Broncos' Bailey in secondary school
Cornerback studies lapse last season, plans to improve
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 11, 2008 at 4:36 p.m.
Photo by The Rocky / 2006
Cornerback Champ Bailey saw his interceptions total drop last season to three after he had 10 the previous season. The numbers were equally miserable for the Broncos defense, which ranked 28th in points allowed and 30th against the run.
Click to enlarge: Cornerbacks who have played in the most Pro Bowls.
Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Bailey, left, and safety John Lynch have spent the offseason learning new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik's defense.
The numbers are a waterfall, a raging, swirling cascade of temple-rubbing badness.
Yes, in 2007, the Broncos ranked 30th in the league in rushing defense, 31st defending scoring plays inside their 20-yard line and 28th in points allowed.
It's a total that added up to a 7-9 finish, a playoff miss and a smattering of NFL scouts who said the team struggled so much on defense that even cornerback Champ Bailey wasn't the same.
"Well, one thing about being on a bad defense, everybody looks bad," Bailey said Tuesday. "No matter how great you are, if we don't cover in the secondary, the front four is not going to get sacks, and if they don't get sacks - get pressure - we're not going to get any picks.
"It all goes hand in hand. And we didn't get our hands on enough of any of it."
The result: Assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates decided to leave the team instead of being reassigned to coaching linebackers after previously calling the defensive signals, and the Broncos have spent the offseason installing Bob Slowik's defense.
And for Bailey, who always is sifting through the details as he studies opponents and himself, that has meant also trying to sort out how it all went so wrong.
"I think we were just confused," Bailey said. "We were just so inconsistent. At times, we'd see good stuff, do some good things and all of a sudden, we'd look like the worst team in the NFL. You know you can't win games like that.
"We were so successful before last year. We're kind of going back to that. . . . Things are not as complicated, we know what our responsibilities are and it's really helped us. We can concentrate on execution instead of just thinking about where we're supposed to be."
Bailey will cross the double-figure mark on his career timeline as he enters his 10th season in the league. He has been selected to eight consecutive Pro Bowls - with one more, he will tie Hall of Famer Mike Haynes for most by a cornerback in league history - and his 24 interceptions during the past four seasons lead all players.
"I just always looked up to him and make my game the way his is," Broncos rookie cornerback Jack Williams said. "He studies and he has talent like that. You try to do a lot of the little things he does, but a lot of the stuff is instinct. You can try to see what he sees, but you really can't duplicate what he does."
While Bailey always casts a discerning eye on the defense, he saves his harshest critiques for his own play. And this offseason has meant looking at why he went from eight interceptions in 2005 to 10 in 2006 to three last season.
His 10 interceptions in 2006 tied for the league lead despite the fact he said he had only 35 passes directed at him.
"So, yeah, I know people pick and choose when to challenge me, but that was true in (2006) and I still had 10 picks, and it was true (in 2005)," Bailey said. "So I try to figure out what the problems were. I can't say I have full responsibility for what happened, but at the same time, I don't like to point fingers at anybody and I need to do what I can to make it better.
"And I know I can do better. I mean, I had three picks; I have to make a lot more plays than that."
Bailey said he likes the vibe after the change in the defensive scheme and that, for the first time since he was at the University of Georgia, he is a teammate with one of his brothers.
Boss Bailey, a linebacker and Champ's younger brother, signed with the Broncos during the offseason and is working as the team's starting strong-side linebacker.
"It's special to see him every day, to do things together again, all the time, like we've been doing our whole lives until we got to the NFL," Champ Bailey said. "I just feel like it can all be better this year. Last year, we had so much talent - potential - it was definitely frustrating. Nothing we did seemed to pan out for us as far as winning games.
"Hopefully, we change that."
ETC.: Former Louisiana State punter Patrick Fisher was on the field Wednesday. Fisher hasn't been signed by the Broncos but is in for a two-day tryout. He will practice today as well. . . . Defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson didn't practice and isn't expected to practice today. Robertson has had knee troubles in the past. . . . Defensive tackle Nic Clemons left a pass-rushing drill after tweaking his right knee.
