Say this for Brandon Marshall: He understands a storyline.
For his press conference Thursday, Marshall came out holding a football. Finger on the tip. Ball tucked to his side.
He even performed some eloquent ball transfers, from left to right hand, and back again, in midsentence.
After making critical fumbles in the Broncos’ two losses this year, Marshall was letting everyone know he’s seriously trying to correct the problem.
“It’s nothing special, it’s just kind of training your brain to hold on to the ball,” Marshall said of the age-old tactic of carrying a football around during off hours.
Despite missing one game to serve a suspension, Marshall leads the NFL with 43 receptions and is second to Green Bay’s Greg Jennings with 104.2 yards per game.
But after fumbling at the Jacksonville 7 yard line last week in a 24-17 loss, Marshall said he might have to stop fighting for extra yardage in order to reduce the risk of fumbling.
His idea brought gasps around Broncoland as the YAC — yards after the catch — is perhaps what sets Marshall apart from other receivers.
He has since reconsidered.
“I went back and thought about things,” Marshall said. “‘It’s not hard. Last year, I had a successful year and I probably put the ball wherever I wanted to and didn’t lose it. But that’s what makes me. I’m kind of eating those words right now. I just have to do a better job of holding the ball tighter. Actually in that game I kind of just dropped the ball. No one touched it. I was trying to get in the end zone and I stiff-armed him and I just dropped the ball.”
The Broncos play next on Monday night in New England.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
