Marshall runs, and runs, and runs

ENGLEWOOD
Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall's 18 catches against San Diego certainly impressed New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. But when Payton watched the game film, what caught his eye was how much Marshall ran around.

"Certainly he's got stamina," said Payton, who watched the game when scouting Denver for a Week 3 game. "He's in the game and he's not coming out for a lot of rests. If you charted how long he ran during the course of that game, I'm sure it would be a lot with the amount of times they threw it."

So how much did Marshall run in his record-setting Sept. 14 game against the Chargers? He had no idea.

"300? 400?" Marshall wondered.

Not even close. A review of the game film showed that Marshall ran about 1,356 yards during plays. That counts pre-snap motion and all the running he did as part of the 76 plays he was on the field - and the time he ran 15 yards in motion before the Broncos called a timeout.

Very few noticed all that extra work, but that's the normal life of a football receiver. Television follows the ball and few in the stands would bother to watch a receiver on every play, but they're running a long way at high speed on many plays.

"It's definitely amazing to see how much we run out there and how much energy we put into a game," Marshall said.

The first play of the game, a 9-yard catch by Marshall, was a good example of how much he had to work for his yards. For that 9-yard gain, Marshall ran about 57 yards total, including the 32 yards he ran in motion.

During plenty of other plays he would run more than 20 yards, turn back and see someone else had already caught the ball.

"It's just part of the game," Marshall said of the running without being rewarded with a catch.

Marshall sat out only eight offensive plays, and six instances were because the Broncos were using a goal-line package with no receivers. He came out once for rest in the second quarter and again in the fourth. His 76-play workload was amazing, considering the Broncos as a team hadn't run 75 offensive snaps from Oct. 22, 2006 to that Chargers game.

And before the San Diego game Marshall hadn't played more than a half of football in about nine months. The Broncos didn't play their starters for more than a half in any of the four preseason games, and he missed Denver's first game because of a suspension.

Marshall said he learned he had to fight through fatigue and remain in games last year, when the Broncos relied on him as Javon Walker sat out with a knee injury.

"Being a wide receiver, you've got to be ready to run for 60 minutes," Marshall said.

This offseason, he prepared physically to carry a large load for the offense. He took that mentality into the season. He said he likes to run a mile each day before morning meetings, then catches some balls from a machine to keep in proper condition.

Marshall admits he was tired during the long game. That was evident on one play in the fourth quarter, when he went out to block on a run play and stopped still after he engaged with the defender for a moment. But he always found a little more energy when his number was called. He was in for every play of Denver's final, game-winning drive and caught four passes.

"I just try to be out there for my teammates," Marshall said. "That is what football is about when it gets hard. You look to the right and left at the guys you could take into a foxhole with you and I want to be one of those guys that my quarterback, offensive line, running back and other receivers can look at and say, ‘I can take that guy in a foxhole.'"
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Contact the writer: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com. Check out our Broncos blog at gazettebroncos.freedomblogging.com

Here is a look at how much Brandon Marshall ran during his 18-catch, 166-yard game against San Diego on Sept. 14 after a review of the game film. The yardage numbers are approximate.

First play
1-10, Denver 20
Marshall goes in motion from right to left. He runs inside on a wide receiver screen, catches the ball and after going about a yard past the middle of the field, comes back and is tackled between the hashmarks 8 yards downfield.
Total running: 57 yards

Second play
2-1, Denver 29
Marshall lines up in the slot to the left at Denver's 27-yard line. He runs a straight deep route, but isn't thrown the ball, and stops at San Diego's 45-yard line.
Total running: 28 yards.

Third play
1-10, San Diego 47
Marshall lines up to the left just behind San Diego's 47-yard line. He runs a curl route about a yard inside, catches the ball at the 42 and sprints outside before being upended about halfway between the numbers and the sideline at the 36-yard line.
Total running: 21 yards

Fourth play
1-10, San Diego 36
Lining up at the 38, Marshall runs another curl, fading out a couple of yards before coming back at about the 25-yard line. He doesn't get the ball thrown his way.
Total running: 17 yards.

