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Broncos report: In quest for success, foes cut corner Bailey

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 13, 2008 at 10:11 p.m.

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Opponents aren't throwing Champ Bailey's way.

Photo by Joe Mahoney / The Rocky

Opponents aren't throwing Champ Bailey's way.

Poll

Do the Broncos have the right personnel to turn around their defensive shortcomings?


He Said It

"It's hard to win when you stop yourself."

Mike Shanahan, on three turnovers by the Broncos.

Head to head

Shanahan is 5-2 against Bill Belichick in the time the two have been coaches in the league.

Date: Result

Oct. 1, 2000: N.E. 28, Den. 19

Oct. 28, 2001: Den. 31, N.E. 20

Oct. 27, 2002: Den. 24, N.E. 16

Nov. 3, 2003: N.E. 30, Den. 26

Oct. 16, 2005: Den. 28, N.E. 20

*Jan. 14, 2006: Den. 27, N.E. 13

Sept. 24, 2006: Den. 17, N.E. 7

* Playoffs

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The Broncos continue to wrestle with what has ailed them defensively in their first six games, and at least one of the items on the list is dealing with what opposing offenses are doing to cornerback Champ Bailey.

They are ignoring him.

"(It's) very smart not to throw at Champ," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

Well, then the Buccaneers and the Jaguars have been extremely intelligent the past two weeks because a review of the video shows not a single pass was directed at Bailey in coverage in either game.

"Not one," Bailey said. "In two games."

For the season, Bailey has had only about 10 passes - he put the count at nine - thrown directly at him, and most of those came in a Week 2 meeting against the Chargers.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers was far more aggressive than almost any other quarterback has been since Bailey arrived in Denver in 2004.

Bailey's only interception - a disputed play that couldn't be reviewed after the Chargers had challenged it because the replay equipment wasn't functioning - came in that game.

It also is one of only two interceptions the Broncos defense has this season. Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas has the other.

"I can't really control any of how people attack me," Bailey said. "I can't let it affect me one way or another. You try to get involved in what you can. You keep doing the things you can."

So far, most of whatever offenses have done in the passing game has worked. Opposing passers are completing 72.7 percent of their passes overall, with three of the past four quarterbacks - Drew Brees, Damon Huard and David Garrard - each having topped 73 percent.

Brees leads the way with an 81.3 percent mark - 39-of-48.

Most teams, the Jaguars included, have preferred to attack Dre Bly at the other cornerback spot or try to isolate Broncos safeties in coverage.

"I think that's very smart on their part (to avoid Bailey)," Shanahan said. "Champ makes a lot of plays in the run game and in the passing game."

In 2006, Bailey had a single-season career-high 10 interceptions, a total that equaled only slightly less than one-third of the passes directed his way that season. Some of the interceptions came on plays where Bailey, in zone coverage facing the ball, left his man to snare a pass headed elsewhere.

Shanahan said there are some things the Broncos can try to force the ball in Bailey's direction. Some help could come from a pass rush because a hurried quarterback can't be as choosy where he puts the ball.

The Broncos will need to be better in run defense as well because they aren't consistently stressing opposing offenses enough to put them in difficult down- and-distance situations, where more sacks and interceptions are going to happen.

Five of the six teams they've faced this season, including the Jaguars, have averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry, and three teams have averaged at least 4.8 yards per carry.

"We all need to make more plays," Bailey said. "I feel like I should make a lot more plays, make some things happen. We all need to."

A maybe

Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley said he felt "a little bit better" after suffering a concussion in the loss against the Jaguars, but he is going to be a question mark as the Broncos go through the week. Denver plays at New England on Monday night.

"I feel a little bit better than (Sunday) but still not myself," said Stokley, who estimates he might have suffered 10 concussions in his football career. "Hopefully, with the next couple days, I'll feel a lot better."

Stokley suffered the injury on his first reception Sunday when his head slammed into the ground after the catch. He stayed in the game, catching two more passes, including a touchdown, until early in the second quarter, but then went to the sideline.

He did not return, and the Broncos offense, already without rookie Eddie Royal because of a left foot/ankle injury, struggled to regain the rhythm.

Stokley missed a month in the 2003 season with the Colts because of a concussion and left the Broncos' 41-3 loss to the Chargers last season because of what the team called a "head injury."

