August 5, 2008 5:15 PM
Marshall gets 3 games
By Lee Rasizer
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
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 on 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 have also 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."
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