Fifth play
2-5, San Diego 31
From the slot at the 32-yard line, Marshall runs a straight route and stops at the 17 to turn around for the pass. It glances off his hands incomplete.
Total running: 15 yards.

Sixth play
3-5, San Diego 31
Going in motion from an outside position to the inside, Marshall is called for a false start penalty when he starts to lean forward.
Total running: 7 yards

Seventh play
3-10, San Diego 36
Another penalty on the Broncos, but Marshall didn't move.
Total running: 0 yards.

Eighth play
3-15, San Diego 41
Starting at the 42-yard line, Marshall beat press coverage for an inside release, then turned outside at about the 30 and ran to the 18-yard line before stopping, as the ball was thrown to another receiver.
Total running: 26 yards.

Ninth play
1-10, San Diego 29
Starting a new drive, Marshall lines up outside of the hashmark and runs inside to block a linebacker on a running play. Not a lot of running, but plenty of energy was expended.
Total running: 5 yards

10th play
2-2, San Diego 21
Starting at the 22-yard line Marshall runs a post route, running ahead to the 10-yard line before breaking to the middle and stopping at the 2-yard line when the ball is thrown elsewhere.
Total running: 23 yards

11th play
1-10, San Diego 12
Another running play in which the yards Marshall ran can't sum up how much he worked. Lined up at the 14-yard line, Marshall engages with the linebacker at the 10, moves a few yards outside and then drives him back 8 yards
Total running: 17 yards

12th and 13th plays
1-G, San Diego 2; 2-G, San Diego 1
Marshall is on the sideline for the first time as the Broncos use no receivers in a goal-line set and score a touchdown on the second try.

14th play
1-10, Denver 20
Marshall lines up in the slot at the 18-yard line, runs 7 yards ahead and then 8 yards outside.
Total running: 15 yards

15th play
2-10, Denver 20
Marshall lines up very inside at the 19-yard line, and then runs a deep route across the middle of the field. The ball doesn't come his way.
Total running: 33 yards

16th play
1-10, Denver 31
Again from the slot position at the 29-yard line, Marshall runs a simple curl to the 36. But when Eddie Royal catches the ball, Marshall sprints out to pick up a block.
Total running: 19 yards

17th play
2-1, Denver 40
The Broncos line up Marshall in the slot and run outside his direction while Marshall blocks the cornerback in front of him.
Total running: 9 yards

18th play
1-10, San Diego 47
Against Chargers Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie, Marshall does a stutter step and then runs deep. The ball is thrown short.
Total running: 24 yards

19th play
2-6, San Diego 43
The Broncos again line up Marshall in the slot and run his way. Marshall lets his man, cornerback Quentin Jammer, get around him, but runs after him and knocks him to the ground.
Total running: 12 yards

20th play
3-1, San Diego 38
From a two tight-end set, the Broncos send Marshall in motion. The play is an inside run, but Marshall runs forward 5 yards without picking up a block.
Total running: 35 yards

No play (timeout)
1-10, San Diego 35
The Broncos send Marshall in motion, and when he gets to his spot, they call timeout.
Total running: 15 yards

21st play
1-10, San Diego 35
Marshall lines up wide at the 36-yard line, runs straight to the 20 and then runs inside for a few yards as a run play goes to the other side. He doesn't block anyone.
Total running: 20 yards

22nd play
2-14, San Diego 39
On the first play of the second quarter, Marshall runs deep and gets the ball. He runs straight ahead for 25 yards, catches the ball at the 16-yard line inside the numbers and angles out of bounds until he is shoved out at the 5. He is also tackled out of bounds.
Total running: 42 yards

23rd and 24th play
1-G, San Diego 2; 2-G, San Diego 2
The Broncos go big in a goal-line package and Marshall sits out his third and fourth plays of the game.