He returned the next week last season and played the next eight games before missing the final three because of a left knee injury.

Stokley was evaluated by the Broncos' medical personnel Monday with a battery of post-concussion tests.

Stokley says he's hopeful to see enough improvement to play Monday night.

Still No. 1

Broncos running back Michael Pittman, who had 109 rushing yards Sunday, likely will remain as the team's starter in the backfield.

It was the Broncos' first 100-yard rushing game from a back since Dec. 9, when Selvin Young had 156 yards against the Chiefs.

"(I) thought Mike did a great job," Shanahan said. "Ran the ball extremely well, pass-protected well, took advantage of his opportunity. Everything you want a guy to do, he did. He sure didn't hurt himself this game."

Pittman pounded his way through the Buccaneers defense the previous week and likely would have made the start Sunday, even if Young had not suffered a groin injury against Tampa Bay. Young was a game-day inactive.

"After how he played the week before, (I) thought he deserved the opportunity to play full time . . . ," Shanahan said. "Gave him an opportunity to keep the job."

Etc.

* After looking again at two penalties that had Broncos players fuming after the game - a pass-interference call on the Jaguars' last drive and an illegal-contact call on Bly in the third quarter - Shanahan said: "Every game, there's probably five or six plays you could look at in the game. You've got to be able to make the plays before that. Everybody will go to the obvious, maybe it's a pass interference, a call or a noncall, you've got to be able to take advantage much earlier than that. We had some chances to put the game away early and we didn't do it, and, all of a sudden, we found ourselves in a slugfest."

* Running back Ryan Torain, who has been out since fracturing a bone in his left elbow and suffering ligament damage in training camp, will practice Wednesday. The Broncos are hoping to play him Nov. 2 against Miami, their first game after the bye.

* Shanahan said Boss Bailey's right ankle, which he injured in the preseason, will "probably bother him most of the year." Bailey left the game twice in the fourth quarter, saying, "I just kept rolling it."

Comments

  • October 13, 2008

    10:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    preachersson writes:

    If opposing offenses are ignoring Champ then the Broncos need to force them to notice him. One way that I see that the Broncos could do this is to start blitzing Champ a lot. I can guarantee you that if he is in the QBs grill time after time, that QB may start peeking over to Champs side to see if he is coming and see if he can't get the ball to the WR on his side. Then its just a matter of mixing it up. I would let Champ decide when to mix it up since he is probably one of the smartest defenders as well as the best CB in the game today.

  • October 13, 2008

    11:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    deezBroncs1127 writes:

    You just can't blitz Champ all the time...that would be stupid. NFL QB's are too smart for that. The Defense Coaches have to come up with a scheme to make the QB think twice about staying away from Champ. Bly should have about 3 or 4 interceptions right now but he has lost a step or two since he has been in Denver and is not the same player he once was in Detroit and St. Louis. I'm about done with this zone crap...the players are not getting the concept of guarding someone in their area. Opponets are just roaming free all over the field making our Defense look like a JV squad. Get it together or our Defense is gonna be at the bottom all year.

  • October 13, 2008

    11:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    preachersson writes:

    deez, I didn't say "all the time" I said "a lot" and then I said to mix it up, leaving it up to Champ to do this see as he is one of the smartest defenders in the game. I'm guessing the sun got in your eyes as you were reading what I wrote.

  • October 13, 2008

    11:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AnToneB writes:

    You both are right. Champ can blitz from the outside. The Zone is crap their defense can't seem to understand how it even works. Bly is gonna get burned just like (the late D-Will ) did.. for some reason we can't get a good DB on the leftside. And when the defense switches to a cover-2 they get light up like a christmas tree. Denver has never been a good 3-4 defense we dont have the speed. The team use to, but not anymore.Speed that is. Sure doin some " mixing up " plays will work but we shouldn't be doin that when the team is behind. The coaches need to understand something and that is you can't play catch up with one man this is not Brandon Marshall's team. I say feed the "BEAST" which is Pittman. The man can bench press 300+ pounds you can see that he is ready to chew through concret so give him the ball fulltime and then switch up with the speed let the man pound the ball for 3 downs tire out the defense run a hurry up play and power sweep to the side with one of your burners..Easy first downs plus its hard for the other teams defense to change players. Come on..Broncos get your swagger back!! And lets get back to some real football, Even the punter has got to get his uniform dirty!

