Broncos' Marshall faces battery charge in Georgia

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Prosecutors in Georgia have filed two counts of simple battery against Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall stemming from a 6-month-old domestic violence complaint.

The charges were filed Sept. 10 in Fulton County State Court. Police allege Marshall threw his ex-girlfriend on a bed, slapped her and damaged an Atlanta apartment on March 4.

Marshall said Thursday he had been waiting for charges to be filed, but it wasn't clear why they came so long after the complaint.

"Like I said before, that's my past," he said.

"Everything that came out in camp was from last year and there was an incident in March, but that's still an open case and we've been waiting six months for those charges to be filed," he said.

"And it's finally here and that's why I have [attorney] Harvey Steinberg for," Marshall said.

Steinberg was in court and didn't immediately return a message. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan declined to comment.

Marshall was arrested March 6 on a domestic violence warrant requested by the former girlfriend. He was released the next day after posting $1,000 bond.

Marshall

It was his third arrest in about a year.

In March 2007, he was arrested in Douglas County, south of Denver, when a woman identified as his girlfriend said he used his vehicle to block her taxi as she tried to leave after an argument. That case was dismissed.

In October 2007, he was arrested in Denver on suspicion of driving under the influence. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while ability-impaired last week and was sentenced to a year of probation.

The arrests caught the attention of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who met with Marshall in August and then suspended him for three games. That was later reduced to one game, the Broncos' season opener at Oakland.

Marshall bounced back against San Diego last Sunday with a club-record 18-catch game. He had 166 yards and a touchdown, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

"I'm excited about this year, footballwise and my career and excited at the direction I'm going in as a person and as an organization," Marshall said. "I'm happy right now."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was aware of the allegations in the Atlanta incident at the time it suspended Marshall, prior to the start of this season. He added that Marshall could face more disciplinary action from the league, depending on the outcome of the case.

"We have been aware of these potential charges," Aiello said. "We will continue to monitor the case and review it under our policy as appropriate."

Marshall played Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, catching 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' controversial come-from-behind win.

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Browns wideout Edwards questionable for Sunday

CLEVELAND -- Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards was limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Baltimore.

Edwards, who has had a rough start to the season with five drops for the 0-2 Browns, is dealing with an injured shoulder.

It's likely the Browns will be without guard Eric Steinbach, who strained his shoulder in last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, and linebacker Willie McGinest (hamstring). Both missed their third straight day of practice Friday.

Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps), who has yet to play in a game for Cleveland, missed practice again and is questionable.

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LT returns to practice, still questionable vs. Jets

SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson returned to practice in a limited role Friday and is listed as questionable for the San Diego Chargers' game against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Tomlinson, who jammed his right big toe in the season-opening loss to Carolina, missed practice the previous two days.

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"It went OK," Tomlinson said. "I did what I wanted to do. I didn't expect to do full participation but I wanted to get out and do some stuff running the football. It definitely is a lot better than last week. That's the exciting part about it.

"But at that same time, I'm going to be realistic about it. I'm pretty sure on Monday, I'll probably still have a little problem with it but it will be a week better."

Tomlinson aggravated the toe during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Denver. Reserve Darren Sproles started the second half, though Tomlinson did see limited action during the final two quarters.

Coach Norv Turner said Tomlinson was "limited" during Friday's practice. Turner said he isn't sure how much Tomlinson will be able to contribute.

"I don't think you know until you get into the game, and that's why you have to have flexibility in your plan," the coach said.

One thing working in Tomlinson's favor is an extra day of recovery time.

"It will give me some more time. That's why I definitely think I'll feel a lot better," Tomlinson said. "What's the percentage? I'm not sure. We'll have to wait and see."

The Chargers also listed left tackle Marcus McNeill as questionable. McNeill missed each of the first two games because of a neck injury.

Center Nick Hardwick (foot) will miss his third straight game.

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Businessman withdraws offer to purchase Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- A billionaire businessman is withdrawing his offer to buy a majority stake of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stanley Druckenmiller issued a statement Thursday night saying it has become clear to him that the Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, needs more time to consider its options about the future ownership of the team.

The Rooney family approached Druckenmiller seven months ago about buying their shares to help resolve estate planning and NFL ownership matters. At least three of the five Rooney brothers, sons of team founder Art Rooney Sr., want to sell their equal shares.

The NFL also wants one owner to control at least 30 percent of the team.

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Thigpen set to start at QB for Chiefs vs. Falcons

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Tyler Thigpen, the first player from Coastal Carolina selected in the NFL draft, will be the first to start at quarterback.

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The 24-year-old Thigpen will be under center on Sunday for Kansas City when the Chiefs go to Atlanta. It will be exactly 11 months after the struggling young Chiefs (0-2) last won a game.