25th play
3-G, San Diego 2
Marshall is back on the field for a key play. He only runs about 3 yards, but it's with a Chargers defender jamming him the whole way.
Total running: 3 yards.

26th play
1-10, San Diego 48
Starting a new drive, Marshall lines up at the 50-yard line. He runs ahead, cuts his route outside at the 35-yard line, and then makes a spectacular jumping grab with Cromartie yanking on his helmet at the 29-yard line.
Total running: 32 yards

27th play
1-10, San Diego 14
Marshall runs a route to the end zone but the ball goes to tight end Tony Scheffler for a touchdown. The yards Marshall jogged to celebrate with his teammates don't count.
Total running: 14 yards

28th play
1-10, Denver 20
Starting a new drive, Marshall lines up at the 18-yard line and runs straight ahead to the 45 as the pass is thrown short.
Total running: 27 yards

29th play
2-3, Denver 27
On a run play, Marshall runs 8 yards ahead and blocks a defender.
Total running: 8 yards

30th play
1-10, Denver 30
Marshall runs straight ahead 16 yards, stops and comes back 3 yards although the ball isn't thrown to him. He does run an extra few yards looking for a block after the ball is caught by Nate Jackson, although he doesn't pick one up before the play is dead.
Total running: 24 yards

31st play
2-4, Denver 36
Marshall gets a rare breather in a normal formation. It's the first play, not counting goal-line sets, which he sits out. The play doesn't officially count because of a penalty.

32nd play.
2-9, Denver 31
Marshall's rest doesn't last long. He runs a slant route but the ball doesn't come to him. The play is nullified by a penalty anyway.
Total running: 10 yards

33rd play
2-24, Denver 16
Marshall is the lone receiver on quarterback Jay Cutler's left for a run play designed to go right. Young cuts back all the way across field and Marshall had kept running, which put him in position for a key block.
Total running: 21 yards

34th play
1-10, San Diego 35
Lining up at the 36-yard line, Marshall gets an inside release and starts running down the hashmark, but slows down after the ball is thrown deep the other way.
Total running: 17 yards

35th play
2-10, San Diego 35
The run play goes to the left, away from Marshall. Marshall runs down the field at a little less than full speed, but doesn't pick up a block.
Total running: 14 yards

36th play
3-9, San Diego 34
Marshall is sent a few steps in motion, and then runs an out route after running straight for 11 yards. He isn't thrown the ball. The Broncos kick a field goal the next play.
Total running: 16 yards

37th play
1-10, Denver 20
There are a little more than two minutes left when the Broncos start a new drive, so most of the plays are with no huddle, a tiring time for a receiver. Marshall runs a 15-yard dig route, comes back for the catch, and then retreats three more yards before running back to the 31-yard line just inside the hashmark.
Total running: 32 yards.

38th play
1-10, Denver 31
After Marshall got a chance to rest over the two-minute warning, he drew a holding penalty on Cromartie when he faked inside, then ran deep outside. A Broncos holding penalty meant the play had to be redone.
Total running: 25 yards

39th play
1-10, Denver 31
Marshall runs a shallow crossing route from left to right, but Cutler has to scramble to his left.
Total running: 22 yards

40th play
2-6, Denver 35
Marshall is sent in motion, and then runs another dig route. He came back a few yards but the ball was thrown short to another receiver.
Total running: 21 yards

41st play
3-6, Denver 35
Starting at the 34-yard line, Marshall runs to the 43 and comes back to make a catch at the 41. He runs a few yards inside, then moves forward 5 yards to the 46, an 11-yard gain.
Total running: 21 yards

42nd play
1-10, Denver 46
No time to stop, the Broncos are in hurry-up mode and go right back to Marshall. He runs a 5-yard in route, and dragged a defender the final few yards of the play.
Total running: 15 yards

