Alumnus' return excites fans, friends and relatives

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - If the enthusiastic response of Cabell Circuit Court Judge Dan O'Hanlon is any indication, Marshall University made the perfect pick in hiring Mike Hamrick as its next athletic director. "What a great day for Marshall University," O'Hanlon told Board of Governors member John Hess on Monday afternoon, a few minutes before Hamrick's introductory news conference began. "I am so excited. This is fantastic." Others apparently agree. More than 100 people crammed into the Cam Henderson Center's Robert C. Hartley Room to welcome home Hamrick, a 51-year-old Clendenin native and Herbert Hoover High School product who graduated from Marshall in 1980 and played football for the Herd in 1976-79. Among those in the crowd were some of his former Marshall teammates, including Bob Campbell (East Bank), Howie Harris (East Bank) and Mike Johnson (South Charleston). Hamrick poked fun at his special guests during his speech. "I see some old friends, some guys back there who still think they can play," he said. "They never could play, but they still think they can play." The Herd was 5-6 in 1976, 2-9 in '77, 1-10 in '78 and 1-10 in '79. "I left here in 1980 after the four greatest years of my life," Hamrick said. "Some of the guys in the back can attest to that. I see a few of them. We didn't win very many football games, but we tried. We gave it that good effort. We always represented this university in a positive manner. "We believe we helped set the groundwork for this program (which had 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1984-2003). I got here after the plane crash (which killed 75 people in 1970, most of them football players and coaches). The newness of the Young Thundering Herd had worn off. It was a great education. It was a good time. We tried hard for Marshall University. "Over those four years, that set the tone for the rest of my life. I owe that to this university. I owe that to all of the supporters of this athletic program and this university because I would not be in the position I am at today or had the opportunities I have had without Marshall University." Some of the Herd head coaches also attended, including Mark Snyder (football) and Donnie Jones (men's basketball).

We Loathe Marshall: Does Depth Chart Drop Mean Brandon Marshall's Denver Exit? by Rich Kurtzman (Analyst)

Marshall is no longer the No. 1 receiver on the Broncos, heck he's not even on the first team now. Second year phenom Eddie Royal has taken the No. 1 receiver spot, with veterans Brandon Stokely and Jabar Gaffney following him respectively. This move may not just be due to injury though, it may act as a precursor, to the very near future. Foreshadowing in the drama blockbuster that is Brandon Marshall's playing career, and really, whole life.

Marshall was moved off the starting string yesterday, which could be seen in a few different ways. First, he's just injured, and since he won't be practicing, it's a good way to get the other guys comfortable in those spots. Especially if Marshall misses significant time during the season. Second, Marshall was taken off the roster because he's hurt and has a court date coming up on Thursday. If Marshall is found guilty, he will likely miss a good part of the season, up to eight games, which again gets the next guys in line playing time at their new positions and learning the new routes and formations that come with McDaniels' arrival. Third, and most intriguing, this move of Marshall from No. 1 overall receiver to second-stringer signifies the Broncos possibly shopping the disgruntled receiver around. Maybe McDaniels is fed up with Marshall's "injury," brashness, and likely inability to learn the multitude of plays put in front of him.

Brandon Marshall is a superb talent, but is he worth it? Is he worth all this negative media attention, in a year Denver has already been shelled by the national and local media alike? Is he worth the "rockstar" attitude that he and many other prima donna NFL receivers bring with them? Is he worth the fumbles, plays taken off, and weak work ethic? Perhaps yesterday in Dove Valley McD and CO. finally thought, "no." Or perhaps Marshall just needs a few days rest.

I may be paranoid, but I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall is gone in the next few days.