Champ AFC Defensive Player of the Month

[gunns]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=4986

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Bailey Paces Turnover Trend

But Broncos' 14 Takeways in Last Five Games Are a Team Effort

By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Champ Bailey's selection as the AFC's defensive player of the month might have been officially considered an individual accomplishment, and with three interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- and 20 tackles in the month, it would be hard to argue against his selection on purely individual merits.

But consider that Bailey got the award primarily because he was the only player in the NFL to intercept a pass in each of his November games. Consider that the perennial Pro Bowler already established a career standard for interceptions with five games still remaining and participation in just nine of the Broncos' first 11 games. Consider that Bailey missed approximately half the game or more in three of the nine games in which he did play.

"I think this year, I'm getting more balls, but the thing is, I'm getting my hands on them and I'm not dropping them," Bailey said. "That's one thing about it. You're going to get opportunities. You just can't drop them."

But more than just No. 24 is at work here, and it's worth noting that Bailey's performance is merely emblematic of the defense as a whole. The seventh-year cornerback has never procured interceptions like he has this year. And the defense and special teams have not wrestled the football away from opponents at this strong a rate since 2001, when the Broncos forced 37 turnovers -- the most for any season in the last 15 years. They're on pace to force 36 takeways this autumn.

"I'll tell you what, it's a great thing to actually have the ball bounce our way," safety Nick Ferguson said. "We didn't have that before."

The five turnovers forced by the Broncos' defense and special teams against the New York Jets on Nov. 20 took the season total to 23 -- surpassing the 20 turnovers coaxed by the defense through all 16 games in each of the previous two seasons.

"I think turnovers are always a determining factor (in winning or losing)," Head Coach Mike Shanahan said.

Interceptions by Bailey and Ferguson at Dallas on Nov. 24 swelled the Broncos' turnover tally to 14 in the last five games and 25 for the season.

"More teams were getting more turnovers than we were (in previous years)," Ferguson said, "and right now we're able to help our offense getting those turnovers and I think it's a combination of a lot of things that are contributing that from the D-line to the linebackers and the secondary, how we're playing right now."

Bailey and others in the back seven of the defense may be snaring the turnovers -- particularly the interceptions -- but the genesis of them comes from up front.

"We're stopping the run first and foremost. That gives you a chance to tee off and bring some pressure," safety John Lynch said. "Pressure and turnovers go hand in hand. Pressure and people being in the right spots and then playing good smart team defense. I think that's what we've done."

Added Ferguson: "We're able to put some pressure and (create) some turnovers with the new D-line we have, so if you want to credit anything to most of our turnovers, it's pressure."

That makes Sunday's game especially challenging, as the Kansas City Chiefs have used one of the league's most effective offensive lines to combine explosiveness with efficiency, committing only 15 turnovers so far this season. Only six teams have committed fewer -- one of which is the Broncos, with just 11 this year.

Forcing turnovers is like almost anything else in football -- it's aided by momentum. With an average of 2.8 turnovers forced in the past five games, the Broncos possess that.

Sustaining it could be the key to sustaining the team's prodigious win-loss ratio to date this season.

"We've got it rolling and we need to keep it rolling," Lynch said. "It's proven to everyone that it is successful. Thursday against Dallas we didn't play our best game, but we didn't lose the turnover margin. You can win football games when you do that."

[Goobzilla]

Congrats to Champ on this award. I get down on him sometimes but since TO torched him, he's been as close as you can get to a "lockdown corner" in this league anymore.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Guess who's coming to dinner...

LARRY JOHNSON NAMED NOVEMBER'S AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The National Football League informed the Chiefs on Thursday that RB Larry Johnson has been named AFC Player of the Month for November. This marks the first time he has earned this distinction, and he is the first Chiefs player to win this honor since RB Priest Holmes took home AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolades for October 2004.