43rd play
2-7, Denver 49
Another no-huddle play, Marshall runs the same route and gets the ball again. He doesn't run quite as much because he is brought down almost immediately.
Total running: 11 yards

44th play
3-1, San Diego 45
Another no-huddle play, but Marshall get a reprieve when Cutler sneaks the ball straight ahead for the first down. Marshall stays at his position and, obviously tired, squats down as Cutler is tackled.
Total running: 0 yards

45th play
1-10, San Diego 40
Marshall lines up wide left and has to beat bump coverage as he runs downfield. The ball isn't thrown to him. The Broncos call timeout.
Total running: 25 yards

46th play
2-1, San Diego 31
Marshall lines up wide and runs a slant route, catching it at the 22 before being pushed back and pitching a lateral to Brandon Stokley. The clock is running so Denver has to line up right away for the next play.
Total running: 11 yards

47th play
1-10, San Diego 21
From the 22-yard line, Marshall runs another in route at about 6 yards. He runs from outside the numbers to the hashmark, but the ball goes to Stokley and he gets out of bounds.
Total running: 18 yards

48th play
1-G, San Diego 6
Marshall goes against press coverage and runs into the end zone, but the ball doesn't go to him. It is incomplete, so the clock stops.
Total running: 14 yards

49th play
2-G, San Diego 6
At the end of a long drive, Marshall has the energy to put a great move on Cromartie at the goal line and get to the corner of the end zone to catch a touchdown.
Total running 17 yards

50th play
1-10, Denver 24
To start the second half, Marshall runs a short curl, and then cuts inside when he isn't open.
Total running: 13 yards

51st play
2-10, Denver 24
A running play goes inside. Marshall is lined up inside and gets a quick block on a linebacker.
Total running: 3 yards

52nd play
3-7, Denver 27
A stop-and-go route for Marshall results in an incompletion thrown his way. After his deep route, the Broncos punt.
Total running: 40 yards

53rd play
1-10, Denver 20
To start a new drive, Marshall comes inside on motion, then tries to get a piece of the linebacker on a running play.
Total running: 8 yards

54th play
2-6, Denver 24
Marshall is a decoy, running a short route while a run play goes the other way.
Total running: 6 yards

55th play
3-2, Denver 28
The Broncos call Marshall's number again, on a wide receiver screen. He doesn't get very far as he is tackled almost immediately.
Total running: 5 yards

56th play
1-10, Denver 20
Denver's next drive is its first of the fourth quarter. Marshall did get some rest during a quiet third quarter for the offense. He runs a deep route but the ball is passed short.
Total running: 27 yards

57th play
2-2, Denver 28
Marshall runs a quick out route and is tackled as soon as he grabs the ball.
Total running: 9 yards

58th play
1-10, Denver 33
Marshall lines up in the slot and runs a straight route, but the ball goes to Daniel Graham.
Total running: 15 yards

59th play
1-10, Denver 46
Marshall catches another pass on a quick 5-yard route. He makes a couple spins trying to avoid a tackle but gets ridden out of bounds.
Total running: 17 yards

60th play
2-6, 50-yard line
Another catch for Marshall, who runs a slant route and fumbles after dragging a defender a couple of yards. The Broncos recover.
Total running: 17 yards

61st play
1-10, San Diego 42
Marshall is blocking on a running play to his side. He doesn't get much resistance from Cromartie, but he has to run more because Cromartie keeps retreating. At the end of the play, Marshall signals that he has to come out for a breather.
Total running: 22 yards

62nd play
2-2, San Diego 34
Marshall hasn't come out on offense since the 30th play of the game, which was with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter. There is 9:30 left in the fourth quarter for this play, a run up the middle.

