So it’s official.

The Denver Broncos can no longer hold Brandon Marshall’s “legal troubles” over his head, in their efforts to avoid paying him.

What it comes down to now, is whether or not Brandon can turn his attention back to the football field and prove that his hip is fully healed after offseason surgery.

If you believe Brandon Marshall, he has said that he is back to 100 percent for the first time in over a year, which should strike fear into the rest of the AFC West.

After all, even without feeling in his right hand, and a bad hip last season, Marshall still dominated, catching 104 passes for over 1,200 yards receiving.

Chances are, Marshall might be the best he has ever been, on and off the football field this year.

Not only will Marshall have his health, but his emotional and mental well being has got to be at an all time high. A tremendous burden has been lifted off his shoulders with the jury’s decision to acquit him of all charges today.

Now, all Marshall has to worry about is his wedding and his future with the Broncos.

So will the Broncos make efforts to repair the rift that has grown between them and their star receiver, or will they try to trade him away?

For the sake of the Broncos’ future relationship with Marshall, I really hope Pat Bowlen will at least sit down with Marshall and his agent again and discuss Brandon’s future with the team. 

I feel that an apology from both sides is definitely in order.

On one side of the coin, Marshall has got to understand that it was a scary proposition for Bowlen to make a big commitment to a player that could be facing a long suspension.

On the other side, Pat Bowlen has got to feel just a little bit guilty that he didn’t show more faith in his all-pro receiver.

He’s had more than his share of troubles, but a lot of those troubles have involved the same person: Rasheeda Watley, who has been described as “angry” and “volatile” by at least two very credible witnesses; a Denver Police Officer, and a counselor the couple visited in Florida

From an outsiders point of view, it seems to me that Marshall’s biggest legal troubles were more a case of extortion than anything else.

In a letter to Marshall from Watley’s former lawyer, she was said to be demanding $500,000…a sum greater than Marshall’s 2008 salary, for her silence.

Thankfully, the drama may have officially come to an end today. Nothing but a football career to worry about for “The Beast”.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

In my perfect world, Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels would meet with Marshall tomorrow, and try to repair their relationship before the season starts.

Do something to make sure the guy doesn’t want to bolt as soon as his contract is up.

You never know, if Marshall can get back in camp and prove that he is healthy during preseason, maybe, just maybe, the Broncos will man up and offer him a decent extension.

I hope so.

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