Champ and Walls show confidence and swagger

[PatsWin2002]

http://www.longmontfyi.com/sports-story.asp?id=3215

Confidence game
NFL cornerbacks need speed, cover skills and quickness. They also need to play with an unshakable swagger.

By Pat Graham
The Daily Times-Call

ENGLEWOOD — No one does a better job at cornerback than Champ Bailey.

Just ask him.

“Of course I believe (I’m the best),” the Denver Broncos five-time Pro Bowler said.

Now ask cornerback Lenny Walls.

“The best in the league? Champ,” Walls said.

Who’s the second best?

“Me,” Walls said.

To be a good cornerback in this league, you need a touch of arrogance. Actually you need an industrial-sized drum of bravado.

The best cornerbacks know they’re good, and walk around with a strut in their gait. That strut is crucial. If you don’t have the swagger, you can’t play.

“You’ve got to have that attitude that nobody can beat you out here,” Bailey said. “This is my territory. If you don’t walk with that kind of swagger, guys are going to pick up on that.”

Being a cornerback means living on an island. There’s no one to rescue you. If you knock down a pass, you merely did your job. If a receiver makes a play on you, you’re going to see the back of your jersey on the ESPN highlights.

“Your mistakes are magnified,” Walls said. “You’re always in the spotlight. It’s a tough position to play. You’ve got to have the swagger you’re going to make a play every time you’re out there.”

Receivers don’t have it as rough. Sure, they’re out there with the corner, but receivers are the divas of the football world. One touchdown reception and it’s instant popularity again.

That doesn’t apply to cornerbacks. They don’t get a clean slate with an interception.

Take Bailey’s Pro Bowl season last year. If you poll the average fan, they’re going to remember how Oakland’s Jerry Porter or Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson burned him.

They saw Bailey making a tackle, and figured he was responsible. Some of it was, but some of it blown assignments. Regardless, Bailey got the share of the blame.

“Obviously, you’re going to have some bad plays,” Bailey said. “No matter what happens in adverse situations, you fight through it.”

The swagger can never, ever waver. A cornerback is only as good as his confidence.

“I’ve lost it for a couple minutes, but that’s it,” Walls said. “You get down if you get beat and you’re mad, but it has to be real short. You have to get over it quickly.”

And that’s what assistant defensive backs coach Jimmy Spencer preaches — short-term memory. Remember the mistake, but don’t dwell on it.

“Once you let someone take your confidence, you might as well go home,” Spencer said. “You’ve got to have confidence. That’s what we instill in them every day. We find good in every play, even if they get beat.


“I don’t want my guys coming out here and I’m all over them all day long, and I take their confidence away from them. I’m learning I need to build their confidence.”

Cornerback Roc Alexander could be filled with doubt.

After all, he got beat by Indy’s Reggie Wayne for 221 yards in last year’s playoff loss. Yet his confidence hasn’t suffered.

“When you have a game like that, it’s just adversity,” Spencer said. “Are you mentally tough to come back? Roc’s tough. I don’t even mention it. That’s behind us and we’ve go to look forward.”

Watch Walls in practice sometime. Keep an eye on him. He looks like he’s having a ball.

“If you’re not having fun, you’re not going to play well,” said Walls, who missed nine games last year due to separated shoulder. “I’m always having fun.”

That’s why the coaches have told rookies like Darrent Williams, Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah to pay close attention to Walls.

“I bring enthusiasm, energy and swagger to the secondary,” Walls said. “They (the coaches) want me to continue to do that because they think everybody feeds off of it.”

The rookies certainly do. They watch and emulate.

“I feel like I can be one of the top guys,” Williams said.

See, he already has the arrogance. So does Foxworth.

“Talent-wise, I feel like I fit right in,” Foxworth said.

Walls can’t believe the rookies’ level of confidence.

“They have the swagger, confidence and love to compete,” Walls said. “That’s the three qualities you’ve got to have at cornerback when you’re out there by yourself.”

Against Houston on Saturday, Williams drew the assignment of covering Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson. He wasn’t the least bit nervous, just confident.

“If you can stay close to Andre, you can pretty much stay close to anyone in this league,” Williams said.

Williams held his ground versus Johnson, and now he’s more self-assured than ever.

“You’ve got to be confident in this league,” Williams said.

Bailey’s impressed with Williams’ self-assuredness. It rivals Bailey’s own. Even when Johnson torched Williams for a 15-yard gain on the second play from scrimmage, Williams’ poise didn’t suffer.

