Marshall's recovery on target

Shanahan expecting receiver at full speed come training camp

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 19, 2008 at 10:57 p.m.
Updated May 20, 2008 at 10:53 a.m.

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Photo by Ken Papaleo / The Rocky

Eddie Royal, the Broncos' second-round draft pick, reels in a pass during the first day of quarterback camp at Dove Valley on Monday morning. Royal, a receiver and dangerous returner, finished as Virginia Tech's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage.

Brandon Marshall had the look of a practicing player Monday, from the headband to the windbreaker to the cleats.

Everything looked the part, except for those Zubaz pants, replete with Broncos logos, that could have doubled as pajama bottoms.

"I'm wearing them because I can do this in my sleep," the receiver joked as he exited the field after his team's first passing camp practice.

Dream on. If that were the case, Marshall wouldn't have stayed after the two-hour team workout to run sprints. He wouldn't have participated in the full-squad stretch or the receivers' warm-up period, including running routes.

In fact, Marshall did everything Monday except catch passes, the biggest news to come out of the first day of organized team activities, considering he was wearing a bulky cast and sling in late March after having undergone delicate right forearm surgery.

Coach Mike Shanahan, for one, probably is sleeping better knowing his No. 1 wideout is on track for a training camp return and will be on the field in a more complete capacity late next month.

"June 22 with will be the first day he'll be able to catch the football, so that will give us plenty of time, obviously, before our summer ball," Shanahan said.

The Broncos report for training camp July 24.

"He's running routes like he normally would," Shanahan said. "So for him to be able to do that at this time, barring any setback, he should be able to go full speed."

Marshall didn't want to discuss his recovery except to say it was going "real good."

The original recovery timetable presented by the team was three to four months. The June 22 date would mark exactly three months since Marshall suffered lacerations to an artery, vein, nerve, two tendons and three muscles while allegedly wrestling aggressively with his brother at a Florida resort.

"He's ahead of what I thought initially," Shanahan said of Marshall, who this week will do soft-tissue work and range-of-motion exercises. "I was told he couldn't actually work out until a month before we went to training camp. And we still thought we could get him ready to go for the first practice."

The previous time Marshall met with the media, in late March, his right arm was in a heavy cast above his elbow, complemented by a sling. That contraption was removed in early April and replaced by a splint, which was supposed to stay on for a month.

The splint was removed May 2, and Marshall wasn't wearing any type of brace Monday.

"I saw him out there in cleats and was a little surprised because I didn't think he could do anything for a couple months," Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey said. "That's good. I'm glad things are going well because we're going to need him."

It also provided a mental boost for the team's first official on-field workouts, given Marshall's breakout 2007 season in which he caught 102 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns.

"He's our go-to guy, our No. 1 guy and playmaker out there," receiver Brandon Stokley said. "Every good team needs a guy they can look at and know when you need a play that that guy is going to come up with that play. And he's our guy. It's huge for us. . . . He's back, and it looks like everything is going to go well - that's the most important thing."

ETC.: Running back Travis Henry likely will miss the entire first week of passing camp after pulling a hamstring Friday. According to Shanahan, Henry was doing the last of 16 100-yard sprints when he was injured. Henry likely will be back May 27 at the earliest. In his absence, Selvin Young ascends to No. 1 status, backed up by Andre Hall. . . . Quarterback Jay Cutler's weight is back to 230 pounds, up from a low of 203, since the April 16 diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. . . . Shanahan admitted to some trepidation about offensive lineman Ben Hamilton's ability to remain healthy as he attempts to return from post-concussion symptoms. "You never know. You're keeping your fingers crossed," Shanahan said. "I can't tell you 100 percent he'll be there the entire season. But he's done everything we've asked this offseason." . . . Rookie sixth-rounder Spencer Larsen will play fullback at this camp but will switch to middle linebacker for June's on-field work.

• May 20, 2008

  7:38 a.m.

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  NJBroncosFan writes:

  Good to hear of Marshall's progress, him and Cutler should be a great tandem for many seasons to come

• May 20, 2008

  8:19 a.m.

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  sbhchawk writes:

  having an older rookie who is big on hustle but doesn't posses NFL speed playing FB when his natural position is LB? I thought the speed of the NFL and new terminology was tough enough on those guys. Broncos do need a better power running game but didn't we draft a acutal college FB for that?

• May 20, 2008

  8:49 a.m.

