Broncos report: Bailey 'better,' wants to play

Cornerback has missed seven games

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 18, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.

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Photo by Joe Mahoney / The Rocky

Champ Bailey

Photo by Joe Mahoney / The Rocky

Brett Kern

Barring a late setback, Champ Bailey finally might be ready to return to the Broncos lineup after a seven-game absence because of a severe groin injury.

The eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback still is listed as a limited participant in practice.

But Bailey said Thursday he was able to do more at practice the past few days than he had done the past several weeks and was planning on increasing his workload further today.

"I feel better than I did last week, so there's a very good chance I'll be out there as long as everything goes smoothly this week and I keep improving," he said.

Bailey was hurt in the Oct. 20 game at New England while backpedaling in zone coverage.

He's explained previously the groin muscle tore from the bone. He has been able to run extensively on the treadmill to try to regain his wind while doing some drills in practice.

The biggest obstacle keeping Bailey out of the lineup has been confidence making the types of sudden movements that are pivotal in his position.

"That's what I've been worried about, going laterally - cutting, stopping and going. I couldn't do that for a long time," he said. "Now that that's getting better, I'm getting more confident I can play."

Left tackle Ryan Clady (ankle), right guard Chris Kuper (hand), safety Vernon Fox (concussion) and receiver Brandon Stokley (heel) sat out a second straight day of practice.

Kuper indicated he'll try to return to practice today with designs on wearing a ball cast on his injured left hand and playing Sunday.

Clady's availability today remains unclear.

Getting his kicks

Even with all the plaudits directed at the Broncos' productive rookies this season, Brett Kern quietly has put together a solid season.

Kern ranks fifth in the NFL in gross average at 47 yards among punters with at least 25 attempts. With a solid finish, he's in line for the best gross punting average in Broncos history, breaking Tom Rouen's 1998 mark (46.9).

"I struggled a little bit early in the season, but the thing is it always gets harder towards the end of the season, when the weather changes," said Kern, who was signed out of Toledo as an undrafted free agent.

"But I feel like I've really improved from the beginning of the season until now, which is really the opposite."

Kern says his early-season issues stemmed from being overanxious. He says that affected his timing on his drops.

But Kern began to settle down when he averaged 48.6 yards on five punts in the Oct. 20 New England game.

In rainy, windy conditions in Week 12, he placed four of his five punts inside the 20-yard line in a road win against the New York Jets, boosting his confidence.

"Since then, I really have been able to see the ball and get the rhythm down," he said.

Kern has placed 13 attempts inside the 20 with only four touchbacks. But his 44 punts are among the fewest in the league.

One slight disappointment for Kern is that his 38-yard net average is 13th in the league, skewed by an 89-yard return for a touchdown on Nov. 23 by Oakland's Johnnie Lee Higgins. That average falls short of his lone preseason goal: a 40-yard net.

Otherwise, he has been able to step in and immediately build upon his college career, in which he averaged 42.3 yards in 47 career games.

"I didn't give up," Kern said. "I knew I could go out there and perform and that I belonged in this league. I just had to kind of calm down a little bit and go back to what I'd practiced week in and week out."

Brrrr-oncos

The Bills figure to have some of the discomforts of home Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Though the weather forecast calls for sunny skies, there could be extreme cold.

The high calls for a temperature range between 5 to 15 degrees. With a 2:05 p.m. start, the temperature should fall somewhere in between.

There's a 10 percent chance for precipitation and winds of about 7 mph expected.

Buffalo has spent the week practicing in similar conditions and might have a built-in advantage, given its normal winter climate.

"If you look at the experience we have, you'd like to say yes, but still, it affects everyone," Bills quarterback Trent Edwards said.

"I think some guys develop a thicker skin and can handle the weather by playing in it. But still, during games it can get colder and colder and windier and windier. It's something you can't prepare for when weather conditions are like that. But we like to think we do handle it well here in Buffalo."

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan called the prospect of frigid conditions part of the game.

"It's more mental than it is physical," he said. "If you say you hate the cold and you don't want to be out there, then it is miserable."

Etc.

* At 6-0, the Broncos are one of three teams with a perfect record with an even or positive turnover margin, along with Indianapolis (8-0) and Arizona (7-0).

* Buffalo is looking to complete a season sweep against the AFC West. The Broncos were in a similar position Sunday against the NFC South but lost in Carolina.

* If Denver wins or San Diego loses Sunday, it will complete only the fifth wire-to-wire division title. The others: the 1985 Los Angeles Rams (NFC West); 2004 Atlanta Falcons (NFC South); 2007 New England Patriots (AFC East) and 2008 Tennessee Titans (AFC South).

He said it

"I think they canceled that game. I think the San Diego-Tampa game's been canceled. So for in order for us to win, we have to beat Buffalo."

Brandon Marshall, receiver, on the other half of the Broncos' two-tiered scenario that could push them into the playoffs.

Looking ahead

The Broncos not only would wrap up the AFC West with a win or San Diego loss, its 2009 schedule of opponents essentially would be set:

*AFC East winner

• December 18, 2008

  9:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Tough, tough schedule. We better get our D rebuilt, next year. For now, let's just concentrate on supporting the Broncos for this year.

• December 19, 2008

  12:18 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Omahas_Bronco_Fan writes:

  I had a feeling the NFC East was coming up next year, but the AFC North too?! We should be fine, but gee whiz...