Johnson (6-1, 230) was a principle contributor to the Chiefs going 3-1 in the month of November with wins vs. Oakland (11/6), at Houston (11/20) and vs. New England (11/27). Over the past four games Johnson has compiled four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, totaling 116 carries for 569 yards (4.9 avg.) with five TDs. Those four straight 100-yard games rank as the second-longest streak in team history. He also posted 14 receptions for 153 yards. Johnson’s 569 rushing yards were the most in the NFL during the month of November.

In a dramatic 27-23 win vs. Oakland Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns including his final score, a one-yard TD dive on the game’s final play. Two weeks later at Houston he recorded a Chiefs-record 211 rushing yards, surpassing the previous mark owned by RB Barry Word (200 vs. Detroit – 10/14/90). His career-high 36 carries at the Texans were also the third-highest single game total in team history. After a 119-yard rushing effort vs. New England, Johnson eclipsed the franchise record for most rushing yards in consecutive games with 330 yards.

Johnson now ranks third in the AFC in rushing with 968 yards on 191 carries (5.1 avg.) with nine touchdowns. The State College, Pennsylvania native entered the league as the Chiefs first-round draft pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum prepped at State College Area High School.

[Hotrod]

For once I agree with boob to some degree. LJ vs Denvers run D is the key to the game. Which IMO is a good thing for us. Advantage Denver :yep:

[epicSocialism4tw]

Champ is having an awesome season on one wheel and an injured shoulder. Thanks, Redskins!

[Hotrod]

Champ is having an awesome season on one wheel and an injured shoulder. Thanks, Redskins!

Exactly and hes just now getting healthy ^5

[RIBEYZE]

LARRY JOHNSON NAMED NOVEMBER'S AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTHGive 'ol butterfingers the ball. I bet he coughs it up at least once on Sunday. Don't worry, Champ will pick it up for him.

[bendog]

Guy's having a superhuman year playing with his injuries. Amazing effort. We are very fortunate to see it.

[ludo21]

Congrats to Champ on this award. I get down on him sometimes but since TO torched him, he's been as close as you can get to a "lockdown corner" in this league anymore.


He has played awesome since then, but even before then he is the main reason for the turnaround. SD game int for TD was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!! He has played great ALL year. Even in that Philly game he dominated until he tweaked his hammy. TO was going to get his, i knew that, so i wasnt worried.

[El Guapo]

"I think this year, I'm getting more balls, but the thing is, I'm getting my hands on them and I'm not dropping them," Bailey said.

this could be taken in many ways. rofl

but congrats champ! youre the man!

[watermock]

Diaper Boy deserves it...KC is still a threat....

Champ fighting thru injury all year was phenomenal....he looked his old self last week...I think he got thru clean too....he seemed to have alot more burst last week...

"I think this year, I'm getting more balls, but the thing is, I'm getting my hands on them and I'm not dropping them," Bailey said.

Not that there's anything wrong with that....

[Mile High Shack]

nice to see boob trying to hijack another thread

[Bob's your Information Minister]

nice to see boob trying to hijack another thread

C'mon...this thread was begging for that little nugget...at least I didn't start a thread about it instead.

[Master___Pain]

Surtain is still better than Bailey

[watermock]

He has played awesome since then, but even before then he is the main reason for the turnaround. SD game int for TD was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!! He has played great ALL year. Even in that Philly game he dominated until he tweaked his hammy. TO was going to get his, i knew that, so i wasnt worried.

Champ HAS NOT played great all year...last week was his first "Champ" game...he's been fightiing that hammy for months...I'm just glad he seems to be healing finally...he looked finally healthy last week....

[RhymesayersDU]

Champ is the man. I need to get his jersey soon.

[epicSocialism4tw]

C'mon...this thread was begging for that little nugget...at least I didn't start a thread about it instead.

Awww...come on...you just copied what I did on chefsplanet.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Awww...come on...you just copied what I did on chefsplanet.

To what do you refer to?