“You don’t even have to say anything to a guy like that,” Bailey said. “Nine times out of 10 that guy won’t get beat again.

“Fox has that same swagger; Paymah, too. They may be rookies, but they’re far ahead of the game. They believe in what they can do.”

The rookies have learned about confidence from the best. Ask Bailey what kind of year he and Walls are going to have, and he’ll predict big things.

“We know how good we are,” Bailey said. “Now we’re going to show the whole country how good we are.”

[rbackfactory80]

Quite frankly I have had enough of the talk, just go out and play some solid defense. Show me on the field please.

[kent156]

nice read

[broncosteven]

Quite frankly I have had enough of the talk, just go out and play some solid defense. Show me on the field please.


I agree, I hate the word Swagger & wish it was stricken from the NFL Lexicon. Swagger is for Neon Leon Col. Sanders & Thugs like Ray Ray not the Broncos. Roc can Swagger right out the door, prove you can cover a guy & not give up 221 yards in your last game before talking smack, you got to make the team before you can talk smack.

When the Broncos are the #1 (no less) rated D & have a ton of Turnovers to their Credit then they can start the smack talk, just please do not use the "S" word!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Quite frankly I have had enough of the talk, just go out and play some solid defense. Show me on the field please.

This is the kind of crap I can't stand! Every time these people start mouthing off how good they are we suffer injuries or losses. It's locker room fodder for every other team.

Really can't understand why these guys can't shut up and let their play prove how good they are.

[PatsWin2002]

Hmmmm......don't read too much into it.

I don't think it's locker room material. The point is that you have to believe you are the best .....because you need the confidence that goes along with that mentality.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Hmmmm......don't read too much into it.

I don't think it's locker room material. The point is that you have to believe you are the best .....because you need the confidence that goes along with that mentality.
I agree you have to beleive you can play with anyone but you sure don't put that stuff in print. Ask Walls what happened to him right after he spouted off last year.

[enjolras]

T.O. would be an unbelievable corner :)

[footstepsfrom#27]

Hmmmm......don't read too much into it.

I don't think it's locker room material. The point is that you have to believe you are the best .....because you need the confidence that goes along with that mentality.
Agreed.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I agree you have to beleive you can play with anyone but you sure don't put that stuff in print. Ask Walls what happened to him right after he spouted off last year.
I doubt his injury had anything to do with him speaking his mind. I want our CB's to be at least a little arrogant. Most of the great ones are.

[Hogan11]

Walls as the second best?

Don't you have to play an entire season to make such a claim first?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Walls as the second best?

Don't you have to play an entire season to make such a claim first?
Exactly!

[rbackfactory80]

Hmmmm......don't read too much into it.

I don't think it's locker room material. The point is that you have to believe you are the best .....because you need the confidence that goes along with that mentality.

There is nothing wrong with you thinking you are the best to yourself and your play not your mouth should show that.

[BroncoInferno]

Walls as the second best?

Don't you have to play an entire season to make such a claim first?

He already has played a complete season...in 2003. In fact, he played damn near a Pro Bowl level for much of the season covering a teams #1 WR. He struggled a bit in the middle of the season, but had picked it up by the end. And this in his first year as a starter! This notion that he's injury prone is ridiculous. He's been healthy one season, unhealthy for another. That doesn't come even close to passing the injury prone litmus test. He's going to be a good one.

[footstepsfrom#27]

There is nothing wrong with you thinking you are the best to yourself and your play not your mouth should show that.
Walls was asked a question. He answered the question. If he said somebody else was 2nd best, people would bash the guy for a lack of confidence.

Sometimes you can't win no matter what you say. These guys get a mic stuck in their face every day. Sooner or later something comes out that gives the sports writer a chance for a story.

[2KBack]

Walls as the second best?

Don't you have to play an entire season to make such a claim first?

Well I certainly don't want my starting corner going into a season thinking, "oh God, I hope I can play well and don't get hurt again." He'd surely get burned then. Swagger is a good thing to have, it isn't arrogance, it is confidence. The entire Team had swagger in 97-98, when they stepped on the field they expected to win. Swagger says "We are gonna do what we do, just try and stop us."

[footstepsfrom#27]

Well I certainly don't want my starting corner going into a season thinking, "oh God, I hope I can play well and don't get hurt again." He'd surely get burned then. Swagger is a good thing to have, it isn't arrogance, it is confidence. The entire Team had swagger in 97-98, when they stepped on the field they expected to win. Swagger says "We are gonna do what we do, just try and stop us."
Good post.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Walls was asked a question. He answered the question. If he said somebody else was 2nd best, people would bash the guy for a lack of confidence.

