ground attack can be even more productive.When you watch the tape, theres a lot of yards still, to me, that were leaving out t

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos?linebacker Brandon Marshall says it was extremely concerning to receive a letter filled with racial slurs and threatening language.Just so many racist, derogatory terms that were in it ... just a bunch of crazy things that was in it, Marshall said Friday. Thats what stood out to me, that somebody would have that much hate or malice toward me or put that much energy into writing something like that and send it to me. It takes so much energy to hate. I just dont understand it.Marshall posted photos of the handwritten letter -- which includes multiple threats and racial epithets -- on his Instagram account Friday. The writer told Marshall your time is coming, watch out, and we are channeling a devastating hard hit for you. Something to make you an invalid in a wheel chair.The letter was sent with a return address of Mrs. Jacksons sixth-grade class at?Martin Luther King Middle School, and We love you, Mr. Marshall was written on the envelope. Marshall called that a cover to make sure he received the letter.My first reaction was, I was taken aback, actually, Marshall said. I had to read it over again. Did somebody really say this to me?It said, Youre a great player, so I had a smile on my face, and then not. And Im like, whoa. I actually let Shane [Ray] read it after I read it. ... Disgusting, disheartening, deplorable -- you can use a bunch of words for it.The Broncos security staff is investigating the letter.Im not afraid. I turned it over to team security, and well see what happens, Marshall said. Its not going to spook me. Its not going to make me move any different than Ive moved. Its definitely eye-opening.Coach Gary Kubiak said after practice Friday that the organization is on top of it.Marshall responded to the letter in his Instagram post, saying, The hatred by some against people of color is one of the reasons we are where were at in the world today, and they wonder why we feel the way we do and take the stances that we take. I received this letter at work.He said he has received an outpouring of support on Instagram since making his post.I just wanted to show that ... to expose that racism still does exist, Marshall said. A lot of people think, Oh, its over; its not out there, but it really is.I wanted to expose that and that there are people like that and we still have a long way to go as people. I wanted to expose that people still hate each other ... whether its because of your belief system or the color of your skin or just because Im not like you, youre not like me.Marshall took a knee during the national anthem before the Broncos first eight games this season as a response to social injustice, including several shootings of black people by police nationwide. He met with Denvers police chief and has donated money for every tackle he has made this season to organizations that work with youth.He said in November that he intended to stand for the anthem for the remainder of the season but would keep working for positive change.The letter is the second known instance of an NFL player being targeted with racial abuse this week. On Tuesday, New York Giants fullback Nikita Whitlock reported a break-in during which burglars drew a swastika and KKK, as well as the word Trump, on walls inside his home.PJ Tucker Rockets Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Eric Gordon Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authentic-Robert-Horry-Rockets-Jersey/ .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Charles Barkley Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. James Harden Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Having a .500 record midway through the season might not seem like a big deal to most teams, but its a major step forward for the Tennessee Titans.The Titans (4-4) already have exceeded their win total from each of the las two seasons after rolling to a 36-22 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. The Titans finished 3-13 last year and 2-14 in 2014.I think it shows that this teams going in the right direction, Titan coach Mike Mularkey said Friday. Were doing some good things. Last nights probably the first time I can honestly say we had all three phases play well, well enough to win. The results showed it.Mularkey said running back DeMarco Murray underwent an MRI on his toe Friday but added that I dont think its too serious. Murray appeared to hurt the toe late in the second quarter but returned in the second half and ended up with 123 yards.Murray and quarterback Marcus Mariota led a Titans offense that scored on six straight possessions against Jacksonville. On defense, the Titans held Jacksonville in check before allowing two touchdowns in the last 3 + minutes after the game was decided.I think were trying to show people were a different team this year, wide receiver Rishard Matthew said. Were definitely trying to win the division.First they need to play better within the division. The game Thursday is the Titans first AFC South victory after they already had lost at Houston and at home against Indianapolis.But theyre only a half-game behind AFC South leader Houston (4-3). That represents major progress for a franchise that hasnt reached the playoffs since 2008.Tennessees record could be even better if it hadnt let a couple more potential wins slip away.The Titans blew a 10-0 halftime lead in a season-opening 25-16 home loss to Minnesota. They fell 34-26 to Indianapolis at home on Sunday by allowing a go-ahead touchdowwn with less than two minutes remaining.ddddddddddddWeve had chances to win all the games weve been in, Mularkey said. The losses have come down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Weve had chances. Its things weve done that have prevented us from getting over the hump to win those games. Yeah, our record could be better, but you could say that about a lot of teams in this league.Tennessee is benefiting from its offseason efforts to upgrade the rushing attack by acquiring Murray and drafting offensive tackle Jack Conklin in the first round and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry in the second round.The Titans average 152.3 yards rushing per game to rank third in the NFL, behind only Dallas and Buffalo. DeMarco Murray has rushed for 756 yards -- already exceeding his 215 total of 633 with Philadelphia.Mularkey believes that ground attack can be even more productive.When you watch the tape, theres a lot of yards still, to me, that were leaving out there, Mularkey said.Five of the Titans last eight games are on the road -- starting with a Nov. 6 trip to San Diego -- but that might not be such a bad thing. Tennessee is 2-1 on the road and only 2/3 at home this season.Mularkey concedes that we really havent accomplished anything just yet with the season halfway over, but he likes his teams approach. After losing three of their first four games, the Titans have won three of their last four.Im really proud of this football team, Mularkey said. I really enjoy being around this team. They care about each other. I care about them. Its important to them. They care about having each others backs. I think its really important to them, and it shows up on Sundays.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '