ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos' quarterback camp ended with wide receiver Brandon Marshall making a bold prediction.
"I'm hoping and I'm working to have another 100-ball season," Marshall said Thursday. "I'm there mentally and physically right now."
Marshall's goal might have seemed optimistic in March, when he cut an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in his right arm in an accident at a resort in Orlando, Fla. There was concern he would miss the start of training camp on July 24, but Marshall said his right arm has gotten stronger.
"I feel pretty good," he said after the team's final workout of the three-week camp. "I still have nerve damage, but I'm still going to catch a hundred balls."
Marshall spent the camp working on his strength and running routes.
"My right hand is not as strong. That's the only thing," Marshall said. "The good thing about it is I have a lot of time left."
The next test is catching hard throws.
"He's full speed," coach Mike Shanahan said. "He'll be ready to practice, catch the ball June 22. He's getting in much better shape."
"I can't wait until that day comes," Marshall said. "We don't want any setbacks."
Marshall wants to build on his breakout season of 2007, his second, in which he caught 102 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns and emerged as the team's No. 1 receiver.
With the addition of veteran receivers Darrell Jackson, Samie Parker and Keary Colbert, Marshall thinks the Broncos' offense could chase what he called the New England Patriots' offensive chemistry last year.
"With our offense and our coaches, the sky's the limit for any of us receivers on this team," he said.
"Last year I thought we had a great group, but this year it seems so much stronger. We don't have any selfish guys on the team and everyone knows their role and what they need to do to get us to where we want to be."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