Sometimes you can't win no matter what you say. These guys get a mic stuck in their face every day. Sooner or later something comes out that gives the sports writer a chance for a story.
What's wrong with saying that's for you guys to decide. I'm going to do everything I can to help this team win....and leave it at that.

I don't hear any of the Patriots proclaiming they're the best (even though a lot of them are, just take a look at their ring fingers).

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Well I certainly don't want my starting corner going into a season thinking, "oh God, I hope I can play well and don't get hurt again." He'd surely get burned then. Swagger is a good thing to have, it isn't arrogance, it is confidence. The entire Team had swagger in 97-98, when they stepped on the field they expected to win. Swagger says "We are gonna do what we do, just try and stop us."
Is that what these guys have been telling the Colts the last couple years?

[Jetmeck]

He already has played a complete season...in 2003. In fact, he played damn near a Pro Bowl level for much of the season covering a teams #1 WR. He struggled a bit in the middle of the season, but had picked it up by the end. And this in his first year as a starter! This notion that he's injury prone is ridiculous. He's been healthy one season, unhealthy for another. That doesn't come even close to passing the injury prone litmus test. He's going to be a good one.

I agree Walls played pretty darn good for us in 2003, we all know Bailey didn't quite play to his standards last year.
Bailey will bring the best in Walls and Bailey will be improved this year, I mean the guy is just too talented not to. I think all of the Wall's doubters will be pleasntly surprised this year, he has the size and the tools to be
a TOP 5 corner. One injury prone year means nothing.
I like the attitude a LOT, but that said play with attitude,
talk all you want to the other team but don't go overboard with this type of stuff in the media, I don't like RAY RAY's escapades and I surely do not want a Bronco player acting like that idiot. So just tone it down a bit, boys.........but kick some butt.

Just wanted to add, Walls got rid of Rosenhaus and openly said he wants to stay in Denver, this guy is saying and doing it right !

[footstepsfrom#27]

What's wrong with saying that's for you guys to decide. I'm going to do everything I can to help this team win....and leave it at that.

I don't hear any of the Patriots proclaiming they're the best (even though a lot of them are, just take a look at their ring fingers).
"I'm going to do everything I can to help this team win", sounds like "We're takin' 'em one day at a time".

Boring.

It's more fun to debate whether he's an arrogant **** or just a super confident DB fixin' to have a break out year. Could ya get excited about a CB who doesn't push the envelope a bit?

[2KBack]

Is that what these guys have been telling the Colts the last couple years?

I don't understand, What kind of team do you want? Do you Not want these guys to have faith in their skills? I want my team to know that they are the best team on the field, and then prove any doubters wrong. You are talkng like these guys should be down on themselves. If you are worried that a team will be "fired up," or afraid of another teams ability, you've got no buisness playing corner in the NFL.

[OrangeShadow]

great post :thumb:

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I don't understand, What kind of team do you want? Do you Not want these guys to have faith in their skills? I want my team to know that they are the best team on the field, and then prove any doubters wrong. You are talkng like these guys should be down on themselves. If you are worried that a team will be "fired up," or afraid of another teams ability, you've got no buisness playing corner in the NFL.
It's real simple! One that shows what they're made on the field not mouthing off in the newspapers. This team hasn't earned ANYTHING yet! The Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Eagles (minus the 2 mouths) are the examples of how you play the game. You don't hear any of them proclaiming they're the best. Even Paytown tells the media that's for you guys, not me to decide when asked that very question.

In fact, this team is on the verge of disentegrating if they don't improve this year.

[2KBack]

In fact, this team is on the verge of disentegrating if they don't improve this year.

"Fact" is not a word to throw around so recklessly.

It's obvious that we have interpreted the article differently. You see it as mouthy showmanship, While all I saw was a confidant player answer a question (and give a good asnwer IMO).

I don't see how you could predict a team with one losing record in 10 years is on the verge of disentegrting though, expecially with what looks like such a promising crop of young players.

I suppose the season shall show

[DB-Freak]

WoW

Some of the posts just make me do this :pity:.

Incredible.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

"Fact" is not a word to throw around so recklessly.

It's obvious that we have interpreted the article differently. You see it as mouthy showmanship, While all I saw was a confidant player answer a question (and give a good asnwer IMO).

