Brandon Marshall – What’s Past is Prologue!

So far in his young career Brandon Marshall has seen and done it all, save a Championship or a Post Season win. The 4th Round pick from the University of Central Florida has blossomed into an elite NFL Receiver. He stands 6′-5″ and weighs in at 230 pounds, much larger than the average Wide Out in the NFL. Right now however, the only thing bigger than Marshall is the questions of his future.

In his 2nd year in the NFL, Marshall had eclipsed the 100 catch mark and went well over 1000 yards receiving. In his 3rd season, he did it again and that’s when he realized he was worth more than the 4th Round contract that he entered into the league with. In his 4th, he once again caught over 100 balls and had over 1000 yards. Let’s take a step back and look at some of the issues that Brandon has had and perhaps some of the reasons that he has yet to find a team willing to give him a long term contract.

On June 17th, 2006 Authorities were called for an incident between Marshall and Rasheedah Watley whom Brandon had dated since high school. According to a police report, Marshall had slapped Watley and tossed her to the ground. Brandon claims that Watley punched him and scratched him in the chest. Watley waited 3 days before contacting police from her home in Atlanta and not immediately from Orlando where the dispute allegedly occurred. No charges were ever filed against Marshall or Watley.

On December 31st, 2006 Marshall and his cousin were allegedly involved in an altercation at a Denver Nightclub. Then Broncos Wide Receiver Javon Walker testified that he believed that altercation led to the drive by shooting and later death of Darrent Williams, the Broncos starting Cornerback.

On January 24th, 2007 Brandon’s father Frederick had an altercation outside of a Bowling Alley and authorities were called. Brandon’s father said that Marshall had pulled out a firearm and shot a bullet into the air while the two were arguing. Witnesses told police that they never saw a firearm nor did they hear gunshots. Marshall’s statement was that his father was asking for money and when he declined his father broke a bottle on Brandon’s car and then proceeded to try and run down Brandon with his vehicle. Brandon stated that his father told him he was going to try and ruin his career. No charges were filed by either party and the police did not continue with the investigation.

On March 21st, 2007 Police were again called in a dispute between Watley and Marshall. She claimed that he struck her with a closed fist multiple times and police noted a small bruise on her chin. Marshall had left the hotel and the police tried to convince Watley to press charges but she never did and no charges were filed.

On March 26th, 2007 Marshall was arrested in Douglas County, Colorado for false imprisonment when he and Watley had another altercation. She claimed that Marshall prevented her from leaving his home by blocking a Taxi cab with his Dodge Charger. Watley claimed that Brandon jumped out his car and punched the Cab window that Watley was in. The Cab driver substantiated her accounts of the evening. Later charges were dismissed after Marshall completed an anger management course.

On June 8th, 2007 Watley again contacted police after she had a knife wound in her thigh. Initially she told police that she had cut herself with a kitchen knife. Marshall was not present when the police arrived. Later that evening, Watley contacted the police again and his time told them that it was in fact Marshall that had caused that wound. Watley’s friend Kristeena Spivey said she tried to prevent Marshall from leaving but was unsuccessful, once again charges were never filed.

On June 30th, 2007 Atlanta authorities were contacted after Watley claimed that Marshall became angry at her for him missing a flight. She claims he choked her and punched her in the eye. Police noted some bruises and scratches and made Watley aware of how to file a restraining order, however no charges were filed.

On January 18th, 2008 Watley obtained a restraining order against Brandon with the order being he could not come within 200 yards of her. She later had her attorneys lift the restraining order.

On March 4th and 5th the Atlanta authorities were once again called the home of Brandon Marshall. In this instance Watley claimed that Marshall had choked and slapped her. Police noticed some blood on the hand of Marshall who claimed that he was stabbed by one of Watley’s sisters. Later during questioning Marshall changed his story to indicate that it was not by a knife but rather by broken glass. During the evening lat into the night, Marshall allegedly threw Watley’s belongings and clothing off the 20th story condo that they shared. Police instructed Watley to leave but she refused in fear that he would damage more of her belongings. Later that night Watley filed for her 2nd restraining order.

On August 5th, 2008 the NFL Commissioner suspended Marshall for 3 games for violating the personal conduct policy. It was noted that if Marshall completed all the required courses that he the suspension could be reduced. Brandon complied and the suspension was reduced to 2 games.

What needs to be noted in all of this is that Watley allegedly attempted to receive money from Marshall. In a letter from her attorney to Marshall’s attorney she asked for $100,000 in exchange to drop charges. Later the asking price went up to $500,000. Watley also wrote a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying that Brandon had never abused her and then later recanted that position.

Currently, Marshall is engaged to a different woman and has been trouble free. There was one verbal altercation with his fiancee outside of an Atlanta nightclub that was witnessed by an undercover police officer. Both Marshall and his fiancee were taken in for their conduct but no charges were filed and both were released the following morning.

Brandon also was charged with DUI in Denver and was quoted saying some harsh things about the City. He also had some medical issues when he and his brother were “horsing” around he accidentally fell through a Television set and required surgery to repair his forearm.

This timeline of Brandon’s indiscretions is not intended to bash him by any means, on the contrary. Ms. Watley may or may not have had a motive during her time with Brandon. What is does do however is give us an understanding as to why teams are hesitant to sign Brandon to a long term contract. Marshall has tried his best to move on from those bad times and he has focused on football. Over the last 3 years he has been placed in the NFL record book by breaking the single game receptions mark against the Indianapolis Colts with 21 catches. Brandon has overcome a lot and as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. Sometimes obstacles in the way are building blocks for a better tomorrow, a stepping stool that shows us the way to what’s right and what’s wrong.

Now Brandon finds himself a Restricted Free Agent. The Broncos have made him obtainable by only tendering him with a 1st Round selection, instead of a 1st and a 3rd, making it easier for a team to facilitate a trade. Certainly you would figure a team would be interested in adding a young and very talented Pro Bowl player who has had over 100 catches in each season over the last 3 years. But he comes with trepidation. One more incident with the law and the league will likely suspend him for an entire season. Couple that with the fact that Marshall has proven that he can be disruptive when things don’t go his way. During Training Camp to begin the 2009 season, Marshall was video taped intentionally batting balls to ground instead of catching them and even punting the ball as far as he could in a display of frustration. These type of actions make General Managers and Head Coaches nervous that he may be more of a distraction than a positive influence in the locker room.

On the business side, some Coaches and Personnel people may feel it prudent to wait one more season before making a run at Marshall. Next season he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent, meaning that any team could offer him a contract without having to give up a 1st Round pick in return.

I believe that Marshall has turned the corner with his maturity and is often misunderstood. His frustration over his financial situation had spilled over and effected his behavior and once he obtains that contract he will be focused on being the best player he can be, instead of worrying about whether or not he is valued. He wears his heart on his sleeve and shows that he cares with the passion he displays. The team that does take a chance will be very fortunate to get an athletic freak of nature who has only scratched the surface of his NFL talents. He is a match-up nightmare for Defensive Coordinators and is every Quarterbacks dream. Sometimes it takes a while for a player to mature, after all they’re still young men learning how to handle themselves like mature adults and role models. Brandon Marshall knows right from wrong and is doing the right things in order to keep his life in check. The team that makes the move for the guy known as the “Beast” will be enjoying the fruits of his labor for years to come.