• December 19, 2008

  5:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  That sure is a tough schedule for next year. How come Denver never gets the type of cake schedules teams like Indianapolis seem to get every year?

  I still find it unbelievable that not a single Bronco offensive lineman made the Pro-Bowl squad. That, and the fact that Brett Favre did make it, just goes to show what a sham the Pro-Bowl selection process is.

  We sure do need a win this week. Hopefully Brandon Marshall won't be dropping passes and our special teams can keep the Bills in check.

• December 19, 2008

  5:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BlueSky writes:

  For next year, we could use some miracle like we did in the SD game ...... Will take that every time it's handed to us, regardless of what the Chargers think.

• December 19, 2008

  6:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Winthrop writes:

  Hate to be Mr Dooms-day, but the Bronc's have a tendency to make young QB's look good.
  Edwards should have a field day throwing at Bly; maybe Champ can play both sides.
  Did they ever get Bly's head pulled out from his shoulders; he must be 6 inches shorter from last weeks stiff-arm.
  Great schedule next year for the Bronc's to find out just what they've made of.

• December 19, 2008

  8:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  baylinorcrush writes:

  Wow, what a killer 2009 schedule that would be. Of course that is if all those teams are as good next year as they are this year, which these days never happens in the NFL, a couple of these top teams will be in the cellar next year, that's pretty much a guarantee.

  Great to see Brandon's attitude towards the San Diego-Tampa game. That young man is growing up much faster than expected.

  If they love cold weather so much in Buffalo, why are they starting to play games in a dome in Toronto?

• December 19, 2008

  9:02 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  maverick7 writes:

  That is a brutal schedule for 09, although if you look at records right now, 9 of the 16 games are against teams with losing records. I know, I know next year is a different story. SD is under performing, KC will be better, Oak...uh nevermind. Clev&Cinci are probably going to be better than this year, but Clev will have a new coach maybe Cinci too. Wash is kind of like Dallas light, with Portis being TO for the Skins. If that game is late in the season the skins will have too much drama to deal with.
  With that said, the schedule will be very demanding...The Orange Crush will return! but first get rid of Bly!
  One other thing, have anyone else noticed that reporters always go to Bly in the lockerroom or at practice, does he have a sign on his locker that says, "come talk to me, but don't ask any questions about my proformance"

• December 19, 2008

  9:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  baylinorcrush writes:

  Maverick, you probably meant "my poorformance", I mean "performance". Sorry, Dre.

• December 19, 2008

  1:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  orangealways writes:

  Shanny needs to show that schedule to the team. If that dosen't make them realize the importance of Sunday and prove that this year is a gift opportunity that may not come along again, not much else will. Brutal next year.

• December 19, 2008

  3:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  clstemp15 writes:

  It's time to roll champ up to safety and let him ball hawk all he wants. Drop bly and put the rooks on islands...lets play some D. I hope slowik reads this because then he will realize to put woodyard on the strong side and let him run with the te's, winborn in the middle and dj on the quick (weak) side. Pat get the check book out for Sgt. Peppers and Albert "i will crush that pimple on your forehead with my cleat" haynsworth. And much adieu to Selvin, darrell, mr. bly, mccree, and that other worthless safety.

  Go broncos

• December 19, 2008

  3:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PDXBroncos writes:

  Wow, nasty schedule. However, Denver seems to have played very well for the most part as underdogs. Also, as we found out this season, a team that is called a favorite in the preseason can easily be among the bottom. And vice-versa, of course. Anyone remind Miami and Atlanta how bad they are supposed to be? And how about that Cinci offense and San Diego defense?

  For a guy like me out here in the NW, any chance for a primetime matchup against popular teams is a good thing! Seems Seattle more often than not has the same time slot as Denver, so I usually get screwed by the network. This is Portland, not Seattle! Go away lame seagulls! Arggg, Direct TV next season it is.

  Anyway, I am going to a bar for Sunday's game. Breakfast, beer, bloody marys and BRONCOS!

• December 19, 2008

  3:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  baylinorcrush writes:

  clstemp, that would be Manuel Marquand. I believe you forgot Karl "pay-me-less" Paymah in your list.

• December 19, 2008

  4:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  tonyfromjersey writes:

  Buffalo can be tough, by all rights they beat up the NY Jets last week and should have won that game. I still say the Broncos will be better off with another season under their belts before they talk about the playoffs. I mean lets face it, do you really want to get smoked 45-7 by Indy again?

• December 20, 2008

  1:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  It never seems to matter as to the outcome in seeing how we've owned you but why do my Giants always have to come here? Our beer, hotdogs, brats etc. back there are just as appetizing as they are here. Yeah I know I opened myself up for the slings and arrows so have at it. Being from back there gives one a thick skin.

• December 20, 2008

  7:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Tonyfromjersey win or lose, yes, many of us would like to see Denver in the playoffs again. Doesn't matter if it's Indy, Ravens, whatever. Nobody knows for certainty how it will turn out? Not you, not me, not anyone. But a fan will cheer them on and hope for the best. No fan should wish they miss the playoffs and wait another year? The experience they will get is invaluable. I recall a 10-6 team going in to the playoffs as a wildcard and winning a SB? True, it had John and TD but just remember "On Any Given Sunday" and keep the faith. If they get beat, so be it. Better to go to the show and lose, then not to go at all.

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