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June 11, 2008
7:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
Wow - I love Champ Bailey. He understands the game and the only time you hear, "Me first!" is when there is blame to go around. And he usually doesn't deserve any of it it anyway.
I just don't think he's very smart though. Someone in the Broncos organization convinced him that he could win a Super Bowl in Denver. And bless his little heart, he actually believes it!
June 12, 2008
12:31 a.m.
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Kechter writes:
WOW you just said the smartest corner in the league isn't very smart???? I guess trying to be funny and sounding like dumb@ss go hand in hand for you. Denver WILL win the west this year, count on it!
June 12, 2008
12:59 a.m.
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LarryB writes:
Champ's got it downstairs, and he's got it upstairs.
No wonder he's the best.
June 12, 2008
2:07 a.m.
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flybys writes:
There have been some media rumblings that Champ Bailey didn't play up to expectations last season. Of course, that's perception, not reality.
Bailey is as dominant as ever -- still physically capable and smarter now than when he entered the NFL. He is, however, at the mercy of the men who play in front of him and if that part of the defense isn't productive enough then Bailey too, human he is, will appear less than his sterling self.
Look for Bailey, if healthy, to appear like he rebounded in 2008. It's again, just perception. He never slipped.
June 12, 2008
7:09 a.m.
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tmcd writes:
Champ Bailey is not only the best player on our roster, he is also quietly the classiest athlete in this city. I wish we had a whole roster of Champ Bailey's. If the Broncos are to win another Super Bowl in the near future, it will be in large part because of Champ, his work ethic, leadership and class.
June 12, 2008
7:53 a.m.
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Orange_Crush18 writes:
Champ didn't slip. He was forced to fill voids. Look at how many tackles he has. Compare that to any other CB from last year. Their numbers don't even compare. Champ stepped up and helped out the line as much as he could while also trying to cover. It's impossible to stop the run and cover a man all by yourself. Champ did it better than anyone else could have.
June 12, 2008
8:16 a.m.
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DJRMTNSPF writes:
A team could have four Champ Baileys on the field but if the D-Line does not get pressure on the QB, they will get thrown on. All Denver did in the off-season was get DL with knee problems. Time to hire a real GM.
June 12, 2008
9:15 a.m.
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sixshooter writes:
Is the GM going to play on the D-line. Who was available that was better? An overpriced Kris Jenkins? I think the team did very well in the offseason and fully expect the defense to play 110 percent better. Like Champ said, I think the talent was there but they were just trying to change too much with too many new players. I don't think one can criticize the changes made by the Broncos so far this offseason. So unless there is a GM than can play some ball, I don't think a GM is going to make a difference. Maybe Ted was the problem all along????
June 12, 2008
9:40 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
'Yes, in 2007, the Broncos ranked 30th in the league in rushing defense, 31st defending scoring plays inside their 20-yard line and 28th in points allowed.'
With those poor defensive rankings I'm surprised we weren't worse than 7-9. If we improve the defense even slightly I can only imagine the possibilities of winning the AFC West.
June 12, 2008
10 a.m.
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jazzyhali writes:
Great corner, one of the best all time in my book. As a player I truely appreciate him, as a person he's a jack***. Don't have much nice things to say about him in that regards. The Broncos are paying him for his talent and not his personality so in that regards, I'm glad we have him. He just needs to work on the people skills, then again maybe not, as much as he makes he really doesn't have to care what people think about him.
June 12, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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mcbrink26 writes:
Champ is a class act and a tremendous athlete. However, with only one other athlete on defense, he will be exposed this year early and often. Dre Bly is one of the most overrated players in the league too.
3-13 will be a reality.
June 12, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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SE7EN writes:
Champ is the man. Bly is good too. If this D-line can improve and start disrupting opposing O-lines, then Bly and Bailey will tear it up.