  • October 14, 2008

    4:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    It is smart for offenses to stay away from Bailey, however that just puts more pressure on Bly...I do agree that Bly is not the same player that he used to be, he may have lost a step or two...I think opposing teams see that, and attack him more than they probably would have....

    The problem with the Broncos defense is that they just dont have the playmakers that they used to, outside of Bailey and perhaps D.J. Williams...Dumervil is their best pass rusher, but teams are double teaming him, and the rest of the D-line isnt taking advantage of that...Manuel and McCree are struggling...and overall the defense is struggling to stop the oppositions running game....

    It appears that the Defense may be the weak link to this Broncos team, and other teams know that...It may be another long season for the defense, and I dont see how it can improve until next years draft, where hopefully the Broncos can get some help....

    The players claim that they will work harder to improve, but honestly, hard work will only get you so far. After that it is natural God-given ability which will take a person to the next level....

    If anyone knows any good prayers..............

  • October 14, 2008

    7:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MRBONG writes:

    has anyone noticed the broncos had a preety good defense untill al wilson stopped playing, we were on are way to the playoffs then he got hurt ,san fran. came into denver destroyed are defense and it has stunk ever since. everyone wants to point to the dline as the problem, i think elvis and marcus thomas are preety good and will get better if you ask me are number one priority should be middle linebacker ,and then safty , i dont see why they cut josh barret he was the biggest fastest safty on the team, and we also need a good running back , were putting to much pressure on cutler who seems to be declineing as the season moves on , it seems to me the majority of the passes being completed against the defense are 7-10 yards down the field on 3rd down in linebacker coverage when we drafted john mobley every one said we needed dline help ,they were wrong then and theyre wrong now , are main concern is MLB

  • October 14, 2008

    7:43 a.m.

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    BVilleBronco writes:

    Here's a simple answer to the problem. Do what other teams do that have 1 cornerback that stands above the rest. Lock Champ down on the other team’s best receiver no matter where he lines up. That's what the Jags did with Mathis and it's what other teams often do. It will bruise Bly's ego but it will help the team. Right now, we always leave Champ on the same side no matter what - teams don't even have to waste their number 1 receiver on his side - they just line guys up on Champ's side to occupy him then throw to everyone else. Well - there's the simple answer that I don't get paid millions for. Seems like a coach that's making as much as Shanny could figure it out or have the balls to actually do it. If he doesn't he should invest some of that jack he's making and buy some because it's only going to get worse if he doesn't.

  • October 14, 2008

    8:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    maverick7 writes:

    BVille, i couldn't agree more. Clamp Champ on their #1 WR and let the D tell the O what to do. Dre is getting burned but it is also the style of D the Broncs are playing. The zone stuff has to stop. If you have what many say are the top CB's in the league, let them play that way. Chuck the WR on the line and man up! That actually frees up LB and S for covering TE and RB. Talking about it is simpler that doing it but don't we have the master mind running the show.

  • October 14, 2008

    9:05 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    The fact that Bailey has been thrown against 0 times in the past two weeks speaks more about our pass rush than anything else I could think of.
    I'm supportive of the young group, and believe our best days are in the future...but as for the present, OUCH!

  • October 14, 2008

    9:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoNative writes:

    4 and 2 really is a forward leaning record. Here in Brown land they are getting orgasmic for going 2-3 last night. Makes me ill.

    Please, Denver, bring your "A" game to Cleveland. Give me gloating rights!!!!

  • October 14, 2008

    9:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    des696 writes:

    What has been irritating me is seeing Bailey & Bly 10 yds off the ball every play! If you watch the majority of the teams in the league, corners are playing press coverage and are being aggressive - not us. Also, if you're gonna run a 3-4 defense, RUN IT! Put Webster and Niko in the middle and Williams and B.Bailey outside. And let them bring some heat while our corners are pressing with safety help over the top.

  • October 14, 2008

    11:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jubei writes:

    Has anyone else noticed that for at least two seasons now, the opposing teams tight ends have absolutely KILLED us? The Jags game was a case in point. Lewis and Estandia had their way with the Denver LBs and safeties.

