Sauerbrun free to sign with any club

Punter Todd Sauerbrun is an unrestricted free agent after he won an arbitration hearing Wednesday, and can sign with any team, including the Denver Broncos.

Sauerbrun signed a contract offer with the Broncos earlier this month, but the New England Patriots exercised a right of first refusal they included in his contract last year.

Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney who was hired by the NFL Players Association to argue the case, said when the Patriots signed Sauerbrun they didn’t follow proper procedures for the right of first refusal.

According to the collective bargaining agreement, a separate document outlining the right of first refusal must be attached to the contract. The Patriots didn’t do that.

A special master ruled in favor of Sauerbrun.

“The procedures are in crystal clear language and they blew them off,” Kessler said. “That procedure was designed so players wouldn’t be railroaded into giving up their rights.”

Sauerbrun was with the Broncos in 2005, then was cut last season after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Sauerbrun said he tested positive for ephedra.

“He’s very interested in, among other teams, the Denver team,” Kessler said. “Now he’s free to sign with Denver or any other team.”

Trial date for Marshall

Receiver Brandon Marshall’s domestic violence case was set for trial June 7, his lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said after a meeting with Judge Michelle Ann Marker.

Marshall, who had a pretrial conference scheduled for Wednesday at the Douglas County court, also was present.

Marshall was arrested March 26 on suspicion of domestic violence and false imprisonment after having an argument with his girlfriend.

“I think we’ll have this case resolved quickly, in a favorable fashion,” Steinberg said.

Marshall, a second-year player, didn’t speak to reporters on his way out of court. “He’s not allowed to talk,” Steinberg said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com.