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  R8R_H8R writes:

  Marshall ripped up his arm. He will have a very ordinary, below average season, and at the end of it he will finally admit that his bone-head injury bothered him alot more than he led on during the season. T-Henry and his hamstring will nag him the entire season. This is the makings of a very terrible season. Cutler with the diabetes. A career back up for starting Middle Linebacker.....Geeez! Deny it all you want, but I'm telling you right now this season is over before it starts. Remember the blow-outs last year? The most embarassing season I've ever endured as a Bronco fan(including the Superbowl blow-outs) Get ready for more mediocrity or worse.

• May 20, 2008

  9:19 a.m.

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  BMat writes:

  The high water mark in the AFC West runs thru the middle of downtown San Diego.

  Cutler to Marshall is just not the same level as Philip Rivers to Vincent Jackson (of Northern Colorado fame).

  Marshall can't even make a fist w/his injured hand. I don't care how many sprints and patterns he ran at practice.

• May 20, 2008

  9:58 a.m.

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  COSrunner writes:

  Wow, what a bunch of Debbie Downers. Have some faith, this season may not be great but it's still Broncos football and I love it!

• May 20, 2008

  11:14 a.m.

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  Leiha406 writes:

  You're right, BMat, Cutler to Marshall isn't the same level as Rivers to Jackson. That's because Cutler and Marshall are much better than Rivers and Jackson. I suppose that's why Cutler had a better QB rating than Rivers even though he was working with less. Rivers is just lucky he has such a good supporting cast. If he had to carry his team, he would go down in flames.

• May 20, 2008

  11:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  discer writes:

  Lighten Up everybody it's just entertainment. BTW rivers is a top-drawer idiot. Denver will win another Super Bowl before SanDiego wins their first as long as phill-up is your starting QB. raderhater??????, you don't just hate the Broncos, U hate the game.
  Go Broncos, good luck this season!!

• May 20, 2008

  11:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  RockLobster writes:

  Well now we don't have to bother following the Bronc's this year since R8R_H8R has taken a reading from his crystal ball and has enlightened us all with his findings. I guess that leaves Sunday's open for me to put a dent in that pesky to-do list.

• May 20, 2008

  11:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BMat writes:

  Really Leiha406?

  You mean Cutler was so dang good they failed to gain the division title, failed to earn the wildcard and finished well below .500?

  Working w/less? No question about it. This roster would be bad even in the lowly NFC North.

  But if you thought last year was a good one wait till you see a diabetic QB trying to complete a pass to a one handed reciever. Hard to do w/a small school rookie LT that has never played a down in the NFL. Oh you're gonna love this season all right . . .

  You will be a better fan when you're honest about your team. Lemme guess, you had the Nugz over the Lakers too right?

• May 20, 2008

  12:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  BMat,
  At present the Bronco's have their problems. But so do the Chargers. CAN YOU SAY CHOKERS!!!!!!!

• May 20, 2008

  12:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  BMat(erial girl). I love it! Some people see the glass half full and others see it being half empty. Wonder what group material girl is a member?

• May 20, 2008

  1:51 p.m.

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  R8R_H8R writes:

  The only strong point of Phillip the mouth Rivers is that he has LaDanian Tomlinson, and a stud defense. He is not in the same league, physical skills wise, as Jay Cutler is.

• May 20, 2008

  4:32 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  filmjay2k writes:

  I can't stand reading this garbage anymore. Half you guys just like to rip on your team - why I don't know. You understand the concept of rooting FOR your team? Its almost like you would be disappointed if they had a good year. You keep rooting for a bad year. How about you keep your cr4p to yourselves. Obviously YOUR Broncos suck. But MY broncos have one of the best young QBs in the NFL, the absolute BEST CB in the game, another high quality #1 type CB playing #2, probably the BEST slot receiver in the league, a RB who led the NFL last year before getting hurt, a new OLT who was rated the top OT in the draft by several sports sites (even over Long), a major threat pass rusher in Dumervil, a great LB in Williams who is finally going to get to roam free in the WILL spot, two top 5 talents anchoring the D line now in Robertson and Thomas (would have been top 5 if not for getting kicked off his team in college) a new number two receiver who has been a number one guy for 8 years and played in a superbowl not too long ago, a number one receiver who (if fully recovered) could easily become a top 5 receiver in this league for a long time to come, and a bunch of new guys who are here to replace the old guys YOU WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT LAST YEAR!). Denver has been the winningest team in the NFL during Shanahan's tenure, and you still can't stop b1tch1ng. Just STFU already. Please!

