LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall shot down the thought Wednesday of any ill feelings remaining between he and former Miami Dolphins teammate Vontae Davis -- whose trade on Aug. 26 to the Indianapolis Colts was caught on HBO's Hard Knocks -- as the two prepare to face one another Sunday in the season opener at Soldier Field.

In fact, the players remain friends.

"Vontae, from Day 1 has always been like a little brother to me," Marshall said. "I respect Vontae a lot. I think he's in a great place now, and I look forward to watching his career blossom, and hopefully he reaches his potential because he can be one of the best corners to play the game."

With the Dolphins mired in an 0-7 record last November, frustrations between Marshall and Davis boiled over resulting in an altercation that involved the receiver throwing a football at the cornerback's face. Reportedly, Marshall criticized Davis for acting unprofessionally before throwing the football in his face, causing teammates to have to restrain the cornerback.

The team made Davis a healthy scratch -- reportedly as punishment for the altercation -- when it faced the Kansas City Chiefs the next game, which interestingly went down as the Dolphins' first victory over the season.

According to a source, Marshall had taken Davis under his wing after the two met and the receiver was trying to help the cornerback become a better professional. Marshall spoke glowingly of Davis, who likely won't face the receiver much on Sunday having just recently joined the Colts.

"They have some great talent on that side of the ball," Marshall said. "Adding Vontae I think definitely increases their ability to make plays. Vontae is a special talent. I think he's in a great place."