Receiver Brandon Marshall’s ongoing desire to leave Denver is rooted in two concerns. First, he doesn’t like the manner in which the team’s physicians handled a hip injury that ultimately required surgery. Second, he wants a new contract.
The more accurate description as to the latter factor could be that he needs a new contract.
There’s talk in league circles that Marshall has run out of money. If that’s true, at least one league source isn’t surprised.
“Why does a guy who was a fourth-round draft pick live in three different places?” the source said regarding Marshall’s residences in Denver, Atlanta, and Orlando.
Frankly, we find it hard to believe that Marshall is facing money troubles, if in fact he is (and we’re not reporting that he is -- we’re only saying that some league insiders think that he is). After pocketing a signing bonus of $420,000 in 2006, Marshall earned a base salary of $275,000 as a rookie, a base salary of $360,000 in 2007, and a base salary of $445,000 in 2008 (less two game checks, one for a suspension and one for a fine). Also, because of his stellar performances to date in his career, escalators in Marshall’s rookie deal have pushed his 2009 salary to $2.198 million.
Of course, Marshall likely will be able to easily afford those three houses -- and more -- once he gets paid like the elite receiver he is. But it’s not going to happen soon, unless someone blows the Broncos away with a trade offer.
Our pal Adam Schefter thinks the Broncos wouldn’t say “no” to a first-round draft pick. But we think it would take more than that to get the Broncos to give Marshall a one-way ticket out of the “f--king city” he supposedly hates.
If Marshall isn’t traded, he likely won’t be getting a big-money deal in the near future. As we understand it, the Broncos don’t plan to devote any more cash to the 2009 edition of the team, likely due to a lingering bad economy and concerns previously stated by owner Pat Bowlen regarding the current player-compensation system under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Bottom line? If Brandon really is broke, he might want to consider getting a short-term loan. After all, he’ll make plenty of money once the season starts, and a huge payday is looming.
Of course, if he can’t scare up any cash (if he in fact is running out of it), there’s always bankruptcy.
In the end, it might be the best way for Marshall to keep his Ms. Pacman video game, if like Mike Vick he actually owns one.