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Bailey bullish on Bly

Cornerback says duo is NFL's best but must prove it

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 6, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD - Champ Bailey isn't shying from talk the Broncos possess the league's best pair of starting cornerbacks after the acquisition of Dré Bly.

"If you look at talent, I think we are the best tandem," Bailey said Thursday.

"But it doesn't matter on paper. You've got to go out there and get it done."

Bailey went so far as to say an already good defense is going to be made "great" with Bly playing opposite him. The two have made a combined nine Pro Bowls.

"Based on the last two years, they're going to try him before they try me. I think he knows that," Bailey said. "I think he's looking forward to it. . . . And if he's picking balls, they got to come to my side. There's no way they can avoid me and be successful."

Bailey has made 18 interceptions the past two seasons despite teams testing him infrequently.

During that time, he has grown accustomed to playing off-coverage, a cushion that allows him to peek into the backfield and read the quarterback while still having enough time to react to plays in front of him.

Under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, Bailey and Bly might be called upon to play more "press" coverage.

"If we have to go back and bump a little bit, I'm all for it," Bailey said.

TOUGH TIMES: The late-season collapse in December by the Broncos was doubly painful for tight end Stephen Alexander, who admitted Thursday he played the final 2 1/2 games with broken ribs.

"I've had ankles and shoulders and fingers and ribs and everything," the nine-year veteran said. "But that was the worst thing I've ever played with, or considered playing with."

Alexander was the Broncos' best two-way threat at his position and was needed for the team's stretch run, which ended without a playoff berth for the first time in four years.

"It definitely made me question whether it was worth it or not," he said of playing in pain. "The worst part about it for me was getting into my stance every play. It was horrible. . . . I definitely wasn't the same guy. I was definitely limited in what I could do and how I could play. But I made it."

The physical beating Alexander took last season and cumulatively in his career partially prompted the free-agent addition of Daniel Graham.

Graham's presence likely will limit Alexander's snaps and, the hope is, increase his effectiveness.

But he said if things don't work out - and coach Mike Shanahan has told Alexander there's a place in the offense for him - he's satisfied with the career he has had.

Alexander's health, and the ribs in particular, are a nonissue as he prepares for the season.

"I feel good," he said. "It's bothered me some through the offseason working out. But now I'm able to do everything with no limitations."

RUNNING START: Free-agent pickup Brandon Stokley said several teams, including his former club, Indianapolis, were convinced the recovery time from his ruptured right Achilles' tendon would take much longer than the six- to eight- month timetable set by his doctor.

But 3 1/2 months into his recovery, the receiver is convinced he'll return by the start of training camp and accomplish his primary goal of being 100 percent healed by the Broncos' opener.

"I've only just started running and jogging on it. And right now it's just a process to get that last little bit of strength in it," Stokley said.

"So over the next few months, that's the goal, to get the strength back in my calf and get my explosiveness back."