Brandon Marshall tried to stay out of trouble.

The Broncos' star receiver had been regularly attending counseling classes, right up until last week. Perhaps no one has helped raise more money for the Rev. Leon Kelly's after-school program that helps steer kids away from trouble.

Yet, trouble found Marshall again early Sunday, and it figures to cost him millions and millions of dollars.

"I deal with a lot of guys, a lot of people who have been written off by the system, by family, by friends, whatever," Kelly said. "And I respect the accomplishments and talents that 'B' has a football player. But I'm more concerned about how you are as a person. And I know what B has gone through, and I've seen how far he's developed and matured as a person.

And I've seen his sincerity."

Marshall was arrested for disorderly conduct after an argument in Atlanta with his fiancee Michi Nogami Campbell, who also was charged. Although charges against both were dismissed Monday morning, the arrest itself didn't exactly come at a good time for Marshall.

Never mind the possible suspension Marshall could receive from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a repeat offender of the league's personal-conduct policy. The suspension, by itself, will cut into Marshall's $2.2 million salary this season.

But it's the following season, 2010, where Marshall may have cost himself a financial windfall.

Marshall becomes a victim of the NFL labor disagreement. Because the collective- bargaining agreement has been reopened, Marshall as a fourth-year player will only be eligible for restricted free agency after this season instead of unrestricted free agency, when he can sell himself to the highest bidder.

In an uncapped year, players aren't eligible for free agency until after their sixth year of league service. Given that receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, at 31, just got an $8 million a year contract from Seattle, Marshall, who is only 24, could have easily commanded a $9 million-plus average annual contract from the Broncos to keep him.

Marshall was hoping to work out a contract extension with the Broncos this spring, but the pending ruling by Goodell probably precludes any further negotiation. Instead, the most Marshall would likely make as a restricted free agent in 2010 is about $2.5 million.

There is precedence to suggest Marshall could be facing an eight-game suspension this season. That would cost him half his salary, or $1.1 million, this year and perhaps up to $6 million or $7 million next year if the Broncos continue to control him on a year-to-year basis.

"The way the domestic-violence law is written, discretion is taken out of the hands of the police who are called," Kelly said. "B didn't have a bruise on him, and as big as he is, Michi didn't have a bruise on her. I don't condone violence or striking a woman in any way, shape or form. But to be held for a few hours and released for $300, and the judge to look at the facts and quickly dismiss it — that just doesn't happen. I just pray the league looks at the total picture."


After signing six free-agent defensive starters, the Broncos are going to work on their depth. They will visit Monday night with Cleveland free-agent nickel back Travis Daniels, who will first meet with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. If the Broncos get Daniels, he would compete for the nickel-back position vacated by Karl Paymah, who became a free agent. . . .

Paymah visited Thursday with Baltimore and will meet with at least two more teams next week.

Mike Klis, The Denver Post