A day after the Denver Broncos' talented but troubled Brandon Marshall was suspended for three games by commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct code, the wide receiver sidestepped several questions about the matter, including whether he felt he needed counseling, which the league suggested.

His suspension could be cut to two games if he has counseling and meets other conditions, which the league didn't specify.

"Brandon is not a bad guy, at all," quarterback Jay Cutler insisted. "It's just he's been in some sticky situations, some things he probably shouldn't get into. ... I think it definitely hit home with this. I don't expect Brandon to be in any more situations like that for the rest of his career and probably for the rest of his life."

Marshall was arrested three times in a yearlong span beginning in March 2007. He's due in court next month for a drunken driving trial and has had two domestic disputes, one of which has been dismissed and another that has yet to produce a formal charge. The league doesn't require convictions for the commissioner to suspend a player.

Marshall seems to have learned his lesson, coach Mike Shanahan said. "I just see him growing day by day, and he understands what it means to be a leader as an athlete, to be a leader in the community, help kids. He wants to do those type of things."

Marshall's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, who successfully fought the NFL last year over Travis Henry's positive marijuana test, said he will appeal the punishment.

Marshall declined to say if he felt the penalty was heavy-handed or unwarranted. "You know what, it doesn't matter. It's in the past and all I can do is worry about now. I can't worry about yesterday."

If his suspension is upheld, Marshall will miss games against AFC West rivals Oakland and San Diego, and possibly one against New Orleans. Based on his $445,000 salary, Marshall would forfeit $52,352 for two games or $78,529 for three.

Bengals

Linebacker Keith Rivers was in training camp yesterday, ending a 10-day holdout. The team's top pick promptly made a rookie mistake -- he did the wrong exercise (jumping jacks) at the end of calisthenics, drawing a round of boos from teammates. "It shows I haven't been here for a while," said Rivers, who participated in a mandatory minicamp in June. Rivers signed a five-year contract Tuesday night, missing 12 practices because of his holdout.