FIRST DOWN
LIGHTER IS BETTER
Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall’s preseason started in ominous fashion, missing two tackles against Minnesota.
But playing at a new weight (in the 227-230 range), Marshall feels he has adjusted entering Sunday’s opener against Seattle.
“I’m starting to feel good,” Marshall said. “That first game (against Minnesota) was kind of weird. I didn’t play well against the Vikings. But I started playing better in the second and third games.”
Marshall dropped the weight during the offseason so he could play better in coverage. The flip side of that is he must play with expert technique in the run game.
“My body wasn’t used to it,” he said. “I haven’t been this light since my freshman and sophomore years in college (at Nevada). I’m finally starting to get used to it. I’m excited about me playing in space and excited to see what this year has in store for me.”
SECOND DOWN
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Good stuff from the industry website Over The Cap this week in its roster breakdowns. Its research revealed 31.7 percent of the rosters are undrafted free agents. First-round picks make up 14.3 percent, followed by 10.7 percent for the second round and 10.4 percent for Round 3.
The Broncos’ breakdown (we used the player’s entry into the league, not how they were acquired by the Broncos):
Round 1: Seven players (13.2 percent).
Round 2: Four players (7.5 percent).
Round 3: Seven players (13.2 percent).
Round 4: Five players (9.4 percent).
Round 5: Five players (9.4 percent).
Round 6: Five players (9.4 percent).
Round 7: One player (1.9 percent).
Undrafted: Nineteen players (35.8 percent).
THIRD DOWN
NEW STOP FOR MARSHALL
Seattle is receiver Brandon Marshall’s sixth team, including his third club in as many years. He started his career with four seasons (two Pro Bowls) for the Broncos, including years of 1,325, 1,265 and 1,120 yards receiving.
Marshall has posted 1,000-yard seasons with the Broncos, Miami (two), Chicago (two) and the Jets (one). He enters Sunday with 959 catches for 12,215 yards and 82 touchdowns.
Injuries to Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett allowed Marshall to create a rhythm with quarterback Russell Wilson in the preseason.
“He came in and was a little banged up so it was a little slower process,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “But by the time he got back through the middle of the preseason, we had seen enough — we could see the things he could do. He has a real uniqueness about him because he’s a big guy (6-foot-5), has great experience and savvy. We just needed to see him get back into shape, maintain it and come back day after day and he’s done that. We’re really looking forward to his contribution.”
FOURTH DOWN
EXCITED TO BE BACK
Broncos rookie linebacker Alexander Johnson was training on the team’s practice field Saturday when he said a member of the team’s front office told him he had made the team.
General manager John Elway said the Broncos kept Johnson because they believed he would be claimed on waivers. He is one of six inside linebackers on roster. If Johnson is active Sunday, it will be his first meaningful game since November 2014 before he was suspended by Tennessee following a rape accusation. He was acquitted in July.
“Pretty great feeling,” he said of making the team.
Johnson played in the final three preseason games. He said there was one big adjustment to be back on the field.
“Having a helmet and pads on that first week — my neck and shoulders, man, I was tired,” he said. “My body was saying, ‘I haven’t done this in a long time.’ But I think I stayed ready. I’m just excited to be back.”
