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Champ Bailey gives brotherly shove

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 4, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.

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There will be a "no vacancy" sign on Champ Bailey's guest room when his kid brother visits Denver today.

"He's staying at a hotel. We're going to treat him just like any other recruit," Bailey said with a chuckle Tuesday.

But in the longer term, the Pro Bowl cornerback is more than willing to extend the welcome mat to Boss, a free-agent linebacker from the Detroit Lions who will visit the Broncos today.

The siblings played together at Charlton County High School in Folkston, Ga., and the University of Georgia. They'd like to add the NFL to that list, if a deal can be struck for Boss, who also is drawing attention from Green Bay, Houston and Atlanta.

Champ Bailey, though, is trying to keep family ties out of the equation and let Boss make a decision based on the merits of the situation.

"He'd like to play with me," Champ Bailey said. "But I've told him to ignore the fact that I'm here. That's all great and everything, but all in all, he's got to do what's best for his career and family. If someone's offering twice as much money, you've got to go get it. This thing doesn't last long."

Boss Bailey was drafted in the second round of the 2003 draft by the Lions. He has started 51 games with 265 tackles (195 solo) and seven sacks.

The 28-year-old linebacker almost certainly won't return to the Lions, who have averaged a little more than five wins during his five-year tenure there.

"I know he's frustrated with losing," Champ Bailey said. "He wants a change."

At the same time, the Broncos' 7-9 finish last season matched the Lions' record, so perhaps it's a lateral move.

"We're going to win," Champ Bailey said he has told his brother during his best previsit sales pitch. "Everything around here is getting better. We can't get much worse than last year."

Perhaps most important in Boss Bailey's decision-making process is that the Broncos have a need at linebacker, particularly on the strong side, which is Bailey's natural spot.

The Broncos this week signed Niko Koutouvides to compete at middle linebacker, which would shift D.J. Williams to the weak- side position, where he's arguably the best fit.

But should they sign Boss Bailey, the Broncos just as easily could keep Williams in the middle, play Jamie Winborn on the weak side and put Bailey over the tight end, with Koutouvides serving as a special-teams ace.

"First and foremost, it is based on need," Champ Bailey said of the prospect of his younger brother joining the lineup. "You let a guy like Ian Gold go, you've got to fill that spot. He's also capable of playing in our system. He's a very versatile, fast guy that we love to have in our linebackers."

ETC.: Receiver Keary Colbert received a $2.5 million signing bonus as part of the three-year deal he signed with the Broncos. He will have base salaries of $605,000, $2 million and $1.5 million and can earn another $500,000 roster bonus in 2010. . . . Safety Marlon McCree also will visit the Broncos today. The veteran safety, formerly of the San Diego Chargers, left Buffalo on Tuesday and told reporters he has narrowed his options to the Bills and Broncos and that he hoped to make a decision by Thursday or Friday. . . . The Broncos officially announced they had signed defensive end John Engelberger and tight end Nate Jackson.

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com

Comments

  • March 4, 2008

    4:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life writes:

    If Boss Bailey has his brother's desire to win, he could be a good fit. But, please don't sign him just because his brother is here. Sign him if he's got talent, fits into the salary cap, and fills a real need.

  • March 4, 2008

    5:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    boydy2669 writes:

    Hes a frickin good athlete and would be a good fit for the Broncs. With him and Koutouvides and DJ with Webster and our other back ups our LBS are shaping up well.

  • March 4, 2008

    6:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spidey writes:

    He needs to show his ability to help team win more games besides playing with his brother.

  • March 4, 2008

    8:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Denver81 writes:

    I just hope he can stay healthy.

  • March 4, 2008

    9:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    another mediocore linebacker.
    Why couldnt the broncos get a good middle linebacker, or do they still not realize that Boss plays Left Linebacker..
    I'd hate to move DJ over to the middle again.

  • March 5, 2008

    2:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jeeks99 writes:

    I think Boss would fit well, we ain't gettin no BIG name free agent linebackers anyway. May as well hope for some decent draft choices/choice.

  • March 5, 2008

    8:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    Boss has chronic knee problems...be very careful Broncs!

  • March 5, 2008

    8:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    misterbigge writes:

    jeeks, your grammar is atrocious. 'we aint gettin no' just reeks of poor education, poor attitude and a loser mentality. Are you trying to be ghetto cool? You go guy but ten years from now when you are still broke, your car doesn't run and you are bitter about life remember how great it is to be 'cool'.

    I agree with your thoughts, we won't be getting any big names through free agency. The Rockies have shown the only way for small market teams to improve is via drafting. Too bad Shanahan is a terrible drafter except for late round running backs.

  • March 5, 2008

    9:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jibbons writes:

    Thanks misterbigge for the grammar lesson, I am sure Jeeks will be right where you say he will be in 10 years.

    Now please tell me where I will be in 10 years based on my writting style.

    No, no, wait, I want it to be a surprise.

