Bailey may get shot to be offensive [Archive] - The Orange Mane

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SoCalBronco

08-01-2005, 12:12 AM

Bailey may get shot to be offensive
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer

Cornerback Champ Bailey smiles at the thought of playing some wide receiver this season for the Broncos. He had one catch for 11 yards last season but says he is a better receiver than last year when he joined the team. (Post / John Leyba)

Champ Bailey isn't sure when he will work with the offense again, but he knows it's coming.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan won't say when or how much the star cornerback will work at receiver but said there will be times Bailey works into the offense.

"Yes, he will work in practice some with the offense at some point," Shana- han said.

That is fine with Bailey, whose play at receiver last season went from a buzz in training camp to an afterthought by the end of the season.

SoCalBronco

08-01-2005, 12:12 AM

"Anything I can do to help the team win, I'll do," Bailey said. "I want to play all the time, so I'm looking forward to it again."

Bailey focused on receiver in some of the developmental camp season. He played offense in several games early last year, but it was something the team went away from around midseason. Bailey had one catch for 11 yards last season.

Bailey said he is heading into this season a better receiver than he was when he came to Denver in a trade with Washington for Clinton Portis.

"I watch Rod Smith run routes every day," Bailey said. "That right there helps me. I think I'm smoother in my route running."

The Broncos appear to be deeper at receiver, so having Bailey on offense likely would be in unusual packages.

"It's probably best for a defensive player to play offense as a surprise or in different situations," Bailey said. "That's where you'll see me."

No concerns about Pryce

Three days into training camp, the Broncos are convinced Trevor Pryce's back woes, which plagued his almost all of last season, are behind him.

Pryce, who had surgery on his back in September, has practiced every day, although he likely will rest one practice a day during two-a-day workouts.

"There's no signs of any repercussions of his other injuries," Shanahan said. "He's full-speed

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ahead."
Pryce said he doesn't exactly feel good but that's par for the course during camp.

"It's just the normal rigor mortis of camp," Pryce said. "I don't feel any worse than I did this time last year before I was injured."

Adjustments on the line

The Broncos on Sunday signed center Ben Nowland, who was cut Thursday by Washington. Nowland's signing became necessary when Josh Sewell, a sixth-round pick in 2004, abruptly retired Saturday.

Sewell's retirement moves sixth- round pick Chris Myers to backup center behind Tom Nalen. However, if Nalen gets hurt, left guard Ben Hamilton would be moved.

Still, Myers is excited about the extra work in training camp. He also is working at long snapper behind incumbent Mike Leach. Myers hasn't snapped since high school.

"But I did it one-handed, so that doesn't count," Myers said.

Footnotes

The Broncos will consider candidates for their Ring of Fame as early as today. Former safety Steve Atwater is a top candidate. ... Veteran Keith Burns has been working a lot with the second team at middle linebacker, and Terry Pierce has been working at outside linebacker.

Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.

orange crusher

08-01-2005, 12:41 AM

I've got mixed feelings about Champ playing offense. I think he could add something to the offense, but I just don't like him playing offense with the lack of experienced backup corners. We've got plenty of receivers to get it done.

Great news on Pryce. I've seen this in multiple places and it's GREAT news for the defensive line. With a healthy Pryce, the defensive line is already better than last year. If Brown, Warren, Engelberger, Myers, and Ekuban come to play, the D-Line will be vastly improved.

Macnut

08-01-2005, 12:58 AM

He should concentrate of being a DB. IMO he still needs alot to improve based on last season.

Daddy T

08-01-2005, 01:07 AM

I hope he does play offense. It will increase his chances of getting injured and it will also wear his ass out before the fourth quarter or Kennison will do that anyway.

orange crusher

08-01-2005, 01:09 AM

I hope he does play offense. It will increase his chances of getting injured and it will also wear his ass out before the fourth quarter or Kennison will do that anyway.

Kennison who?
:unamused:

Rausch

08-01-2005, 01:12 AM

I hope he does play offense. It will increase his chances of getting injured and it will also wear his ass out before the fourth quarter or Kennison will do that anyway.

No, what it will do is give any defense another reason to think "WTF do here?"

Even if he doesn't catch a pass you have to account for him. If nothing else it's a brilliant decoy...

Macnut

08-01-2005, 01:37 AM

No, what it will do is give any defense another reason to think "WTF do here?"

Even if he doesn't catch a pass you have to account for him. If nothing else it's a brilliant decoy...
Tire him out so he can't play defense? Good move?

Rausch

08-01-2005, 01:48 AM

Tire him out so he can't play defense? Good move?

He's chasing a WR every defensive play he's on the field. Do you honestly think 4 more plays a game is going to tire him out?...

