Denver » Far, far away from Atlanta, where the star-crossed receiver he hardly knows is engaged in the trial of his career, Kyle Orton will be in San Francisco making his quarterback debut for the Denver Broncos.

Orton won't be throwing to Brandon Marshall. Not even Jay Cutler can throw it from San Francisco to Atlanta. And the sooner Bronco fans see for themselves that Cutler is long gone, the better Orton's chances, perhaps, of winning over his new town.

"I want to come out and play well, no question," Orton said. "Just get it started right. But it is a preseason game, and we use these to get ready to play well when it really counts."

The Broncos will play their first game of any kind under the leadership of coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Orton tonight against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

It was Cutler's dislike of McDaniels that created arguably the most captivating event of the NFL offseason. The drama concluded with a trade that sent Cutler to Chicago in exchange for Orton and draft picks.

Orton has yet to enjoy having Marshall as a primary receiver. By kickoff tonight, Marshall should know whether his football future has been cleared, or become clear as gunk.

An altercation with former girlfriend Rasheedah Watley on March 4, 2008, has put Marshall on trial in Atlanta on a misdemeanor battery charge. A six-person jury is expected to decide his case today.

While the results of Marshall's trial may have more impact on the Broncos' season than any preseason game, football must carry on.

Which is fine by Orton. At long last, he can throw a pass without Broncos cornerback André Goodman making his move at about the same the time the offense breaks its huddle.

"I'm sick of playing against our defense," said Chris Simms, the Broncos' backup quarterback. "After the first week of camp, they start to get a good feel for what we do. The DBs start to see things and jump it every now and then."

Not that San Francisco cornerbacks Nate Clements and Dré Bly are slouches. But they can't be any tougher than Goodman was during a scrimmage last week at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High. Goodman twice intercepted Orton during the scrimmage, returning the second for a touchdown.

But that didn't count. Now, after 31/2 seasons of Jake Plummer, followed by 21/2 seasons of Cutler, Bronco fans will receive their first impressions of Orton and Simms.

"A first impression helps," Simms said. "But at the same time, it's not the end of the world no matter what happens. But it's cool to be here, to be in a city like this where football is such a No. 1."