Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, openly unhappy with the Denver Broncos, was suspended by the team for the rest of the preseason for what coach Josh McDaniels called “detrimental’’ conduct.
Marshall, who has brooded since demanding a trade and asking for a new contract, was informed of the suspension by McDaniels yesterday. The banishment runs through Sept. 5.
“We tried to handle this situation with Brandon as privately and professionally as we could throughout the entire process with he and his agent, Kennard McGuire,’’ McDaniels said. “This morning, we made the decision as an organization to go ahead and suspend Brandon. We’ll look forward to having him back on Sept. 6 as we begin our preparations for Cincinnati’’ in a Sept. 13 opener.
McDaniels did not single out a specific episode but said the suspension resulted from a series of incidents, though some boorish antics during the team’s practice Wednesday - after he had been warned about such conduct that very morning - seemed to be the final straw for the coach.
“His actions didn’t really change after that warning. That leads us to today,’’ McDaniels said.
During pre-practice warmups Wednesday, Marshall walked while the rest of the team ran. He punted a 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 Thursday night he wasn’t trying to force a trade through insubordination but that frustration got the best of him.
Tight end Daniel Graham was concerned enough about Marshall’s behavior at practice that the former Patriot said he talked to him about it several times. “We’ve had a few conversations and Brandon, he’s running his own ship,’’ Graham said. “He’s doing what he feels is best for him.’’
For all the tension and disagreement between the receiver and his coach and organization, McDaniels said he hasn’t given up on the notion that the sides can work things out.
“I’m not sure necessarily if I think it will or I think it won’t [work out],’’ McDaniels said. “I’m just hopeful that it will, because obviously he’s a talented football player.’’
