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Bears' Marshall excited about new season

Brandon Marshall's first season with the Bears was the most productive by a wide receiver in franchise history, but he thinks he can do better.

At Tuesday's OTA (organized team activity), Marshall practiced for the first time since having arthroscopic surgery in January for a hip problem that has nagged him for years.

He said he's already 100 percent, although he won't be a full participant in next week's mandatory minicamp, the final exercise before the start of training camp July 25.

“He's got full medical clearance,” general manager Phil Emery. “Obviously he was catching the ball very well. He looked good with his feet and his routes. As we build toward vet minicamp next week, it'll be exciting to see him get more reps as he goes.”

The No. 1 concern for Marshall and the Bears is to have him full speed in time for camp and the regular season, coming off 2012's franchise records of 118 receptions and 1,508 yards, including 11 touchdowns.

“I'm excited to see what I can do fully healthy, and also there are some little things that I've been watching on film of myself,” Marshall said. “Every year you get smarter, and you get better. Being healthy and a little bit smarter this year, it's going to be a productive year for me helping the offense out.”

The offense hopes to be more diversified than it was a year ago, when Marshall was targeted on a league-high 39.9 percent of Bears passes. Less dependence on Marshall should help the offense as a whole, which he understands.

“We've got 'Marty' (tight end Martellus Bennett), and a running game. I really like it,” Marshall said. “I'm sure (running back) Matt (Forte) is going to be the center of our offense.

“So, I may have the same amount of targets, I may not. But my only goal is to win. I'd be lying if I said I don't want to be productive, that I don't want to be up there with the best.

“But at the end of the day, if we don't win, none of us will be here. The only thing I'm excited about is playing my part.”

ŸFollow Bob's NFL reports on Twitter @BobLeGere, and check out his Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com/sports.

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Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall catches a pass during the BearsÂ’ NFL football practice Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in Lake Forest, Ill. Marshall returned to the field after his rehabilitation from hip surgery. Associated Press
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