A 23-8 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, in which Thigpen came off the bench and finished 14-for-33, was their 11th straight regular-season defeat.

"For what we're trying to do, I think he can do a good job of it," coach Herm Edwards said. "He'll be limited in some things but we want to take a look at him."

After coming in for Damon Huard against Oakland, Thigpen looked every bit like the inexperienced second-year pro that he is and sent several passes glancing off the hands of defensive backs.

But he appeared to settle down and eventually hit tight end Tony Gonzalez with a short touchdown pass and converted the two-point conversion. He also threw an interception and finished 14-for-33 for 151 yards.

"He's another young player, a quarterback we want to look at, see where he's at. If he struggles, obviously Damon comes in," Edwards said.

Brodie Croyle, the strong-armed but injury-prone young quarterback the Chiefs are hoping to build around, has a separated shoulder and will be out at least one more week and possibly more. Huard, a 12-year veteran and the only quarterback in Kansas City who has won in the NFL, made the start against the Raiders but came out in the first half with a sore neck.

Now Huard is OK, but Thigpen will join several inexperienced young Chiefs who are getting a cram course in the NFL.

"We're trying to look at young players, it's part of the process," Edwards said. "Is [Thigpen] a two? Is he a one? Is he always going to be a three? You don't know until they play, until they have an opportunity to play."

With 15 rookies and 32 players of three years of experience or less, the Chiefs are the NFL's youngest team. Branden Albert, a rookie, will start at left tackle and be tasked with protecting Thigpen from Atlanta's John Abraham, who has four sacks in two games. Both starting cornerbacks and a starting defensive tackle are also rookies.

The more seasoned Huard would seem to provide a better opportunity for victory. But Edwards bristled at the suggestion the Chiefs have decided to sacrifice wins in order to develop young players.

"We're not trying to discard the season. We're not trying to not win any football games," he said.

"We're the youngest team in football. We know that. But we're trying to develop our plan. We're trying to build a football team, and it's hard. It's not a lot of fun. We're going to try to beat the Falcons. We feel with what we're trying to do this week, we'll have a great chance to be successful."

Thigpen helped Coastal Carolina launch its Football Championship Subdivision program. In 41 games with the Chanticleers, he completed 486-of-879 passes for 6,598 yards, with 53 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He was the first player from his school selected as a consensus All-American.

Drafted by Minnesota in the seventh round in 2007, he was claimed off waivers and threw only six passes for the Chiefs last season, completing two. This year during the preseason, he was 25-of-54 for 282 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions.

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Vikings name Frerotte starter for rest of season

The Minnesota Vikings, with an 0-2 start to the season, are turning to veteran Gus Frerotte to bring them out of the hole.

No coach had more faith in his quarterback than coach Brad Childress had in Tarvaris Jackson, who has made 16 career starts. But Childress named Frerotte the starter for the remainder of the season, announcing the decision at his Wednesday media availability.

"I'm just not seeing right now the aggressiveness from Tarvaris that I saw throughout the offseason, training camp, the two preseason games that he played in," Childress said. "And part of it may be experience. I know Gus will give us that. And I know his approach will also lend itself to that."

Jackson was 8-4 as a starter last season, even though he completed only 58.2 percent of his passes and had a 70.8 quarterback rating.

This season started even slower for Jackson. He completed only 30 of 59 passes for 308 yards in two games, in an offense that is ranked 24th in the league in passing despite a strong running game from Adrian Peterson.

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"I wish I had more time, but it's Coach's decision," Jackson said. "I don't want all my work to go to waste. I felt like I've come this far and I've worked so hard to get to where I am now and I'm going to continue to work hard and keep trying to get better and take it one day at a time. Whatever happens, happens."

Jackson has been playing with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, an injury that forced him at times to wear a brace. In the season opener, a 24-19 loss to Green Bay, he threw a game-ending interception that sealed the Packers' victory.

Vikings fans booed him throughout Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts when the Vikings, despite a 160-yard rushing day by Peterson, had to settle for five field goals.

"I know there's many other plays, there's a lot of other people that have to step up," Childress said. "But then when you go back through and look at the tape, and most importantly be able to sit across from the young man and want to be able to verify what you're feeling -- it's kind of like looking in your kids' eyes and saying one [thing] and feeling another."

It's an abrupt and drastic move for a team that entered the season with sky-high expectations after spending $60 million in guaranteed money to position itself as an NFC contender.

Only two weeks in, the Vikings already are two games behind NFC North-leading Green Bay with games against Carolina, at Tennessee and at New Orleans coming up.

Frerotte

"We're 0-2 right now, and the key thing, probably one of the reasons Coach made the decision, was maybe because we need to get something to get us over the hump to get us a win," Frerotte said.