[epicSocialism4tw]

To what do you refer to?


I dont know...we were only just talking smack on that thread a couple of minutes ago.

[Play2win]

Guess who's coming to dinner...

LARRY JOHNSON NAMED NOVEMBER'S AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The National Football League informed the Chiefs on Thursday that RB Larry Johnson has been named AFC Player of the Month for November. This marks the first time he has earned this distinction, and he is the first Chiefs player to win this honor since RB Priest Holmes took home AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolades for October 2004.

Johnson (6-1, 230) was a principle contributor to the Chiefs going 3-1 in the month of November with wins vs. Oakland (11/6), at Houston (11/20) and vs. New England (11/27). Over the past four games Johnson has compiled four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, totaling 116 carries for 569 yards (4.9 avg.) with five TDs. Those four straight 100-yard games rank as the second-longest streak in team history. He also posted 14 receptions for 153 yards. Johnson’s 569 rushing yards were the most in the NFL during the month of November.

In a dramatic 27-23 win vs. Oakland Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns including his final score, a one-yard TD dive on the game’s final play. Two weeks later at Houston he recorded a Chiefs-record 211 rushing yards, surpassing the previous mark owned by RB Barry Word (200 vs. Detroit – 10/14/90). His career-high 36 carries at the Texans were also the third-highest single game total in team history. After a 119-yard rushing effort vs. New England, Johnson eclipsed the franchise record for most rushing yards in consecutive games with 330 yards.

Johnson now ranks third in the AFC in rushing with 968 yards on 191 carries (5.1 avg.) with nine touchdowns. The State College, Pennsylvania native entered the league as the Chiefs first-round draft pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum prepped at State College Area High School.

FVCK OFF BOOB!!

Start another thread if you have to, but don't come with soft Limp-AZZ-Sh!t in this thread.

Now, go run off. You might as well start crying now, because we all know next week about this time you'll be crying like a baby...

[watermock]

nice to see boob trying to hijack another thread

We have pretty much erradicated trolls here by kicking ass on the field, but Boob has incredible staying power...I doubt a 48-10 drubbing would even kill him...he's like a virus that doesn't respond to anti-biotics....the good thing is he's harmless...

[watermock]

And what is Tater Tots average there Boob?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

And what is Tater Tots average there Boob?

Why are you even bringing this up? Bell's average has dropped A FULL YARD in the last month or so. He hasn't broken fifty yards this month in a game.

That being said, I'm still scared sh!tless of him.

[HemiEd]

Surtain is still better than Bailey

I agree.

[ludo21]

Champ HAS NOT played great all year...last week was his first "Champ" game...he's been fightiing that hammy for months...I'm just glad he seems to be healing finally...he looked finally healthy last week....

whatever, i dont have as high expectations as others here i guess. ImO, he done well every game.

[Play2win]

C'mon...this thread was begging for that little nugget...at least I didn't start a thread about it instead.
BOB, Are You Post-OP, yet?!?

[Bronco202]

Geez, Bob really struck a nerve with play2lose.

[Master___Pain]

I agree.


Proving you are as big a moron as Boob. I was wondering how long before some dipstick took the bait on that.

Fish in a barrel, fish in a barrel.

[Play2win]

Geez, Bob really struck a nerve with play2lose.
Nice to see you are backing a QWEEFS fan, Azzhole...

Try reading a tenth of his close to 10,000 meaningless post and then come back and talk to me...

[Play2win]

Geez, Bob really struck a nerve with play2lose.
Welcome to the board QweefsFAN202.

[Bronco202]

Yuo spelled ASSHOLE wrong, STUPED.

[Hotrod]

:twitch: What the

ladys ladys unbunch those panties :laugh:

[scorpio]

Guess who's coming to dinner...