If the D-line $ucks as bad as it did last year, then the secondary will get beat up again. I don't care if you're the best Corner in NFL history...you can only cover a WR for so long before he breaks free. The D-line and LBs must do a better job this year. It all starts up front.
June 12, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Champ you are worth every nickle!!! Good luck to your new team mate...Boss!!! Love to watch you play the game!! Can't wait for football season to start!!!
Mcbrink26 3-13?????? That's just plain yoogly!!! Our Broncos will stuff those numbers right up yers this year!!!!
GO BRONCS!!!!
June 12, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
"We were so successful the year before", says Champ.
WHAT? No they weren't. They fell apart the second half of the season and the D-Coordinator, once again, as usual was Mike Shanahans scapegoat. Just like the end of Last Season. Mike Fires the D-Coordinator almost annually. The season Champ is talking about being so good, was the same season they played Baltimore and Cleveland, who BOTH fired their offensive coordinator for fielding such a lousy Offense. Later in the season, when the Bronc's faced the Chargers and a few other play-off teams, they were smoked. They were embarassed. Please. Get Real. Be honest. Cut the smoke-n-mirrors crap.
And now, all the obedient dogs trained to agree with Mike, ignore this truth, and have at it!:
June 12, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
"Maybe Ted was the problem all along", wrote 6-shooter.
Hello? Ted made it clear that he left because Shanahan routinely ignored the advice given by Him, and the staff of scouts. Ted said it, and I believe it 100%, "It was NOT that the information that was given to Mike Shanahan was bad, it's WHAT Mike did with the information that was the problem".
Ted Sundquist left because he finally got fed up with Mike SHanahan's crap. The All-Powerful All-knowing Oz with tunnel vision who refused to take any advice. Well, ....... welcome to 7-9 Mike. And Slowik, buddy, get ready to be the next in line of many many scape-goats.
June 12, 2008
12:09 p.m.
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meatwad writes:
Sundquist got canned, he didn't leave. You believe 100% with sundquist? That's great, but who are you and why should we care. What kind of inside information do you know to make that decision?
June 12, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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broncojay writes:
R8R H8R
Must be a chiefs fan.. lost 8 in a row last year RIGHT. Any one who doesn't realize that the teams that are on top right now, Chargers, Pats..Indy all spent 7, 8 , 9 years in the basement of the league. He thinks the winning those teams are enjoying are due to great coaching or GM duties when the reality is they all had years on end picking numerous players in the top 10 of the draft.
June 12, 2008
4:34 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
R8R I think you are a dyed in the wool Raider FAN!! Go back to Oakland and take your EVER PRESENT pessimistic opinions with you!
Why do you bother to "talk down" the Broncos when any article is written about them??
GO AWAY STINKY!!!
June 12, 2008
9:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
broncodano writes:
So lemme get this straight.
The defense was one of the worst in the league.
Yes, in 2007, the Broncos ranked 30th in the league in rushing defense, 31st defending scoring plays inside their 20-yard line and 28th in points allowed.
That is one of the worst defenses in the league. So we should KEEP THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR? Dont you think that someone who brought in a scheme that ended up being one of the worst in the league SHOULD BE FIRED?
Shanny runs the offense. Bates ran the defense. We had the worst defense in the league and we were one game away from the playoffs.
So the scapegoat is BATES????
You really have a funny way at looking at things. A real crime how people who arent good at their jobs get fired as scapegoats for the really competant employees.
Its a conspiracy i tell ya.
bd
June 13, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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Orange_Crush18 writes:
well said BD! Couldn't agree with you more. I'm sick of seeing the posts that Bates is a "scapegoat." If you are not successful performing your job then you will be gone.
June 13, 2008
5:14 p.m.
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BMat writes:
June 12, 2008
12:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
Kechter writes:
WOW you just said the smartest corner in the league isn't very smart???? I guess trying to be funny and sounding like dumb@ss go hand in hand for you. Denver WILL win the west this year, count on it!
__________
Get some sleep kiddo. Blogging at half past midnight has your panties all bunched up.
Count sheep or something. Don't hate on me.