coach Mike Shanahan was surprising considering the Broncos missed the playoffs by just one game and seemed to have a bright future.  One player clearly unhappy with the move was QB Jay Cutler, who voiced his displeasure with the changes the organization had made. That fiasco led team owner Pat Bowlen to trade Cutler to the Chicago Bears. At that point, it seemed that the drama was over and new head coach Josh McDaniels could go ahead with installing his program in Denver. As college football analyst Lee Corso would say, “not so fast.”

A few weeks ago, star WR Brandon Marshall began looking for a new contract. He is nearing the end of his rookie deal, and he wants more money.  In fact, he wants one so bad that he is willing to be traded in order to receive one. Earlier this week, he had a meeting with Bowlen and thereafter declared on his website that Bowlen had agreed to trade him. But if the Broncos are even thinking about trading Marshall, something is wrong with the organization.

There’s no denying that Marshall has had legal issues in the past, most notably domestic violence charges. These problems led to a one-game suspension last season, and with another case set to be settled in August, he could still face more punishment from the league office. His problems have been well chronicled, but he has now said that his life is turning around, as he is getting engaged to be married.

Despite all of the off-the-field issues, Marshall has developed into one of the best WRs in the game. Over the past two seasons, Marshall has made 206 receptions for 2,590 yards. Those are remarkable numbers, especially for someone who is so young. At just 25 years old, Marshall is still developing, and he has the potential to be the best WR in the game. His 6-foot-4, 230 pound frame is perfect for a No.1 WR. His combination of size and speed is excellent, and he uses his height well when going up to grab the football. All of those characteristics make it seem obvious that he should receive a new contract.

Currently, Marshall makes under $3 million, which means that he is grossly underpaid. Larry Fitzgerald, arguably the best WR in the league, makes $10 million a year. Based on his production, Marshall deserves something very similar. So far, the Broncos have not, by any accounts, moved towards negotiating a contract for Marshall. This decision has more to do with McDaniels than Bowlen.

McDaniels came over from New England, a franchise that is all about the team-first mentality. Members of the Patriots rarely gripe about contracts publicly, because their first concern is winning football games. McDaniels has been molded to believe that players should not complain about contracts; rather they should internally discuss the situation with the organization’s front-office. It’s the Bill Belichick way, and it is how McDaniels will operate as a head coach.