  • March 5, 2008

    10:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    misterbigge writes:

    jgibbons, your writing style is fine, your attitude is your downfall. Why do you stick your nose into others affairs? Answers: a) you don't have enough trouble in your life b) you think you are a tough guy. If you keep the attitude you will be just about where you are now. That may be a surprise to you but not to everyone else. We can spot your kind from a hundred miles. BTW, do you have anything to say about sports? Perhaps some original insight or intelligence? Who will be surprised that you only gots tough guy tings to say (sic).

  • March 5, 2008

    12:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jmacjo writes:

    I hope we get him. But is anyone else bothered by the unceremonious way in which Ian Gold was dumped? That guy bled orange and blue for ages.

  • March 5, 2008

    2:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    misterbigge writes:

    jmac, it is pretty cold that Ian got fired but as much as we fans don't like it, the nfl is first and foremost a business to either win or make money depending on the owners priority. People come second. I liked Gold as a player but I was bothered more when they let Al Wilson go. Al was a great player and seemed like a great guy in the locker room. I would have kept hiim even with his neck history. Now with both of them gone, linebacker has gone from a bronco strenght to a weakness. Times are tough again and don't look to get better soon. But hey! we can always pound some Bud and run our SB XXXII and XXXIII tapes over again!

  • March 5, 2008

    3:29 p.m.

    BMARSH15 writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • March 5, 2008

    3:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    foreveraBroncofan writes:

    I'm pretty sure they probably asked Gold to restructure and he said no.

  • March 5, 2008

    3:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    foreveraBroncofan writes:

    I too hope they can sign Boss & Mc Cree. Face it, aside from whoever we get at #12, the draft picks probably will have very little impact on our season. Unless, of course, we have a ton of injuries again. Then we better hope they can step in and contribute.

  • March 5, 2008

    4:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncofan7702 writes:

    What happen to Al? It would be a better D if he was able to suck it up and comeback to Bronco Land. If Boss fill in the gap and Al Back in the middle. What a great year this would be. We need his veteran leadership back. So please comeback.

  • March 5, 2008

    5:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kameron804 writes:

    I say hell yea we'll take him. In a lot of cases the little brother out shines the big brother..........Lets go Boss!

  • March 5, 2008

    5:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kameron804 writes:

    I miss Al though...........get em back. We need his presence on the field but mainly in the locker room! It's time to take over. If Wilson and Lil Bailey could team up.........we would be on FIRE!

  • March 5, 2008

    8:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    misterbigge writes:

    Bmarsh, oh great, now another idiot who loves lousy english has to open his yap and prove how stupidity lives. why are you low lifes so intent on supporting ignorance and bad grammar that you have to advertise what a slob you are? Marshy, tell us what the calculus integral of the cosine function is?? Sure, you can cheat but I will still give you $100 cash if you can even sober up enuff to figure out how and where to ask the right question. how about if you pick up my dogs poop while I'm at my race driving school in california this summer? give you $12/hour or double what you make now.

  • March 5, 2008

    10:28 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    millertime3852 writes:

    misterbigge, looks like it's you against the world in here huh? You may understand calculus and some other ultra important math theorems, but what does that prove? You're in a Denver Bronco forum. Either talk sports with the rest of us or get out. Clearly you're way too good for everyone in here with your ultra-sophisticated way of life. But the fact that you feel the need to point out other's faults tells me all I need to know about you. You get off in life insulting others because it makes you feel better about yourself.

    Here's wagering that, while jeeks may or may not know calculus, he's better than you at 100 other things in life. It's what makes the world go round my man. If everyone in the world were arrogant on the outside but insecure on the inside like you, the world would be boring.

    When your wife's, or 'life partner's' vehicle breaks down on the side of the road, does she rely on you to fix it, or do you take it to a mechanic because you don't have a clue what you're doing?

    Do you sit on the living room floor at night and play with your children like I do? Or do you sit in front of the tv or computer while they grow up with you not knowing who they are?

    Do you give up your seat at Black Angus so a lady doesn't have to stand? Or do you just sit and talk to your 'partner' and act like you don't see her?

    There are a million traits in life that make up the human race. Poor grammar or spelling would be pretty far down on the list of most important ones. Yet, here you are, feeling smarter or more important because your daddy paid for you to go to college and learn calculus.

    In closing...don't be like that. It's not worth it. Accept people for who they are, exactly who they are. Only if someone asks for your help or advice is it ok to give it. Otherwise, you're going to go through life trying to prove to everyone that you're better than them, and then you'll die without as many friends as you've made in here today.

  • March 6, 2008

    8:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    misterbigge writes:

    miller you make good points. I'm impressed that you can be critical without being insulting. my original criticism of jeeks comes out of worry for our educational system which is not doing the job. I see kids almost everyday coming to my business wanting jobs and they simply are not prepared to do the work. I can tell in 60 seconds by their language if they will be a responsible worker or not (not always, there have been some terrific exceptions). It breaks my heart because I know what their future holds. I will take your advice and not criticize. I salute you for being a good parent, your kids and society will benefit. BTW, did you notice that I agreed with jeeks comments?