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NFL hits Broncos' Marshall with three-game suspension

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 5, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.

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Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been suspended by the NFL for three games for violation of the NFL's code of conduct. The penalty can be reduced to two games with counseling.

Photo by David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been suspended by the NFL for three games for violation of the NFL's code of conduct. The penalty can be reduced to two games with counseling.

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The guillotine hovering over Broncos training camp finally fell Tuesday, with receiver Brandon Marshall drawing a three-game suspension from the NFL for violations of its code of conduct.

In a statement, the league said if Marshall fully complies with required counseling and other conditions of the suspension, commissioner Roger Goodell will consider reducing the suspension to two games.

The penalty is subject to appeal.

But barring any changes, Marshall’s suspension would begin on Saturday, Aug. 30. He would be eligible to return Monday, Sept. 22 in preparation for the Sept. 28 game at Kansas City.

Denver’s first three games are at Oakland and home vs. San Diego and New Orleans.

Marshall was arrested three times between March 2007-08.

The rap sheet drew the attention of Goodell, who summoned Marshall to New York in late July to have the player explain the negative pattern of behavior.

Though Marshall has yet to be convicted of a crime, the NFL’s conduct policy states that a conviction isn’t necessary in terms of league discipline since players are “held to a higher standard” and that conduct detrimental to is subject to discipline “even where the conduct itself does not result in a conviction of a crime.”

In March 2007, Marshall was arrested on charges of domestic violence and false imprisonment in Highlands Ranch but the charges later were dropped. A drunken-driving arrest followed in Denver in October. He’s due in court in September on that offense.

Marshall then was arrested again this past March in Atlanta on a misdemeanor battery charge, though the solicitor general’s office in Fulton County, Ga., has not filed formal charges.

There also have been a series of 911 calls that have brought police to Marshall’s various residences in Colorado and Florida and a Georgia hotel since he turned pro in March 2006.

And in June, he was ticketed in Denver on a traffic violation for an illegal lane change and failure to produce a driver’s license or proof of insurance.

“Even though Brandon has made some mistakes, he’s a good kid,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said at the start of training camp. “Obviously it’s a wake-up call and if it’s not ... he won’t be in the National Football League.”

Comments

  • August 5, 2008

    5:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OregonBroncFan writes:

    Ok so Marshall got suspended, just means the rest of the guys need to step up. I do think the suspension should be reduced to 1 game with counseling but I'm not Goodell. I do think though Goodell is a little arbitrary on who he suspends as others have gotten off scott free (Marshawn Lynch).I guess it pays to plead guilty instead of trying to prove your innocence. Anyway this does hurt as the first 2 games are in division but it by no means is a guarantee of 0-2 start.

  • August 5, 2008

    5:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CourtneyBrown98 writes:

    what happened to Matt Jones being F*kin suspended for felony drug charges. No one is saying anything about that!!!

  • August 5, 2008

    6:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Well, it's about time we got word. I think if everything goes the way it is being talked about, Eddie Royal will play in place of Marshall. If we can win our games without Marshall, it makes a very loud statement. Are you listening, Traiters and Dolts?

  • August 5, 2008

    6:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColdShot writes:

    Nip it in the Bud!!!!!

  • August 5, 2008

    6:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jvill writes:

    Fresh writes: marshall has no one to blame but himself. I bet he goes T.O. on the broncos in a year or two.

    Huh? Based on what?

    T.O. is an egotistical nutcase.

    Marshall is a young kid who got busted for behaving immaturely, and has already shown contrition and that he's growing up and dealing with this like a man.

    Not comparable.

    Although their talent might be, and that's damn exciting.

    Eyes on the prize here, people. It's a long season, and BM is a talent with a long career ahead of him.

    Our WR corps this year, even with BM out for 2 games, is still way more talented than last year's when it was BM and Stokes carrying the load. Not to mention a QB who could barely keep from passing out.

    Go Broncos.

  • August 5, 2008

    7:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncofan07 writes:

    I agree, jvill. Also, let's not forget that even though BM makes his own choices to sink or swim, Rod Smith is still going to be an influence on him. Rod has said he will continue to take this guy under his wing even past retirement. If BM did not show improvement, Rod would be the first to set him straight on or off the field.

  • August 5, 2008

    7:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    jvill, well spoken. Remarks like Fresh gave, are the same type of thing you might read in "The Enquirer". What they don't know, they make up or speculate with no true basis for their theory. Just doing a Lincicome imitation.

  • August 5, 2008

    7:26 p.m.

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    ColdShot writes:

    Just curious....how many time do they allow him to fail at getting his personal life together, before he should be held accountable by the team he says he is committed to being a part of?

  • August 5, 2008

    8:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    RickyLee, your favorite team, will be cellar dwellers, just like they were last year. Oh, being that your teams fans aren't that bright, let me spell it out for you. R-A-I-D-E-R-S. L-O-S-E-R-S. RickyLee, we know you really are a Bronco fan, admit it. You spend time on Denver blogs and not Raider blogs. Oh wait, maybe it's because Traiter fans have nothing exciting to write about?

  • August 5, 2008

    8:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    ColdShot, what are you rambling on about? Unless you are stone cold blind, they DIDN'T let him get away with it. Hello, SUSPENSION! Your statement was a waste of space.

  • August 5, 2008

    8:12 p.m.

    ColdShot writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • August 5, 2008

    8:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    That's too bad. It does seem kind of harsh, but I won't deny I'm a homer. The DUI was stupid, but 3 games? He's a good kid. My dad used to tell me, "Mark, it's not that you're dumb, you just do some dumb things." He'll get past this. He's got one heck of a family in the organization.
    Now, am I the only one who thinks this Royal thing is more of a motivator to the veterans than anything?...and maybe also a confidence booster for Royal?
    And irregardless of what has transpired with Marshall, our offense is still overseen by The Mastermind...the man that has never had much problem moving the ball on a consistent basis...the man who orchestrated 2, count 'em 2 straight Super Bowl victories. We'll be just fine for a couple of games. I would say off hand, look for the TEs to have big games. Oh, and we have the best running game around, too.

  • August 5, 2008

    8:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    ColdShot is another tough guy behind a computer with Raider mentality.

  • August 5, 2008

    8:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColdShot writes:

    Nah, i just know a moron when i see one davie..you loser!! its ok ..go to your mommie and let her wipe your snotty nose..you'll feel much better! And you can go get on your knees for your Raiders!

  • August 5, 2008

    11:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kerrdawg writes:

    I don't see why it matters what this guy does in his personal life as long as he preforms on the field and isn't a problem in the locker room. If he commits a crime outside of football, just like if I did outside of my job, then the judicial system will handle it. These owners are treating these players more like slaves then free men working under a contract.