Boss Bailey says 'it feels unreal'

Joining Denver topped wish list for linebacker

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 12, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

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Daniel Mears / The Detroit News/2007

Linebacker Boss Bailey, stopping Browns running back Jamal Lewis last season, plans to play a similar role with the Broncos. "I don't think we'll be the 30th-ranked run defense again," he said.

It seems so perfect, Boss Bailey still has difficulty believing the situation in which he now finds himself.

He gets to play with his brother Champ and good friend Dre Bly with the Broncos.

He has the chance to earn as much as $20.5 million during the next five seasons and to play under a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach in Mike Shanahan.

And there's not only a starting spot at strong-side linebacker with his name on it, but an opportunity to play in nickel pass packages as well.

"It feels unreal, really," he said Tuesday in his first public comments about his new team since joining the Broncos last week.

Even the residue of the team's 7-9 finish last season washes right off Bailey, especially given the freedom he now feels having left the Detroit Lions, with whom he averaged only five victories the past five years.

"They're putting together a winning team," the linebacker said. "I talked to coach Shanahan personally, and he was telling me we had some players around that weren't willing to work for success and now those players are gone and they're bringing in players who are willing to work.

"I'm one of them."

Aside from Bailey, the Broncos have added linebacker Niko Koutouvides and safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel. The Broncos also will get defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban back from a severe Achilles' tendon injury.

All the moves are aimed at shoring up a group that finished 30th in rush defense and contributed heavily to a dismal allowance of 409 points.

"I don't think we'll be the 30th-ranked run defense again," Bailey said. "There's too high of expectations to even think about something like that."

Bailey, 28, witnessed firsthand what arguably was the Broncos' rock-bottom moment in 2007 - a 44-7 loss at Ford Field to the Lions on Nov. 4 that demonstrated why Murphy's Law was coined.

Even taking into consideration comments from his brother during frequent in-season phone conversations about the state of the Broncos, the lopsided nature of that game was "a little surprising" to the younger Bailey. It was considerably less stunning when the Broncos called Boss Bailey after the season and told him they were seeking reinforcements.

"Denver definitely was No. 1 on my list," he said. "What better situation can I go into? Having a chance to start, play a ton of snaps and be with my brother and one of my good friends and a storied franchise. So why wouldn't you want to go to the Denver Broncos?"

The chance to play with Champ, 29, whom he considers his confidante, was a particular selling point. The two most recently were teammates during Boss' freshman season at the University of Georgia in 1998.

"I'm still trying to get used to the idea I'll be playing with my brother," he said, adding their first go-round was "exciting."

Bailey never actually dreamed he and Champ might play together as pros until he became a free agent and looked around the league at various opportunities. That's when need and desire intersected.

"Sometimes when things seem too good to be true you don't want to wrap your mind around it too much and especially start thinking about it," Boss Bailey said. "But when the process began and it seemed like it would be a possibility, it was like, 'OK, don't get too excited until it's done.' "

Now that it's done, communication shouldn't be an issue between the brothers, even from the start.

"We have the type of relationship where we can give each other a look and know what's going on," Boss Bailey said. "That's just the way it is."

He even has some familiarity with the AFC West, given that the Lions not only played the Broncos last season but also the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.

In doing so, Bailey matched up in coverage on San Diego's Antonio Gates and Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez, two of the NFL's premier tight ends. It's something he'll have to get used to beginning next season.

Bailey said he didn't allow Gates to get the ball and limited Gonzalez to one reception off a quarterback scramble.

"It's a great challenge," Bailey said of future matchups with the two tight ends.

And, showing some of the swagger his brother exudes, he said it's a challenge he embraces.

"I kind of possess some of the same confidence," he said. "It's just believing in your skills."

McCREE DETAILS: McCree's contract with the Broncos is a one-year deal worth $2 million, including a $500,000 bonus to sign.

• March 12, 2008

  9:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SE7EN writes:

  If he can tackle as well as Champ, then we'll be in good shape.

• March 12, 2008

  10:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncsbuffshomer28 writes:

  Boss doesnt think the broncs will have the 30th ranked run D again this year. I imagine most of broncoland believes the same but signing one LB who is considered more of a cover guy than a run stuffer another who has not yet proven he can play inside has me wondering why everyone seems so confident.
  Ekuban's return will definatly help if he can stay healthy. I dont believe McCree or Manual will be difference makers in any way and what if thoose young DL cant stay healthy or if they are just not ready. I am already tired of people claiming we will pick an OL in the first round of the draft and even more sick of you people out there who think a 5'6 160 lb. WR in Desaun Jackson is worthy at no. 12 overall. We need young playmakers on defense If the Broncs dont go after defense early and often in this years draft I am afraid we are in for another fustrating year in denver.

• March 12, 2008

  10:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  T1anda writes:

  Hope your knees hold up Boss!! I think Champ and Boss will have quite a few laughs this year!!! I am looking forward to watching them play together!! DO something worthwhile in the draft Shanny!!

• March 12, 2008

  10:37 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncoRick69 writes:

  Ha. True, they may need more players from the draft. But these recent signings have made the situation quite a bit better than it was. The Broncos now are able to pick more wisely in the draft,and I believe they will do so. They have some depth on defense now, and it gives them a little breathing room. Offensive line is sure to be one of the top priorities in the draft for the Broncos.

• March 12, 2008

  11:49 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  LarryB writes:

  Did I see a comma-splice in your very first paragraph, Lee?

  Anyway, I do expect a dramatic difference in the run defense this year. Slowick has indicated he will design the scheme around the personnel, instead of the other way around, and linebacker and safety have seriously been upgraded. The return of Ekuban will upgrade the defensive line, too . . . and I hope we can add a defensive tackle or three.

• March 12, 2008

  1:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Denver81 writes:

  As for Manuel, if you look at his resume the big thing he has always done well is run stop, hes not a great coverage guy, he lacks some of the speed, but as for run stopping, that is what he does, and hes pretty good at it.

  And when it comes to the draft, I don't think most people see Jackson as a #12 pick, but if the broncos could trade down and get some extra picks in the third (where they currently have no picks) and/or fourth rounds, then it could be a worth while pick up to have a guy fast enough to stretch the field.

• March 12, 2008

  4:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CMoney writes:

  I have no problem drafting defense in the first round, but I keep saying this: At number 12 we can get the ninth or tenth best defensive player, OR we can get the fourth or fifth best offensive player. The only way I think we will draft defense in the first round is if we trade up which I think would be bad news depending on what it would cost. We may also recoup a third round pick if Foxworth or Paymah sign with another team.

• March 13, 2008

  5:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncos4Life writes:

  Is he really going to help or is this just another example of the local media glossing things over because they are afraid to be critical of the lousy personnel choices the Broncos(Shanahan) have made the last decade? Start telling like it is, be impartial, be critical if necessary. Shanahan is critical of his assistants when he fires them, even though he has final approval over everything from players to the type of toilet paper used in Dove Valley.

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