Broncos' cornerback Bly gets a pass from quarterbacks with Bailey out

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 13, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.

Text size  

• 14 Comments
• Email
• Print

Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Broncos cornerback Dre Bly knows the needs of the team. "It's important I find a way to make the kind of plays I've made my whole career," the veteran player says.

Broncos quick links

Drew on the NFL

Scores and statistics

• Broncos statistics
• Broncos schedule
• Broncos roster
• Broncos depth chart
• NFL scoreboard
• AFC standings
• NFC standings

Broncos inbox

• Submit a question for Jeff Legwold's inbox and look for the answer each Wednesday morning in the Broncos 24/7 blog.

In the know-your-role world of the NFL, Broncos cornerback Dre Bly certainly knows things have changed for him during the past 10 football weeks.

"When Champ's in there, teams have to choose between the two, and I'm the guy people are going to come after - I knew that coming here," Bly said. "And when Champ's not in there, you know what's going to happen: they're choosing again, and they choose to go the other way.

"I accept that, but to me right now, it's important I find a way to make the kind of plays I've made my whole career, plays we need more of."

Champ Bailey, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, has missed the Broncos' past two games because of a groin injury and has started to participate in practice only on a limited basis.

Safety Marlon McCree also missed last week's game in Cleveland because of an ankle injury and has not practiced this week.

That has meant a role reversal for Bly, who is looking at fewer opportunities with greater expectations that he can make something happen.

Two weeks ago, the Dolphins directed their passing game toward receiver Greg Camarillo, who spent much of the game with Karl Paymah defending him.

"Whoever that corner is . . . it makes a difference if Champ Bailey's not in there," Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "I just know (Bly) is very knowledgeable, instinctive, prepares himself well and he knows route combinations - those are the things carrying him now. He's been playing well and much more physical now than he had been playing."

Bly had 19 interceptions in his four seasons with Detroit and forced 13 fumbles. Now, 25 games into his Broncos tenure, he has five interceptions - none this season - and has been credited with one forced fumble, against Cleveland.

It's those turnovers, those potentially game-swinging plays, Bly believes he and the defense must create more of. But without Bailey on the other side and the Broncos' three starting linebackers hurt, Bly knows the price of any defensive mistakes, especially his, could be higher these days.

"As a defense, we haven't intercepted a lot of balls, haven't caused a lot of fumbles, and that's something I've done my whole career," Bly said. "I always want to do those things. I think it's important for me to do more of what I've been doing my whole career.

"But I know now not to force the issue but be consistent, just do my job, and those plays will come. Don't search for a play, don't jump a route because when I do, it hurts the team and exposes me. Just do whatever the coaches ask of me, don't make mistakes and be there when you can make something happen."

Against the Browns, Bly took on another of Bailey's roles: For the most part, he was matched against the toughest receiver, no matter where he lined up.

It's a role Bly often filled in his time with the Lions, and despite being what Bailey has called "probably the most competitive guy on this team," it's not a call Bly has received all that often in his time with the Broncos.

Bly limited Browns Pro Bowl receiver Braylon Edwards to one reception for 15 yards and also was credited with knocking away two passes and forcing a fumble.

Besides his play, Bly believes it's important he be there for younger players such as Paymah, who has played in Bailey's left cornerback spot, as well as rookies Josh Bell and Jack Williams, who have played some as the third cornerback in passing situations.

"You don't want to play with guys who don't want to accept the challenge, who don't want to be out there," Bly said. "These guys accept the challenge, they look forward to performing well. So right now, I do my side, do my piece. If I don't see the ball when I'm doing that, it's fine. If that means going this year without an interception and we win some football games, that means I'm still doing what I'm supposed to do."

What he's supposed to do Sunday likely will entail lining up against Roddy White, who leads the Falcons in catches (53), receiving yards (801) and receiving touchdowns (six) as rookie quarterback Matt Ryan's favorite option in the passing game.

The next most active Falcons receiver, Michael Jenkins, is 29 catches and 406 yards behind White.

"Last week, I was looking forward to the challenge of being across from one guy the whole game," Bly said. "I've done it before, but this time, it was this team asking me. And that's where you want to be. When you're assigned to a particular guy, your job is to make sure that guy doesn't beat you. And, hopefully, if that gets called again, I do the job."

• November 14, 2008

  2:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jrhino writes:

  Overrated. Beaten like a child

• November 14, 2008

  5:54 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncos4Life1 writes:

  Everytime you see Dre Bly, he is either laying on the ground while somebody makes a catch or you see the back of his jersey as he chases someone who just made a catch against him.

• November 14, 2008

  6:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  denverone writes:

  Beaten like a scrambled egg.

• November 14, 2008

  7:35 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cabermon writes:

  I agree that Dre Bly has been underwhelming, particularly since he gives receivers a 10 - 15 yard cushion and then misses the tackle after the catch. But in the Clevelend game I noted some changes: He was covering closer, was more aggressive, and didn't miss tackles. He also forced that fumble. It's too late to make any major changes now, so let's encourage him to keep up the good work. You go to war with the army you have.

  PS- At home games he's the leader in encouraging the lazy fans to get LOUD, which has led to several false starts and delay of game penalties on the opponents.