Macnut

08-01-2005, 01:56 AM

He's chasing a WR every defensive play he's on the field. Do you honestly think 4 more plays a game is going to tire him out?...
If thats the case then why stop on offense? Why not use him on special teams too?
Let him concentrate on being a better DB. Somebody like D. Sanders can get by playing some offense, not Champ. :juggle:

Atlas

08-01-2005, 03:33 AM

He dropped two critcal passes on slants last year. If you use him just send him on fly patterns. He might get open and he would be a good decoy.

OrangeShadow

08-01-2005, 05:53 AM

id rather him focus on defense. we have enough weapons on offense

Beantown Bronco

08-01-2005, 05:59 AM

Pretty much a carbon copy of an article printed last year about Champ....right about this time even. Way to step it up Burger Bill.

I would disagree with the "wearing out" issue. He would only be in on offense for 4-6 plays per game most likely. In college, he played pretty much every down on both offense and defense a few times if I remember correctly.

Raiders Rock

08-01-2005, 06:05 AM

Every play increases the chance of injury.... and since CB is the hardest position to play in the NFL, I don't think I want my CB playing WR unless it was an emergency.... Wait, it is an emergency, You guys are gonna start Rice.

RR

OrangeShadow

08-01-2005, 06:12 AM

yeah after rod ash and darius watts. real emergency jackass

TotallyScrewed

08-01-2005, 06:13 AM

I rather Champ saved the energy for a few more INT's...once he's completed the INT he can turn offensive by running it back.

Bronco_Beerslug

08-01-2005, 06:44 AM

It's a waste of time and energy. CB needs to concentrate completely on D.

Macnut

08-01-2005, 11:07 AM

It's a waste of time and energy. CB needs to concentrate completely on D.
That's what I've been saying! Champ could/should get alot better at DB before "thinking" about playing offense. For all that money he's getting, he should be playing alot better in pass coverage. Much too many lapses there.

NaptownChief

08-01-2005, 11:47 AM

I hope it works out as well as when Jose Canseco went to the mound.

Kaylore

08-01-2005, 12:02 PM

rbackfactory80

08-01-2005, 01:05 PM

Champ stay on Defense. He is an exceptional corner but he is not superman. People think when Champ checks in it is going to be an automatic 7 on the board.

Crushaholic

08-01-2005, 02:27 PM

Playing offense against the Chefs doesn't count. Champ needs to stay on defense.

Rascal

08-01-2005, 02:28 PM

I hate the idea....worry about the defense.

Macnut

08-01-2005, 03:36 PM

Rausch has it right. This would be used very seldomly to create mismatch problems and mess with the D's plans. They don't watch film with Bailey on O. The backs don't study and practice to beat Bailey on O. And anyone saying that he will get tired out has to be totally ignorant. He runs around on the field all day long. Three to four more plays a game isn't going to tire him out at all.

Macnut made the asinine comment "Why stop at offense? Why not play Special teams." New England patriots seemed to think that was a good idea too, but then what did they ever accomplish? ::)
I made that comment in jest. For sure its an asnine idea, but so is playing offense. It probably won't tire him at all but why do it? How good a decoy can he be that putting him on offense will distract the D? The offense got enough weapons without using a seldom used offensive player like Champ. I rather see Rice out there instead of Champ. Rice would be a far more effective decoy, wouldn't you say?

Kaylore

08-01-2005, 06:09 PM

I made that comment in jest. For sure its an asnine idea, but so is playing offense. It probably won't tire him at all but why do it? How good a decoy can he be that putting him on offense will distract the D? The offense got enough weapons without using a seldom used offensive player like Champ. I rather see Rice out there instead of Champ. Rice would be a far more effective decoy, wouldn't you say?
It depends on the situation. Rice can't stretch the field like Champ can. What about both of them? Then what do you do? Bailey picked up a first down for us in that Chiefs home game, so he can be a great weapon for us. How about Lelie, Luke, Watts and Bailey? Do teams have all the speed at corner to cover all those guys? Like I said its more of a trick play type of thing, and its one more thing a defense has to consider.

DivineLegion

08-01-2005, 06:11 PM

Id rather see Darrant Williams or Palmolive out there rather than the Champ

16-JakE-16

08-01-2005, 06:23 PM

Just concentrate on not biting on fakes please, Champ.

wabbit

08-01-2005, 08:52 PM

I asked WRs coach Steve Watson about Bailey in the offense

He says Bailey is very much in the plans, but 'purely situational'

Watson also says he thinks there may be a surprise or two at WR this year.

Kaylore

08-01-2005, 09:30 PM

wabbit

08-01-2005, 09:50 PM

Kaylore

08-01-2005, 09:55 PM

That's him...someone told me he's a NFL Euro product who hasn't dropped a ball & has really got the attention of coaches.

We'll have to see him in game conditions before any real evaluation can be done, but it's pretty clear that he won't be among the first cuts anyway.
Well its not hard to tell. I didn't talk to the coaches, but anyone can see he's made some fun catches. He gets jammed sometimes, but overall his hands look great and he can get under it deep.