With a tough home game coming up against the Carolina Panthers, Childress decided to go with the strong-armed Frerotte. Frerotte, 37, is in his 15th season, and spent the past two seasons as a backup in St. Louis.

"I was very surprised," receiver Bobby Wade said. "I didn't anticipate that. Obviously it's the coach's decision and the administration's decision and we have to run with that."

Frerotte was signed in the offseason to be Jackson's backup, but now finds himself trying to turn around a team that had high expectations.

"I can't say that it was a shock, because I've been playing for a long time," Frerotte said. "I've been through a lot of shocking moments in my time, so nothing really shocks me anymore. It's obviously something Coach wanted to do."

Frerotte has been with seven teams, but this is his second tour with the Vikings, having spent 2003 and 2004 in Minnesota.

Frerotte has completed 54.2 percent of his passes during his career for 19,134 yards and a 74.3 quarterback rating. He's 37-44-1 as a starter.

"I've never been part of a team where a quarterback was benched that early on," said Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, whose Panthers play at the Metrodome on Sunday. "But it can be a spark to a team."

Frerotte showed in training camp this year that his arm still has plenty of juice in it. Wade said the playbook may open up with a veteran in there, as opposed to a player who has had only 16 total starts.

"I think the coach was keeping it limited for a reason, obviously not to try to put too much on a young player and trying to get a guy more comfortable and more confident," Wade said. "You might see some things change this week with Gus back there."

Childress said that barring injury, Frerotte will be the quarterback for the rest of the season. However, Childress added he hasn't given up on the 25-year-old Jackson as an option for the team's long term.

"While I know he doesn't like it, I'd worry about him if he did like it," Childress said. "I know he'll make the most of it."

Said Jackson: "I could easily hold my head low, keep my head down, you know, be a cancer to the team. I'm still frustrated and mad about the situation, but I'm going to use that as motivation to try to get better and just better myself for the future."

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Milloy welcomes teammates' support after arrest

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Lawyer Milloy said Wednesday he was glad to be with his teammates for the Atlanta Falcons' first practice since his DUI arrest early Monday.

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"I think I need to be here," Milloy said as he talked with reporters for the first time since the arrest in suburban Atlanta, only hours after the Falcons returned from a loss at Tampa Bay.

"It's been tough just sitting at home and thinking about everything," Milloy said. "Once I got here and saw my teammates, I think they realized they need to be here for me like I've been here for them."

Gwinnett County police charged the 34-year-old Milloy with driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. Milloy was booked into the jail at 4:35 a.m. Monday and posted a bond of more than $1,600 about five hours later.

Attorney Manny Arora said Wednesday he has advised Milloy not to comment on specifics of the arrest.

Milloy told officers he was returning from a strip club, according to the police incident report.

Milloy, driving a 2006 Range Rover, was clocked at 77 mph in a 55 mph zone on Interstate 85. He was tested for "more than .08 percent" alcohol in his blood, according to the report.

"I apologized Monday to my teammates and tried to explain to them everything that went on," Milloy said. "It was a situation and if it happened to me it could happen to anybody. That's what I did Monday and then I went home and tried to explain it to my family."

Milloy leads the Falcons, who play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, with 13 solo tackles and an interception. He has been considered a leader off the field.

"We've got a lot of young players on this team," Milloy said. "I've been trying to lead by example.

Milloy

"This is my last year on my contract. I've got 14 weeks left here and I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing the first two weeks, lead by example on the field and use them to help me get through this. ... They've rallied behind me and had a lot of encouraging words," he said.

Defensive end John Abraham, who had a 2003 drunken-driving arrest while playing for the New York Jets, said the key for Milloy will be how he responds to the arrest.

"I went through a situation myself, so I talked to him about how it is," Abraham said. "I just told him he just needs to do the right thing from now on and he'll be OK. He's a grown man. Everybody makes mistakes. It's about how you turn around from it. I think he'll come back the right way."

Milloy issued an apology through his attorney on Monday, and he again apologized on Wednesday to his family, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, general manger Thomas Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and Falcons fans.

Falcons players say they support Milloy.

"Those are personal issues and as a teammate you don't ever get involved in that," said linebacker Keith Brooking. "You let him know that you're there for him if he needs support in whatever way, and that's what teammates are about."

On Monday, Smith said the Falcons were "extremely disappointed" in the arrest, which the coach called "something that is completely unacceptable."

Milloy was with the first-team defense in Wednesday's practice.

"I thought it was a great practice, not just for Lawyer but for all of our guys," Smith said.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Milloy helped the New England Patriots win their first Super Bowl in February 2002. He played three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before signing a three-year, $6 million deal with Atlanta before the 2006 season.

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