I don't see how you could predict a team with one losing record in 10 years is on the verge of disentegrting though, expecially with what looks like such a promising crop of young players.

I suppose the season shall show

Because if Jake doesn't do it this year we start rebuilding IMO. Don't you remember the flak, the specualtion last year? If Plummer starts flipping off fans again and we don't win a playoff game........Goodbye Jake (and possibly goodbye Shanahan).

[2KBack]

Because if Jake doesn't do it this year we start rebuilding IMO. Don't you remember the flak, the specualtion last year? If Plummer starts flipping off fans again and we don't win a playoff game........Goodbye Jake.


I remember a lot of speculation about that here, but I don't remember anything being said officially. I will grant though, if we have a rookie or 1st year starter leading the team next year, that could be a rough season.

[jonny1]

Because if Jake doesn't do it this year we start rebuilding IMO. Don't you remember the flak, the specualtion last year? If Plummer starts flipping off fans again and we don't win a playoff game........Goodbye Jake (and possibly goodbye Shanahan).

I think you are way off base on this.

How many times does Bowlen have to say that Shanahan is here as long as he wants to be?

And Plummer isn't going anywhere for a few years, you might as well deal with it.

[rbackfactory80]

I think you are way off base on this.

How many times does Bowlen have to say that Shanahan is here as long as he wants to be?

And Plummer isn't going anywhere for a few years, you might as well deal with it.

This is not the NBA. You have to perform well. If Plummer has a bad year what do you think the Broncos will do with there 2 first round picks. This is his last chance to make it right. Denver is not the Arizona Cardinals, the Broncos are expected to win. Also supporting your coach is always the politically correct thing to do until the moment he is fired.

[Kaylore]

This is not the NBA. You have to perform well. If Plummer has a bad year what do you think the Broncos will do with there 2 first round picks. This is his last chance to make it right. Denver is not the Arizona Cardinals, the Broncos are expected to win. Also supporting your coach is always the politically correct thing to do until the moment he is fired.
Actually the way Van Pelt has developed, even if Plummer had a bad year (which he won't) I don't see us going Qb in round 1 this year.

[rbackfactory80]

There are some very good qb's coming into next years draft, maybe so good that they just cant get passed up. Especially seeing that we should have a top 5 from the redskins.

[ludo21]

Actually the way Van Pelt has developed, even if Plummer had a bad year (which he won't) I don't see us going Qb in round 1 this year.


I agree, why draft another QB to put into the system when the one we have is playing well now??

I agree, swagger at corner is a must, but these guys should not talk to the press this way, dont give fuel to enemies.

[Kaylore]

I agree, why draft another QB to put into the system when the one we have is playing well now??

I agree, swagger at corner is a must, but these guys should not talk to the press this way, dont give fuel to enemies.
Not to mention the cost of a top five QB pick. Say goodbye to at least three good players should we go that route.

[ludo21]

Not to mention the cost of a top five QB pick. Say goodbye to at least three good players should we go that route.


Exactly, and just as the PAts have proved time and time again, its all about keeping ur team together and playing together, 1 player cant win a SB. (Manning)

[footstepsfrom#27]

I agree, why draft another QB to put into the system when the one we have is playing well now??

I agree, swagger at corner is a must, but these guys should not talk to the press this way, dont give fuel to enemies.
There are 3 weeks to go before they even play their first real game...think anybody on the Dolphins gives a flip what Walls said in some offhand comment to a Denver reporter in training camp? Think they'll even know?

Doubt it.

[rbackfactory80]

Not to mention the cost of a top five QB pick. Say goodbye to at least three good players should we go that route.

You mean the cost of a top 5 any pick. Cedrick benson wants 40 mill and he is 4 pick runningback. Unbelievable.

[Bronx33]

Quite frankly I have had enough of the talk, just go out and play some solid defense. Show me on the field please.


Yep! LET'S GET IT ON!

[DBroncos4life]

Not to mention the cost of a top five QB pick. Say goodbye to at least three good players should we go that route.


That maybe but think about this

Elway 5 SB's first round pick
Marino 1 SB first round pick
Aikman 3 SB's first round pick
Kelly 4 SB's first round pick
McMahon 1 SB first round pick
Dilfer 1 SB first round pick
Bradshaw 4 SB's first round pick
Bledsoe 1 SB first round pick
Namath 1 SB first round pick


Im sure the list goes on and on. More often then not the QB leading one of the teams in the super bowl was a top 20 pick.

[Kaylore]

Oh come on, Dilfer?