LARRY JOHNSON NAMED NOVEMBER'S AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The National Football League informed the Chiefs on Thursday that RB Larry Johnson has been named AFC Player of the Month for November. This marks the first time he has earned this distinction, and he is the first Chiefs player to win this honor since RB Priest Holmes took home AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolades for October 2004.

Johnson (6-1, 230) was a principle contributor to the Chiefs going 3-1 in the month of November with wins vs. Oakland (11/6), at Houston (11/20) and vs. New England (11/27). Over the past four games Johnson has compiled four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, totaling 116 carries for 569 yards (4.9 avg.) with five TDs. Those four straight 100-yard games rank as the second-longest streak in team history. He also posted 14 receptions for 153 yards. Johnson’s 569 rushing yards were the most in the NFL during the month of November.

In a dramatic 27-23 win vs. Oakland Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns including his final score, a one-yard TD dive on the game’s final play. Two weeks later at Houston he recorded a Chiefs-record 211 rushing yards, surpassing the previous mark owned by RB Barry Word (200 vs. Detroit – 10/14/90). His career-high 36 carries at the Texans were also the third-highest single game total in team history. After a 119-yard rushing effort vs. New England, Johnson eclipsed the franchise record for most rushing yards in consecutive games with 330 yards.

Johnson now ranks third in the AFC in rushing with 968 yards on 191 carries (5.1 avg.) with nine touchdowns. The State College, Pennsylvania native entered the league as the Chiefs first-round draft pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum prepped at State College Area High School.

.

[Bronco202]

I'd give pay2lose the finger if I had one.

[Hotrod]

I'd give pay2lose the finger if I had one.

Let me help you out noob _i_O_i_

LOL see that how ya do it

[Play2win]

Yuo spelled a-hole wrong, STUPED.
Nice to see you got you post count up to 9. My only question is CAN YOU COUNT THAT HIGH?!?

Now go run off. Nice knowing you. You're now on my IGGY-List, QWEEFS FAN !!!

[Bronco202]

I lost all my fingers in a fishing accident. So I had to learn to count with my toes. What's an IGGY-list. I may want one. Post #10 wooohoooo!

[Hotrod]

I lost all my fingers in a fishing accident. So I had to learn to count with my toes. What's an IGGY-list. I may want one. Post #10 wooohoooo!

You type pretty good with your toes.

[bfoflcommish]

Guess who's coming to dinner...

LARRY JOHNSON NAMED NOVEMBER'S AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The National Football League informed the Chiefs on Thursday that RB Larry Johnson has been named AFC Player of the Month for November. This marks the first time he has earned this distinction, and he is the first Chiefs player to win this honor since RB Priest Holmes took home AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolades for October 2004.

Johnson (6-1, 230) was a principle contributor to the Chiefs going 3-1 in the month of November with wins vs. Oakland (11/6), at Houston (11/20) and vs. New England (11/27). Over the past four games Johnson has compiled four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, totaling 116 carries for 569 yards (4.9 avg.) with five TDs. Those four straight 100-yard games rank as the second-longest streak in team history. He also posted 14 receptions for 153 yards. Johnson’s 569 rushing yards were the most in the NFL during the month of November.

In a dramatic 27-23 win vs. Oakland Johnson scored two rushing touchdowns including his final score, a one-yard TD dive on the game’s final play. Two weeks later at Houston he recorded a Chiefs-record 211 rushing yards, surpassing the previous mark owned by RB Barry Word (200 vs. Detroit – 10/14/90). His career-high 36 carries at the Texans were also the third-highest single game total in team history. After a 119-yard rushing effort vs. New England, Johnson eclipsed the franchise record for most rushing yards in consecutive games with 330 yards.

Johnson now ranks third in the AFC in rushing with 968 yards on 191 carries (5.1 avg.) with nine touchdowns. The State College, Pennsylvania native entered the league as the Chiefs first-round draft pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum prepped at State College Area High School.

Wow glad he could run against them!!!

Do these #'s look familiar???? week 3 rout

P. Holmes 14 car - 61 yds
L. Johnson 8 car - 13 yds 1 fumble

[broncosteven]

Champ deserves it. He is by far the best CB in the league & has played through a lot of pain this year. The one thing I liked about the CP for Champ & 2nd rounder was that when CP got a bo bo he would be out for 2 games whereas Champ has played through some very tough injuries.

I asked for a new Champ Jersy to replace my Elway jersey on gamedays ( I have a Rod smith but he signed it & I don't want to ruin it).

Go Champ & shut down Chefs this week!

[Bronco202]

You type pretty good with your toes.

Not using my toes.;D

[Hotrod]

Not using my toes.;D

Remind me to never borrow your keyboard :giggle:

[Bronco202]

Remind me to never borrow your keyboard :giggle:


Don't worry , I always ship my keyboard off to pay2lose, he gives me $50 each for them. Lord knows what he doing with them. Hell, he must have 100 of them by now.

[Rigs11]

Gold better be ready for this game, the cheaps are gonna run right at him.

[ozomulsion]

Why are you even bringing this up? Bell's average has dropped A FULL YARD in the last month or so. He hasn't broken fifty yards this month in a game.

That being said, I'm still scared sh!tless of him.

Bob, did you really expect the guy to average 7 YPC through a full season? If this is the worst thing you can say about him, I think we're in great shape.

[broncosteven]

Gold better be ready for this game, the cheaps are gonna run right at him.


IF they do DJ will be chasing LJ down behind the line like he did vs Crackpipeboys. I was glad to see DJ back to form in the run game.

[easymobee]

whatever, i dont have as high expectations as others here i guess. ImO, he done well every game.
Same here (expectations-wise).

After the initial media circus died down last year, and after i realized he couldn't be as good as he was against KC in the opener every game .... i became more realistic.

Your average Champ detractor has only one play to live by this year ( ex. did you see what TO did to Champ on that 91 yard TD! ).

Nevermind that we won that game by 20+ points and that the fallout from that loss ended not only Philly's playoff hopes, but TO's career as an eagle altogether.

It should only get better from here on out ....

The NYJ game marked the first time since the SD game that the camera crews weren't finding a shot of Bailey either limping after a play, running at least 20% less than normal, or pulling himself out of the game altogether. Even more encouraging is that he got through the Cowboys game just a half-week later with the same results.

Even over at extremeskins they're coming around and being forced to belatedly question the trade and their insistance that Shawn Springs is oh-so-much better than Champ Bailey.

Other than a few people of course ( ex. the ones that called the Thanksgiving INT a gift that even a newly blind W. Bartee would've taken to the house ).

In closing ... Champ Bailey >>> Pat Surtain/Shawn Springs

Who controls Bob's Avatar after the season ends?

[Clockwork Orange]

All of this other bull**** aside, congrats to Champ on a well deserved honor. The guy's been playing hurt most of this season and has been brilliant.

I guess this means we can add the NFL to the fans, players, coaches and sports writers who all don't know what they're talking about. That was the haters excuse last year when Champ was voted best corner in the league by his peers, named to the All-Pro Team and selected for the Pro Bowl. Somehow he just keeps racking up these honors, maybe he's pretty good after all.

Keep up the good work Champ. :thumbsup:

[Atlas]

Not using my toes.;D

that's pretty funny

[Atlas]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=4986

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Bailey Paces Turnover Trend

But Broncos' 14 Takeways in Last Five Games Are a Team Effort

By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Champ Bailey's selection as the AFC's defensive player of the month might have been officially considered an individual accomplishment, and with three interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- and 20 tackles in the month, it would be hard to argue against his selection on purely individual merits.

But consider that Bailey got the award primarily because he was the only player in the NFL to intercept a pass in each of his November games. Consider that the perennial Pro Bowler already established a career standard for interceptions with five games still remaining and participation in just nine of the Broncos' first 11 games. Consider that Bailey missed approximately half the game or more in three of the nine games in which he did play.

