Brandon Marshall went home to Florida for the bye weekend. He had a great time, told all his friends and family how great it is to be an NFL player. Then he returned to Denver, hoping to make an impact as a NFL player.
“I’m just looking for that one big play,” the skilled rookie receiver from Central Florida said. “That one play can get it all going.”
The Broncos certainly hope so. Now that the bye week is over, the team’s rookies have come back to practice hoping to make greater contributions. For Marshall and second-round pick Tony Scheffler – a talented tight end who has gotten significant playing time – that means under the bright Monday night lights of Invesco Field at Mile High against the 4-0 Baltimore Ravens.
“Early in the season is always an adjustment time for rookies,” Denver tight ends coach Tim Brewster said. “They’ve played three regular-season games, plus four preseason games. For those guys used to the college schedule, the season is starting to wind down. But we’re just getting going, so that bye is important for those guys.”
Scheffler and Marshall are getting the most action of Denver’s draft class while undrafted rookie Mike Bell is a backup after spending the first two games in a running back rotation with Tatum Bell. First-round pick Jay Cutler is backing up quarterback Jake Plummer, and fourth-round pick Elvis Dumervil, a defensive end, has been inactive all season, as has fifth-round pick Chris Kuper, a guard. Fourth-round pick Domenik Hixon, a wide receiver, and sixth-round center Greg Eslinger are injured.
The Denver rookie class as a whole has been slow to make major contributions. Still, the Broncos believe this is their best crop of rookies in several years.
“If you look at skill position players around the league there aren’t a whole lot of guys making huge impacts outside of (Green Bay’s receiver Greg) Jennings,” Denver assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger said. “Our guys are making good progress. Nobody is unhappy with them. They are going to be fine.”
Scheffler has seen significant playing time in all three of Denver’s games and has one catch for nine yards.
The Broncos believe Scheffler is close to making a big impact in the vertical game.
“The kid has all the desire and big-time skills,” Brewster said. “I really like the way he’s coming on. He’s about to explode.”
The Broncos hope the same is true with Marshall. The fourth-round pick used his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame and quickness to make one big play after another in training camp. He started the preseason opener in Detroit when starters Rod Smith and Javon Walker sat out as precautions. Marshall, though, suffered a sprained knee in the game and missed the rest of the preseason and the season opener at St. Louis.
Marshall has played the past two games, but has yet to make a catch.
“The Kansas City game was really, really fast,” Marshall said. “But I noticed at New England that the game really slowed down. I felt comfortable. That was a good sign. I expect the Baltimore game to be very slow for me and even more comfortable. I’m ready to break out.”
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