63rd play
1-10, San Diego 30
Marshall is back in. He goes in motion, then runs an out route. Cutler is targeting him, but the ball is batted down at the line.
Total running: 17 yards

64th play
2-10, San Diego 30
From the slot, Marshall runs a dig route but falls down at the 15. Cutler scrambles on the play, so Marshall goes deep, but Cutler doesn't see him before he dumps the ball off. Another play that doesn't officially count because of a defensive penalty.
Total running: 31 yards

65th play
1-10, San Diego 25
Marshall runs a few yards and shadows the retreating cornerback on a run play up the middle that is stopped right away.
Total running: 7 yards

66th play
2-12, San Diego 27
Marshall actually had 19 catches in the game, but this one didn't count. Cromartie was called for holding when Marshall stopped and tried to come back for the ball. The Broncos took the penalty and automatic first down instead of the 10-yard catch.
Total running: 16 yards

67th play
1-10, San Diego 23
Marshall runs a post route to the 1-yard line but Cutler has to scramble and runs it himself.
Total running: 31 yards

68th play
2-8, San Diego 21
Marshall may be tired, but he's still blocking in the run game. A run comes his way and he engages with the cornerback for a few yards on a first-down run.
Total running: 12 yards

69th play
1-10, San Diego 11
Marshall runs a short curl route but the ball goes the other way.
Total running: 7 yards

70th play
2-3, San Diego 4
Marshall runs to the goal line and spins back but the ball doesn't go to his side.
Total running: 7 yards.

71st play
3-3, San Diego 4
Marshall again runs a quick route to the end zone, but Cutler rolls the other way and throws an interception.
Total running: 8 yards

72nd play
1-10, Denver 20
Marshall has played 64 of 70 plays to this point, but 4:22 remain in the game and the Broncos trail 38-31, so he isn't coming out. He runs a go route, but the ball is thrown short.
Total running: 33 yards

73rd play
2-10, Denver 20
Marshall runs an in route, and is hit and put on his back once he tries to go upfield for more yardage.
Total running: 17 yards

74th play
3-2, Denver 28
Marshall, understandably, doesn't have quite as much energy as he runs out to block on a running play, which picks up the first down. He engages briefly with the defender and then lets him go.
Total running: 7 yards

75th play
1-10, Denver 40
An out route for Marshall gets him another catch. He breaks at 13 yards, comes back a bit for the ball and gets hit out of bounds.
Total running: 25 yards

76th play
2-2, Denver 48
A short in route by Marshall, but the ball doesn't come his way.
Total running: 9 yards

77th play
1-10, San Diego 39
Marshall runs a 15-yard out route, but the ball goes to the middle.
Total running: 18 yards

78th play
1-10, San Diego 19
Although Marshall looks tired, he still has enough energy to make plays. He ran a 5-yard in route, drifted back outside because the cornerback was inside of him, then made a defender miss after he caught the ball.
Total running: 24 yards

79th play
2-4, San Diego 13
After a much-needed break for the two-minute warning, Marshall takes a huge hit after a catch. He runs a slant, and after couple of steps he is hit low and spins in air before landing at the 2-yard line.
Total running: 14 yards

80th and 81st plays
1-G, San Diego 2; 2-G, San Diego 1
Denver is back to the goal-line formation, so Marshall sits on the bench.

82nd play
3-G, San Diego 10
Marshall is back on the field after a controversial fumble (which was mistakenly blown dead as an incomplete pass), but he's just a decoy on this inside run play, only drifting out a few steps.
Total running: 2 yards

83rd play
4-G, San Diego 4
Three defenders shade Marshall's way when he runs to the corner, which helps open up the middle for Royal, who catches a touchdown.
Total running: 19 yards

84th play
2-point conversion
Marshall is jammed at the line and runs along the goal line, and two defenders go with him to once again open up the middle for Royal. Marshall once again runs to join the pile on Royal after the go-ahead catch.
Total running: 12 yards

Total running for the game: 1,356 yards
Plays appeared in: 76 of 84 plays (76 of 78 plays not in goal-line packages)