For the majority of what would be Brandon Marshall's final season with the Denver Broncos, the talented linebacker dealt with ongoing knee pain, caused by a bone bruise. The pain originally flared up during the Broncos Week 2 battle with the Silver and Black, and was originally diagnosed as tendinitis. The 29 year old managed to play through the pain for 11 games, but it limited him all season long and took longer than expected to heal.
"It's taken a long time to get right but I'm feeling a lot better right now, so I'm just happy to be out here with my guys," Marshall told the media following practice Monday.
One of the newest members of the Silver and Black missed the majority of OTAs because of his knee, and the coaching staff wanted to be cautious with his recovery. Easing him back into his reps has been a slow process, but Marshall says he's taking better care of his body now than ever before.
"Yeah I mean, honestly, coming to Oakland has been a blessing in disguise for me because they've taught me how to be a pro, I guess in the area of taking care of my body," he said. "So, I'm extremely happy to be here. [Athletic training] Rod [Martin] has been great, the head trainer, he works with me all the time so I'm staying on top my body even when I'm feeling good because I don't want to get a setback. I can't afford one."
Marshall's right, he can't afford to be sidelined any longer because this is a crucial time of the year for him to build chemistry with the defense and establish a deeper understanding of defensive coordinator Paul Guenther's system. The level of experience and skill Marshall brings to the defense is partially why the Broncos defense was so stout for so many years. The Raiders hope to get that same level of production out of the University of Nevada Reno product.
The Raiders were back in pads Monday as they took the field for another day of practice at the Raiders Napa Valley Training Complex.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) and safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders guard/tackle Denver Kirkland (79) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and running back James Butler (36) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field before practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field during practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Koa Farmer (46) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (89) makes a catch over safety Dallin Leavitt (32) during practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (22) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Isaiah Langley (43) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) and linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) and linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Devey (65) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tackle Andre James (68) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brian Burt (12) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders safety Jordan Richards (39) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Alex Barrett (93) and linebacker/defensive end James Cowser (49) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders tight end Erik Swoope (86) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker/defensive end James Cowser (49) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) and tight end Paul Butler (81) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris (17) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) and cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) and wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Te'von Coney (56) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and offensive linemen on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75), offensive lineman Jordan Devey (65) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field with Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (38) and cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders guard Lukayus McNeil (62) and defensive tackle Gabe Wright (57) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders guard Lukayus McNeil (62) and defensive tackle Gabe Wright (57) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) and linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tight end Luke Willson (82) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders alumni Bill Romanowski and George Atkinson with owner Mark Davis and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) makes a play at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37), wide receiver Ryan Grant (19), and cornerback D.J. Killings (40) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden huddles up the team on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis and Raiders alumnus Bill Romanowski on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) and cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) and linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock on the field for practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) and Oakland Raiders fan Guy Fieri on the field at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) and his daughter sign autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (9) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (52) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs on the field after practice at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) signing autographs at 2019 Training camp.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2019 Training Camp.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs on the field after practice at 2019 Training camp.
"He didn't get a lot of reps in spring. Obviously, he was rehabbing, but he's a guy who came in there and didn't make a lot of mistakes for the first couple days," Guenther said during his media availability. "He understands. He's kind of played in that position with some other teams and he's a very good cover guy, he's got good feet, he's physical, and he can run. So, he can match up with some of these backs and tight ends that we have in our division.
Guenther continued. "I mean, it's a matchup league and with the tight ends and the backs that we have, and on every team now, you've got to be able to cover those guys. So he's a guy that you know, when he was available to us, we had to make sure he was healthy to go and we took the smart path and just let him sit out in the spring and get him healthy. In the past he's only gone two days and he took a day off and today, it was his third day, and he said he felt good. So, that's a positive thing."
Overshadowed by the likes of Von Miller and the No Fly Zone, which featured Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib, Marshall was an integral piece of the Broncos most-dominant unit. During his time with the team, he totaled 423 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, 21 passes defensed, and one touchdown while starting in 63 games.
Paired alongside Vontaze Burfict and Tahir Whitehead, the Raiders have the makings of its best linebacker unit in ages, and Marshall is ecstatic about the opportunity to work with his fellow vets.
"Vontaze, people don't really speak about his intelligence, football intelligence," Marshall said. "He has to be one of the smartest football players I've played with. He's been in this defense his whole career and he knows the in's and out's, and I come and ask him questions. I talk to him. He's played the WILL linebacker position, so I lean on him a lot right now and in this learning phase that I'm in it's great to have a veteran guy like him to lean on."
At this juncture, Marshall seems to have a good grasp and understanding of Guenther's material despite having limited reps thus far. The biggest key to Marshall's play going forward will hinge on his health, but if he's able to keep his body right I think he can help this defense take a big leap forward.
