We weren’t the only ones surprised by Brandon Marshall’s benching Friday.
Marshall reportedly was unaware that coach Josh McDaniels was sitting him for a “coach’s decision” concerning Marshall’s accountability.
“I don’t think coach ever played in the NFL, so for my hamstring to be feeling the way it felt, it’s tough for me to go out there and expect to play at a high level,” Marshall said.
Marshall defended his toughness in comments distributed by the Denver Post.
“I played last year with a tear in my hip, so I don’t think my toughness is in question here. I just have got to do my best to get back to 100 percent, and hopefully things fall into place where it should be and hopefully we’ll get into the playoffs and I’ll be there with my teammates.”
Marshall seems to be missing the point. McDaniels seems upset with Marshall’s preparation and attitude more than his availability. McDaniels is clearly sending a message to the rest of the team. The coach used the word “indifference” as something that would not be tolerated.
“We’re all accountable to give our very best effort,” McDaniels said. “That’s what this is about. . . . The guys that are going to play hard and do what we asked them to do and fight through adversity and be committed to one another, that’s the group [we’ll play].”
Whether Denver’s season ends Sunday or not, it’s hard not to wonder if Marshall will be part of that group again under McDaniels.
Or if this is just another painful lesson in the education of Brandon Marshall.