    I know Boss is banged up, but he was supposed to come in and keep up with Gates, Gonzo, etc, but he's been nowhere to be found on pass coverage.

    I also agree with the idea of moving Champ around to stay with the opposing teams best WR. Hell, in the KC game, I could not believe that Huard had Bowe wide open the whole game, and Slowik did nothing to stop that. If you are getting destroyed by the other teams #1 WR, put your #1 cover guy on him and take it away from them.

    That said, I think we somehow find a way to take the next one away from NE. I see no way for SD to beat up on them like that and not have the Broncos do the same thing. Yeah, it's in Foxboro, but we've punked Belichick there before, and we'll do it again.

    Jason

  • October 14, 2008

    1:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jugdish writes:

    Bly gets smoked every game. That's why those teams pick on him so much. Champ needs a fellow CB back there who is a first round talent. Bly is now only a good nickelback. Plus, let's not even talk about how bad the safeties look. And Champ needs help from the pass rush. It's non-existent! Jugdish will do some research and get back on this topic tonight.

  • October 14, 2008

    2:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AZBroncosFan writes:

    Denver's Scheme would work perfect if they had a good front 4 to pass rush. I mean opposing QBs have ALL DAY to throw the football. Even if your playing coverage one or 2 guys should be able to get through to at least rush the QB into passing the ball but it just is not happening right now. Our best defensive game was when we had a successful pass rush against the Bucs. IF we can do that every game we will win a lot more football games and Champ will see the ball more.

  • October 14, 2008

    3:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AngelontheSidelines writes:

    Regarding the bad calls vs the Jags, Ryan Clady's holding call early was bullchit.

    I don't know how many times I saw third down conversion passes this year where someone on the Broncs D line was spun around by a hold.

    The Broncs got a few calls their way this season, and the refs did err, but by and large the refs calls usually go against the Broncos.

  • October 14, 2008

    3:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    I guess I havent been paying that much attention to who is covering who...I just assumed that Bailey was covering the other teams best receiver...Slowik is a fool if he isnt using Bailey on the other teams best WR...Bly cant cover like he used too...Safeties are really struggling....Is it any wonder teams love to pass on the Broncos?

    The Broncs better find a way to stop the other teams offense, or its gonna be another year of missing the playoffs....or 1st round exit from the playoffs....

  • October 14, 2008

    3:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    AngelontheSidelines, stop complaining about the bad calls, already. You're starting to sound like a Chargers fan. Don't lower yourself to their pathetic level. Bad calls happen. Welcome to football. Now get over it and look to next week. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!

  • October 14, 2008

    4:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cutlers_the_bomb writes:

    AngelontheSidelines, I agree. Also, how about the 3 terrible calls by the refs in the 4th quarter? Especially the pass interference. That was a bunch of bull. Honestly, from his angle, I didn't see squat. That was ridiculous, and that would've given us the ball back. Our defense actually did stop them at times, but where we stopped them, some bull crap penalty was thrown against us, and if you watched the game, even the commentators all said that the refs needed to get their eyes checked. They couldn't see it either. However, we can't change it, so we can't continue to cry over spilled milk. We have had calls go both ways, but it always seems like there are more negative calls than positive.
    As for Denver's problems, we needed to have at least LOOKED for someone we could trade for, but we didn't even FREAKING LOOK AROUND! Honestly, we needed to have tried to trade for some sort of pass rush specialist, like Mark Anderson from the Chicago Bears. He and Dumervil would be a scary tandem. Also, our line is young and inexperienced, like DeimosJB said. Give them time, and besides, the goal for Denver this year should to at least make the playoffs, if not win the division. This season will be a win if we can make the playoffs, whether it be by Wild Card or AFC West champs. There is a bright future for this defense, but we need to find a CB who is fast, good size, fearless, and athletic, like a rookie Champ Bailey, so that we can get him up to speed. Also, I think we need to find a very good D-End in the draft; heck, maybe even trade for Hayward at the end of the season. We need another pass rusher opposite of Dumervil, and Engelberger is not the answer. I admire his motor, but he just can't rush the passer. Jarvis is starting to look a little hungrier, and he was getting close to Garrard, but we need more than close; close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

  • October 14, 2008

    4:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    truth22 writes:

    Let's see, Oakland with basically a rookie QB and Tampa Bay with Griese. What coordinator in their right mind would let those two go after Champ? Big deal! Brees and Rivers seem to do well against him.
    Btw, can his brother play ONE game without getting carted off the field?

