mArSHAll'S 3-gAmE SuSpENSioN offiCiAl

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 6, 2008 | by FRANk schwAB

ENGLEWOOD The NFL announced Tuesday night that wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been suspended for three games.

Marshall, who flew to New York about a week before training camp to discuss some off-field incidents with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, has the chance to reduce his suspension to two games if he completes required counseling. Harvey Steinberg, Marshall's lawyer, was upset that he was not informed about the suspension before it was an--- nounced.

"Class organization, huh?" Steinberg said, referring to the NFL. "One would have thought we would know first."

Steinberg said Marshall, who has been arrested three times since the start of the 2007 season, was trying to deal with the announcement.

"Obviously it's very difficult, and he's looking forward to the appeal," Steinberg said.

Steinberg said he did not know if the appeal process could delay the suspension to later in the season. He said the timing of the appeal would depend on scheduling.

Denver plays division rivals Oakland and San Diego the first two weeks of the season. The third game is against New Orleans. If there is no change with the suspension, it will start Aug. 30. Marshall can report back to the team the day after the final game of his suspension. Marshall can participate in all preseason practices and games.

Steinberg expressed concern about the appeals process. Goodell handed down the suspension, and he will hear the appeal. Steinberg said he hoped to get a fair appeal.

"If truth, justice and the American way prevail, we will," Steinberg said.

The NFL announced the suspension just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, right after the Broncos' special teams practice ended and media availability to coaches and players was over. NFL Network and NFL.com reported the three-game suspension was coming Sunday.

A team spokesman said the Broncos would have no comment on Tuesday, and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan would speak at his normal time after practice this morning.

Tight end Tony Scheffler said after the Tuesday morning practice that the team would miss Marshall, who caught 102 passes last year and is having a fantastic training camp, if he was suspended.

"If you look at Brandon out there, he's making five or six plays every practice so he's definitely our go-to guy," Scheffler said. "We're going to miss him those first couple games, but we've got guys that can step up.

"We've got veterans in Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson and young Eddie Royal, who is having a great camp, so we have guys that are going to step up and once Brandon gets back it's full speed ahead."