"I think this year, I'm getting more balls, but the thing is, I'm getting my hands on them and I'm not dropping them," Bailey said. "That's one thing about it. You're going to get opportunities. You just can't drop them."

But more than just No. 24 is at work here, and it's worth noting that Bailey's performance is merely emblematic of the defense as a whole. The seventh-year cornerback has never procured interceptions like he has this year. And the defense and special teams have not wrestled the football away from opponents at this strong a rate since 2001, when the Broncos forced 37 turnovers -- the most for any season in the last 15 years. They're on pace to force 36 takeways this autumn.

"I'll tell you what, it's a great thing to actually have the ball bounce our way," safety Nick Ferguson said. "We didn't have that before."

The five turnovers forced by the Broncos' defense and special teams against the New York Jets on Nov. 20 took the season total to 23 -- surpassing the 20 turnovers coaxed by the defense through all 16 games in each of the previous two seasons.

"I think turnovers are always a determining factor (in winning or losing)," Head Coach Mike Shanahan said.

Interceptions by Bailey and Ferguson at Dallas on Nov. 24 swelled the Broncos' turnover tally to 14 in the last five games and 25 for the season.

"More teams were getting more turnovers than we were (in previous years)," Ferguson said, "and right now we're able to help our offense getting those turnovers and I think it's a combination of a lot of things that are contributing that from the D-line to the linebackers and the secondary, how we're playing right now."

Bailey and others in the back seven of the defense may be snaring the turnovers -- particularly the interceptions -- but the genesis of them comes from up front.

"We're stopping the run first and foremost. That gives you a chance to tee off and bring some pressure," safety John Lynch said. "Pressure and turnovers go hand in hand. Pressure and people being in the right spots and then playing good smart team defense. I think that's what we've done."

Added Ferguson: "We're able to put some pressure and (create) some turnovers with the new D-line we have, so if you want to credit anything to most of our turnovers, it's pressure."

That makes Sunday's game especially challenging, as the Kansas City Chiefs have used one of the league's most effective offensive lines to combine explosiveness with efficiency, committing only 15 turnovers so far this season. Only six teams have committed fewer -- one of which is the Broncos, with just 11 this year.

Forcing turnovers is like almost anything else in football -- it's aided by momentum. With an average of 2.8 turnovers forced in the past five games, the Broncos possess that.

Sustaining it could be the key to sustaining the team's prodigious win-loss ratio to date this season.

"We've got it rolling and we need to keep it rolling," Lynch said. "It's proven to everyone that it is successful. Thursday against Dallas we didn't play our best game, but we didn't lose the turnover margin. You can win football games when you do that."


Someone needs to post a thread of this at Extremeskins and then provide a link so I can watch the fallout.. Thanks!!

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Our football men are better than your football men.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Someone needs to post a thread of this at Extremeskins and then provide a link so I can watch the fallout.. Thanks!!

Yep. I just checked over there and for a site that seems to live and die by pointing out every time Champ gets beat, this article is strangely missing.

Even though Portis isn't the same back he was in Denver, the Skins are going to end up below .500 again, Denver's going to the playoffs again, the Skins still won the trade.

[Clockwork Orange]

Yep. I just checked over there and for a site that seems to live and die by pointing out every time Champ gets beat, this article is strangely missing.

Even though Portis isn't the same back he was in Denver, the Skins are going to end up below .500 again, Denver's going to the playoffs again, the Skins still won the trade.

Last year they said it was Brunell's fault that Portis wasn't living up to his contract, this year the popular opinion is that it's the O-line's fault. No mention that maybe he should spend more time trying to remember where the end zone is and less dreaming up his next alias (complete with costume).

Portis has 8 runs of 20+ yards since he joined the Skins last season. Tatum Bell has 8 this year.

But yeah, they sure got over on us in that deal.