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Oct 7, 2008 11:29 am US/Mountain
Marshall Speaks About Broncos' Latest Injuries
Brandon Marshall Quarterbacks For Cutler On His Show
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Written by Matthew J. Buettner, cbs4denver.com
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Brandon Marshall was the guest host for Qwest Jay Cutler Live! on Monday.
CBS
With Jay Cutler taking a week off, Denver Broncos star wide receiver Brandon Marshall decided he'd help out his teammate and play quarterback for Cutler's CBS4 show Qwest Jay Cutler Live!
The first issue Marshall and CBS4's Vic Lombardi tackled was the slew of injuries the Broncos suffered during Sunday's 16-13 win in Denver over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Among those injured in the game were three offensive starters:
-- Tight end Tony Scheffler, groin injury
-- Running back Selvin Young, groin injury
-- Wide receiver Eddie Royal, sprained ankle
"It a long season and that's what you train for in the offseason ... you get everybody ready," Marshall said. "It's just time for Andre (Hall) to step up. Nate Jackson -- he's a good tight end."
The Broncos signed tight end Chad Mustard Monday to help out after the Scheffler injury.
Marshall also discussed the game plan against the Bucs. The Bucs run a Cover 2 zone defense, which is designed to keep the opposing offense underneath their defensive backs. It makes it hard for teams to go downfield with long passes.
"When you look at Tampa Bay statistically, as far as the defense, the past 9 years they rank in the Top 5," Marshall said. "They don't give up big plays and that's part of our offense ... with a team like that, that's so sound in their technique, you've got to just pick away ... you've got to be patient."
The Broncos proved to be patient as they pulled out the win, especially with a defense that was ranked 30th going into the game. The defense showed up and held the Bucs to only 13 points, the lowest so far this season.
It was redemption for the defense, especially after giving up an average of nearly 30 points a game and 408.8 yards of offense. In Week 4 against Kansas City, Larry Johnson gashed the defense for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
"At the end of the day, we're in it together," Marshall said. "The offense can put up as many points as we can and move the ball as well as we do, but if the defense doesn't stop anybody, it's going to be a long season for us. But those guys won that game for us. They played together and got it done."
Kicker Matt Prater now leads the league in scoring with 51 points, averaging 10.2 points a game. Marshall and Prater were teammates in college at Central Florida University. Marshall said Prater was "that good" in college as well.
"His nickname was 'Otto-Matic,'" Marshall said.
The show's scheduled guest was defensive tackle Kenny Peterson. Peterson, who played college ball at Ohio State, was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2003 draft. After spending three disappointing seasons with the Packers he was released and signed by the Broncos.
Peterson has 10 tackles and 2 sacks in the first five games this season. He's even put in some time playing nose tackle.
"I'll scratch wherever it itches," Peterson said. "We play 4-3, 3-4, it doesn't matter ... we have the ability to do that with the guys we have. The linebackers are a talented group and the back end is just phenomenal. Coach can just draw it up in the dirt and we'll play it."
The difference in the Bucs game was the defense put a lot of pressure on quarterback Brian Griese.
"I don't think we did anything different, but just technique-wise, everybody was where they were supposed to be," Peterson said. "Coach did a great job of calling pressures when we needed them and letting guys basically play."
Next week the Broncos will host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are coming off a 26-21 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jaguars are 2-3 but the Broncos defense will have their hands full even though the Jags are ranked 26 in offense. David Garrard can make big plays when throwing to Matt Jones and Mike Walker. Running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew have combined for 408 yards rushing.
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