I get your point, but there are some exceptions like Tim Couch, Brady and Leaf.

[Cito Pelon]

Confidence is OK, you have to have it. BUt constantly tooting your own horn like a lot of these guys do is clownish. What, part of the confidence-building method is repeat "I'm the best" over and over publicly? It's clownish.

Maybe it's just the opposite, they're insecure.

[Hogan11]

There is nothing wrong with you thinking you are the best to yourself and your play not your mouth should show that.

This is what I wanna see more of in the NFL.

If Walls thinks he's the second best in the league.....well then, don't talk about it, do it and make them believe.

In this "what have you done for me lately" league, 2003 is long ago and far away.....no one is giving this team a serious chance in the press, flapping your gums to them isn't going to change their opinions or open any eyes one iota.....it's simply time to shut up and put up.

[clarker]

Oh come on, Dilfer?

I get your point, but there are some exceptions like Tim Couch, Brady and Leaf.Dog on Dilfer if you want, but in the middle of Jake's string of throwing 9 INT's vs 2 TD's I would have cut my nuts off to get Dilfer.

[DBroncos4life]

Oh come on, Dilfer?

I get your point, but there are some exceptions like Tim Couch, Brady and Leaf.


Dilfer was a top pick. He won a ring. Sure there have been lots of first round flops but you have to take that chance. There are lots of others that I missed as well.

[Cleo McDowell]

[QUOTE=broncosteven]I agree, I hate the word Swagger & wish it was stricken from the NFL Lexicon. Swagger is for Neon Leon Col. Sanders & Thugs like Ray Ray not the Broncos.QUOTE]

you know what word or term i hate that is the NFL lexicon?
Sexy pic. makes me laugh and shake my head when i sportswriter or analysts say things like "It wasn't a sexy pick, but taking the best OL available was the best and safest choice." This word should never be used in professional football.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

There are some very good qb's coming into next years draft, maybe so good that they just cant get passed up. Especially seeing that we should have a top 5 from the redskins.

Who? Leinert is the only sure first round pick right now. All of the others have major question marks.

[rbackfactory80]

vince young

[rbackfactory80]

Mike vick with a resemblence of an arm, and I am not saying his arm is weak just can't pass for his life. He has some work to do but he is an exciting player.

[tornado927]

"Being a cornerback means living on an island. There’s no one to rescue you. If you knock down a pass, you merely did your job. If a receiver makes a play on you, you’re going to see the back of your jersey on the ESPN highlights."

Being an ex-CB (a LONG time ago :injured:....and not an NFL one) I have a little bit of an idea about what these guys are talking about. I really don't think they are attempting to come accross as arrogant, I am the first person to jump a person for running off at the mouth, but I chalk the way this article reads as arrogant to the author, not the players.

You can only do wrong as a DB, its extremely rare when you make a play that breaks a game open for your team, on the other hand, its very easy to make ONE mistake that can blow the game for your team. So you HAVE to convince yourself IN YOUR OWN MIND that you are the best, if you don't...if you start to second guess your abilities, you are dead. Now, I'm sure this holds true at other positions as well, but I honestly believe it holds no more true then at the DB.

Like our poster said, don't read too much into it...I really believe the author is the catalyst for this...not the players.

[Lestat]

I agree, I hate the word Swagger & wish it was stricken from the NFL Lexicon. Swagger is for Neon Leon Col. Sanders & Thugs like Ray Ray not the Broncos.


the word swagger isn't for the Broncos? that's the dumbest thing i've ever heard
apparently you never watched Shannon Sharpe,Clinton Portis or Champ Bailey play before

every great team in history has a swagger about them, they know their good & then they go prove it to the entire world
some state it publicly while others are quiet & just use their play to state it for em but every team has a swagger or ego to em, it's what makes great teams great

i don't care if you talk trash as long as you back it up & both Walls & Bailey can back it up, every team needs a ego player or 2(not TO ego but Shannon Sharpe or Ray Lewis ego)cause when their on they fire up everyone with their passion & if they play well everyone else will want to step up

[Lestat]

there are plenty of QB's to choose from next draft, not every successful QB is a top 5 pick but the one i'd really like & hope he slips like Big Ben is Omar Jacobs
the kid is like a mix of Daunte Culpepper & Donovan McNabb, he knows when to run & when to pass, he is accurate & know how to sniff out that endzone

i'm really hoping the Broncos get Jacobs & Kiwanuka with the 2 1sts next year but anything can happen between now & then