Ed Barkowitz: Broncos' Marshall is a fantasy surprise
DENVER OWNER Pat Bowlen said what the rest of us have been thinking, but it still was a delight to hear.
Brandon Marshall was a question mark heading into fantasy draft season. He was discontented with his contract, coming off hip surgery and possibly looking at an NFL suspension for misconduct. Though he had consecutive 100-catch seasons, Marshall was a bit of a fantasy gamble.
Marshall escaped league suspension and, after a slow start, has put together three solid games. He still hasn't cracked 100 yards yet, but his three scores in the last four games are a huge reason Denver is a thoroughly surprising 5-0. It also has owners - both fantasy and the dude who runs the Broncos - singing delightfully.
"Brandon understands that he's got a year left on his present deal, but if he keeps playing the way he is, he's going to get a very significant raise - a much better contract," Bowlen told NFL.com at this week's owners' meeting in Boston. "That's the way it goes, and Brandon has accepted that."
Marshall is the Broncos' top target in the red zone, which is even sweeter music. He had 13 touchdown catches combined in 2007 and 2008. If he keeps it up, Marshall probably will get to double figures in 2009.
About the only thing he's done wrong lately was wear a Rockies jersey after Sunday's thrilling win over the Patriots and before Colorado played the Phillies in Game 3 of the playoffs.
Marshall was smiling and jovial and looking nothing like the guy banished from the team for 9 days just before the season.
"He has put the time in practice and in the film room," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "I think he is a special talent and has certainly caught up with the rest of the guys."
Here are five other pleasant surprises this fantasy season:
* Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers: It's early, but Winslow leads all tight ends with four touchdowns.
* Cedric Benson, Bengals: Leads the NFL in rushing.
* Ronnie Brown, Dolphins: Has run for two touchdowns in three of the last four games.
* Steve Smith, Giants: Leads all wide receivers in receptions and yards, and is tied for the most TD catches, with four.
* Saints defense: Leads the league with 13 takeaways and has scored three touchdowns.
Result of the week
Josh Johnson's numbers were better than his actual performance, which is the essence (and some say the problem) with fantasy football.
The Buccaneers quarterback threw for 240 yards on Sunday against the Eagles. Last week, we pledged to award a Daily News Fantasy Football T-shirt to the reader who came closest to Johnson's passing yards.
Bob Lunny, of Horsham, Pa., won it with a guess of 218. Dave Riether, of Langhorne, won the consolation prize - his name in the paper and our sincere thanks for playing - for his guess of 217.
Three up
* DeSean Jackson, wide receiver, Eagles: Don't sweat the matchup with Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha. The Eagles will move Jackson around, while Oakland generally keeps Asomugha on the defensive right side.