  • October 14, 2008

    4:31 p.m.

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    tonyfromjersey writes:

    Playing zone with that D-Line is like taking candy from a baby

  • October 14, 2008

    4:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    If you were to look up the word overrated in websters the two photos you would see would be Champ's and the Chargers LT. Both are benefitting from opposing teams fear of their past achievements. It takes an act of Congress for teams to change their philosophies even though they are archaic. You need to look no further than their still employing the "Prevent Defense" to enhance my point. Enjoy the nonexploitation for as long as you can boys but sooner or later even a bear in hibernation eventually wakes up!

  • October 14, 2008

    4:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bwall19 writes:

    DUH! Dre Bly stinks! That is why all other offenses, for the most part, will go his way cuz he is PATHETIC! He said from the get go he didn't want to be here and it shows. Shanahan needs to realize he's pathetic and get rid of him. He's worthless!

  • October 14, 2008

    4:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    truth22 writes:

    Cutler, give me a break! All of the blown calls or non calls you guys have had go for you this year, you should be thankful that you are in first place. Open YOUR eyes!

  • October 14, 2008

    5:20 p.m.

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    Broncody writes:

    Truth just sounds like a "hater." Anyways I was just wondering when the last time we signed a good FA D-lineman? I Miss Trevor Pryce and Bertrand Berry. Oh Simeon Rice doesn't really count.

  • October 14, 2008

    5:37 p.m.

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    tonyfromjersey writes:

    Im sick of watching this D get pushed up and down the field. I think Shanny needs to get a real personnell type that can draft some studs in the front seven. Offense OK let Shanny pick but D? no way..If Champ wants to play off the line so he can see into the backfield OK, but everybody else needs to blitz and stunt a whole lot more. A couple of blitzes on third down and you get a stop that changes the whole game. And BTW theres no way Jay has a stronger arm than Johnny.. hush yo mouth child

  • October 14, 2008

    5:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    higgy writes:

    I don't want to hear all of this "We lost the game because of bad calls." Don't get me wrong they were bad calls. However, I think Shanny put it right when he said it should have never gotten to that point and we should have put the game away in the first half. They refs are always going to make bad calls but teams need to overcome that. Just like the infamous Jay Cutler fumble in the SD game. The Chargers cried the whole next week about it. But the truth is they still had a chance to win the game and failed to do it on the fourth down play and the two point conversion. It all comes down to turnovers. The two games where we really struggled with turnovers we lost. It is safe to say that this team's defense is going to struggle this year. We can't go out in the middle of the season and get new star players. But the Broncos do have one of the best offenses in the NFL and can win games for us. It's probably to early for this young team to think Super Bowl but they will definitely be contenders for the next few years as long as Cutler and Marshall stay at the top of their game while denver can fill some holes that need to be filled. As for now though "JUST HOLD ON TO THE FREAKING BALL!!" and we should win the majority of our games.

  • October 14, 2008

    6:10 p.m.

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    dmacp writes:

    Dre Bly has been a total bust in my opinion. He is constantly getting beat, or out of position, or just not up to the physical task of bigger receivers.

  • October 14, 2008

    9:18 p.m.

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    daRock writes:

    Cutlers said:

    "As for Denver's problems, we needed to have at least LOOKED for someone we could trade for, but we didn't even FREAKING LOOK AROUND! Honestly, we needed to have tried to trade for some sort of pass rush specialist, like Mark Anderson from the Chicago Bears."

    How do you know the Broncos did not even look around? Great nose tackles or pass rushers are rare and not being offered up by the teams they are on.

    Did you see how much Dallas gave up to get Williams today? For an excellent but still #2 receiver. What would Denver have to give up to get a top D lineman?

    There is a reason very very few trades go down during the NFL season.

  • October 15, 2008

    12:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    jersey, we are awake. Now you can go back to sleep. Champ and LT are top notch players and you need to learn to "just say no".
    As far as the D, I will just watch and see if they improve. Complaining about it won't help. It's not like Shanahan reads these posts and basis his decisions by what we say... I'm just along for the ride.