• November 14, 2008

  7:42 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  GCKansas writes:

  I have a problem everyone blaming Bly for the inadequacies of our defensive line. Correct me if I am wrong but I think Champ as good as he is has been beaten quite a few times this year as well. You can only ask your secondary to cover a guy so long. QBs have 8 to 10 seconds quite frequently to stand back there and look around for someone to throw it to. I guess some of you people would rather have Deltha O'neal back there again.

• November 14, 2008

  7:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  maverick7 writes:

  GCKansas, you are right, the D-line has produced no pressure on the QB. They make ordinary QBs look like superstars. I hope they keep up the corners on the WR to chuck them and disrupt the pass route. That will also help the pass rush if the QB has to wait a split second on the route. Lets hope Champ can play, even at 75% he is better than K Paymah.

• November 14, 2008

  8:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Nick_Shadow writes:

  GC and Mav have hit it. When there is no pressure and the QB has that time, it forces the secondary to keep things in front of them and in effect "limit the damage". Time means WR's can get deep, very deep, and those are often touchdowns. At the risk of my neck, I defend the secondary somewhat; what the line does dictates how the secondary can play. Being aggressive and jumping routes goes out the window, so do the picks. Paymah will be fine, he is fast and strong, but is being coached to avoid disaster. I saw Champ get beat (last year especially), not because he can't cover, in 40 years of watching, I have never seen a better cornerback, but because he always had an eye to the line. He was watching for running backs breaking through the front seven, a necessary move, given so many times he had to chase one.

  I am also thinking about the O'line, they are great pass blockers, but I think they are still figuring out run block schemes, and that hurts the running game, no matter who has the ball. Pass blocking and run blocking are very different.

• November 14, 2008

  9:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  RockyV writes:

  Yeah - it's amazing that he's noticed when a play goes against him, not noticed when everything goes well.

  I think there are a few people on this thread that should be calling up Shanahan and signing as free agent cornerbacks - you're all obviously so well qualified.

• November 14, 2008

  9:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigRedCelt writes:

  Bly stinks..period. My biggest problem with him is that he wont hit anybody for nothing. He will let a guy run past im so he can tackle from behind. I've seen him do it time and time again. In the Cleaveland game he came on a blitz untouched, but he hesitated instaed of blasting the QB and Quinn made a play.

  I agree theres nothing that can be done at this stage of the season, but Bly stinks!!!!!

• November 14, 2008

  10:12 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverSportsFanatic writes:

  Dre Bly. He is supposed to be our other shut down corner. With all the hype he created when he first started with denver. He became false. Quarterbacks know bly cant cover as well as champ. So they throw his way, and he always lets the recievers catch the ball befor he TRY"S to make a tackle. Go for the legs DRE. Fundamentals!! I say we pursue Another corner to Compete for his spot. Maybe that will make him step it up!

• November 14, 2008

  10:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kmeissner writes:

  GCKansas when have you seen Champ get beaten this year? Quite a few times? You must be smoking something. I'm pretty sure he's only had about 10 balls thrown his way this year. And I don't think more than 2 of those found their target. Are you watching the games or just reading these negative postings and assuming you know what's going on?

  Bly isn't the best CB on the team, but he's far from the worst.

  BigRedCelt can you tell me which CB's are able to tackle better than Bly? Champ is probably the best to ever play the game at that position so maybe watching him is heightening your expectations for the other guys? It could be 10 times worse. We could have Paymah and Foxworth starting for us. They are horrible tacklers.

  Now we'll see what Foxworth can do this weekend. Hopefully Cutler takes advantage of him and goes at him all day!

• November 14, 2008

  1:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GCKansas writes:

  kmeissner, I saw Champ get beat about three times alone in the San Diego game. As you say he has only had 10 thrown his way so percentage wise you could throw that argument out there. Don't get me wrong I love Champ and there is no better corner out there. I am just saying Bly doesn't deserve all these negative comments. As I said, I put very little blame on the secondary and if I did it would be directed at our safties who I think have missed some assignments and have probably made it look worse for our corners. Our defensive line is what is killing us, running and passing. Heck if your not going to get to the QB, at least fill your gap so opposing running backs don't go 30 to 60 yards a pop. I also agree with Nick shadow that the reason Bly and sometimes Champ give up what they do is because they have to keep things in front of them and neither one of them can take any risks out there to create turnovers.

• November 14, 2008

  2:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Nick_Shadow writes:

  Not to beat a point, but what I worry about this week is the running game,,,,,,both sides. But even if the Birds can run a bit, if the Broncos can get enough running yards, especially early, the Falcons could be in for a long day. The do not want a track meet with Cutler and company, but I do.

• November 14, 2008

  8:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Nick_Shadow, our RB's will surprise you this weekend. Pope, Haynes and Tatum, with Hillis in the mix. Haynes won't be used as much as Tatum because Haynes will still be learning the plays. Tatum is more knowledgeable of the system. He is still in shape but just needs to get in "football shape". He needs to take some hits in practice to get used to holding on after the hit, again. Pope is off the PS and knows the system. He has the ability to break tackles. He is something to watch for. Even going into the bottom of the bag, you can pull out some gems. Keep the faith.

Featured

• DNC in Denver

  

  Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

• The Crevasse

  

  A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.

• Deadly denial

  

  Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.

• Final Salute

  

  The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.

• 'Colorado's burning'

  

  Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.

• Columbine shootings

  

  Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.

• The Crossing

  

  Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.

• Osveli's journey

  

  Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.

• Wake for an Indian warrior

  

  Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.