BRoncos await NFL decision

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jul 25, 2008 | by FRANK SCHWAB

ENGLEWOOD - Rod Smith went with Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall to a meeting in New York with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week, and hoped Marshall would not be suspended for some off-field incidents.

"I pray he doesn't," Smith said. "I honestly believe he has a great direction in his life. We've talked about some of the things he's doing now that are different than he was doing at this time a year ago."

Smith's endorsement might not help Marshall avoid suspension. The NFL has toughened its conduct policy and Marshall has had at least three arrests since the start of 2007, including a pending case for a charge of driving under the influence last October.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he didn't know if Marshall would be suspended, although he expected to hear something in the next week. Goodell has sent messages to other players who have gotten in trouble off the field.

"You're always concerned anytime the commissioner calls you in to have a meeting," Shanahan said. "It's obviously not a good sign.

"Obviously it's a wake-up call. If it's not a wake-up call he won't be in the National Football League."

In 2000 Smith pleaded guilty to verbal harassment of a girlfriend and was ordered to attend 36 weeks of domestic-violence counseling sessions. Smith, who has been mentoring Marshall, said he needed to learn some lessons.

"He's going to learn and he's going to grow," Smith said. "Everybody goes through tough times. I had the same thing happen to me."

Shanahan said Marshall's injured right arm, which kept him from catching passes from mid-March to mid-June, is 100 percent and he will be ready for practice today.

Royal in, no Clady yet

The Broncos signed secondround pick Eddie Royal, but first-round pick Ryan Clady was unsigned as of Thursday night. Shanahan figured Clady, an oflensive tackle, would be signed before the team's first practice this morning. Clady is Denver's only unsigned draft pick.

"Nothing's guaranteed but I'd be surprised if he's not at our meeting in the morning," Shanahan said.

Lighter practice

The Broncos' roster limit is 80 players, down from normal years in camp when NFL Europa exemptions would allow teams to carry about 90 players. Because of that, Shanahan said all of the team's afternoon practices in camp will be half-speed "jogthroughs," to avoid injuries.

"I believe if we went two practices a day with 80 players you'd quickly be down to 65 with a rash of injuries and set your program back," Shanahan said.

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ContaCt the writer: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com