• May 20, 2008

  5:27 p.m.

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  AKuser writes:

  Bmat funny stuff. Comparing Marshall the man who had the 3rd most receptions for a 2nd year player in the history of the NFL to Jackson? Cutler who is established as a top 10 qb and considered the best young qb in the league by scouts and gm's to below average talent Rivers? You are either one hell of a comedian or a newbie NFL fan. Please come back and gloat all over this web site when the Chargers win something other than most overrated team or biggest underachiever. The Chargers and Broncos have both been to 1 AFC title game recently. In Bronco land that is disappointing, in Charger land that is as good as it gets.

• May 20, 2008

  6:49 p.m.

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  myerda00 writes:

  H&R and BMat, you guys post on Chargers web also, so you must be Dolts fans.
  Tell me, how is the defense suspensions going? And when does the Commish suspend Merriman for another steriod issue? Huh?
  Hey how about your QB's tcl only 72% healed huh!
  Now lets talk about your RB quiting last year, and now his buddy relief is gone. He can not carry 20 times a game right!!

  Not take this spanking and get back to SD.

• May 21, 2008

  8:05 a.m.

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  tahosa writes:

  How the Hell did Cutler gain 27 pounds in 4 weeks?

• May 21, 2008

  8:10 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BMat writes:

  You guys are right, my appologies. The Chargers are the worst team in the division - and they SWEPT the donx last year.

  OBTW - Ryan Clady = George Foster. The Broncos will again have fewer wins than Travis Henry has illigitimate Baby Mama's.

  Save this post and read it again in October.

• May 21, 2008

  8:27 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  NJBroncosFan writes:

  Jay Cutler - Pass Yds 3497, TD 20 ,Yds/Game 218.6 ,QB Rating 88.1

  Philip Rivers - Pass Yds 3152, TD 21, Yds/Game 197.0, QB Rating82.4

  Similar stats but Cutler had a limited supporting cast and an undiagnosed illness.

  Vincent Jackson Rec Yds 623, Yds/Game 38.9 ,TD 3

  Brandon Marshall Rec Yds 1325, Yds/Game 82.8,TD 7

  hhmmmmmmm thats strange Jackson didnt even tally half the statistics Marshall did yet hes still better than Marshall in some people's eyes, i would love to see some supporting evidence, hmmm oh wait Jackson may have had more dropped passes than Marshall, theres a award for that right?

• May 21, 2008

  9:52 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BMat writes:

  Jackson caught more passes in the AFC title game than Marshall and led the NFL in post season yards recieving. The Donx already know this b/c they watched the whole thing on TV.

  Why do Donx fans keep pointing out Cutler's pitiful supporting cast?

  Doesn't that reflect badly on the guy who drafted Maurice Clarett and Ashley Lelie, then signed the Rice brothers (Jerry and Simeon)?

  With friends like you who needs enema's?!

• May 21, 2008

  2:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  aragornzxl writes:

  BMat and R8R_H8R,
  Let me ask you a question, do you have a job?
  It doesnt seem so because you guys spent every waking moment on RMN and ramble on about how the Broncos suck. If you are seriously that frustrated with the Broncos this year, fine, the rest of the posters on DP and RMN and I have no objections. Why dont you just click on the "x" located on the top right corner of your browser and do not watch any games, nor DISCUSS anything on the internet regarding the Bronco. It would save us true fans a lot of grief, not to mention a lot of time regarding to this garbage.
  BMAT: Your comparison btween Rivers and Cutler is absolutely disgusting. 99% of the NFL will tell you the charger's success was LT's work, not rivers, and certainly not Jackson. Sure, they seemed to be in sync last season against the Broncos, but then who wouldnt be, when you stack up 8 in the box trying to limit LT to less than 10 yards per carry? Cutler has been battling Diabetes last season, and I for one, didnt notice his play drop, did you? Imagine how good he would be if he was healthy. I am not trying to say that the BRONCOS are better than the Colts, Pats, Chargers ad co, but I am saying that the BRONCOS are my team, they have been my team for many years, and they will remain my team even if they got T.O. My point is if you are going to critize the Broncos that much, please do us a favor and lock the doors when you vent. If you think you are ranting for the right reasons, then please, apply for a position within the Broncos organization. We, for one, will be happy to be rid of you. Good Day

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