dragondawg
03-03-2007, 04:08 AM
Corners could form menacing duo for Broncos
The smile Champ Bailey was wearing Friday was a broad one.
And it wasn't solely because of the successful charitable endeavor he was launching at an event in Littleton.
The Denver Broncos acquisition of Dré Bly that's given the team two cornerbacks with Pro Bowl credentials had something to do with it, too.
"Geez. God, I don't know. It's rare you get two corners on the team like that," said Bailey, who announced a new youth initiative to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission called Champ's Vitamin Water Volunteers.
"We're very fortunate to have him come along, the playmaker he is, the great corner he's been over the last eight years. It's amazing for our defense," he said.
The move, which cost the Broncos running back Tatum Bell, right tackle George Foster and a fifth-round pick this April and netted the club Bly and a sixth-rounder, comes on the heels of Darrent Williams' shocking death two months ago. Bly is expected to take over Williams' right cornerback spot.
Bly and Bailey played alongside one another in Hawaii in 2003 at the NFL's yearly all-star game, never thinking they'd someday be paired again on the same team.
The two have been in contact ever since the Detroit Lions made Bly available to other teams.
"He wanted to play with me. I wanted him to come here. When he first told me about the possibility, I couldn't believe it. How could they get the both of us on the same team? But they worked it out. He's excited about it," Bailey said.
Bailey tied for the NFL lead last season with 10 interceptions. The rest of the roster produced seven.
Bly only picked off three passes last season but has had three seasons with six each while usually covering the other team's top receiver.
He won't have that chore now with Bailey around.
"It presents a scary situation for offenses we face because who do you throw at?" Bailey said. "You throw at him, he can make a play at any moment. You throw at me, and I can make a play at any moment. It'll definitely make teams game plan and study a little more because we have that talent."
NEW CHAPTER: Foster believes his switch to the Lions will be a good situation and is happy to have Bell along with him.
But Denver's No. 1 pick in 2003 leaves the city still unsure about why he fell into disfavor with the Broncos.
"Even though I'm out the door, I still don't know what they were thinking," he said.
One issue might have been fines doled out to Foster this past summer for not making his club-mandated playing weight and the feeling he wasn't trying very hard to reach that figure. More important was his inconsistent play and not knowing how to bring out his best.
"I don't know what label to put on it," he said when asked to describe his time with the Broncos. "I don't think it was a bad situation because they brought me in, and I'm thankful for that. So it couldn't be too bad. I lasted this long. But change is good sometimes."
Foster is the last player remaining from Denver's 10-man draft class in '03.
He might be recalled as a bust in future years because of his quick departure, but he thinks that label would be misplaced.
"They really weren't doing that hot right before I got there, and it definitely wasn't me that turned it around, but it went on the upswing," he said.
"We did some great things. It could have been better. But we got to the AFC Championship last year, and they hadn't been there for a while, and I was happy to be a part of that. And I'll always be a part of two 1,000-yard backs and Jake (Plummer) breaking the (team) passing record. Those are things that reflect on me that I'll always take with me."
ETC.: Quarterback Brad Johnson and tight end Kyle Brady are expected in town today. Johnson, cut by Minnesota, fits the bill for a quality veteran backup to mentor Jay Cutler. Brady, late of Jacksonville, is a tough blocker who could be a cheaper option if Daniel Graham signs elsewhere in free agency. . . . Denver free-agent defensive end/linebacker Patrick Chukwurah signed a five-year deal with Tampa Bay. . . . Bailey on Plummer's reported retirement: "Jake was a little unpredictable a lot of the time. If he wants to quit playing, why not? The guy's had 10 good seasons, and everyone should be able to play out their career the way they want to."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5392410,00.html
The smile Champ Bailey was wearing Friday was a broad one.
And it wasn't solely because of the successful charitable endeavor he was launching at an event in Littleton.
The Denver Broncos acquisition of Dré Bly that's given the team two cornerbacks with Pro Bowl credentials had something to do with it, too.
"Geez. God, I don't know. It's rare you get two corners on the team like that," said Bailey, who announced a new youth initiative to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission called Champ's Vitamin Water Volunteers.
"We're very fortunate to have him come along, the playmaker he is, the great corner he's been over the last eight years. It's amazing for our defense," he said.
The move, which cost the Broncos running back Tatum Bell, right tackle George Foster and a fifth-round pick this April and netted the club Bly and a sixth-rounder, comes on the heels of Darrent Williams' shocking death two months ago. Bly is expected to take over Williams' right cornerback spot.
Bly and Bailey played alongside one another in Hawaii in 2003 at the NFL's yearly all-star game, never thinking they'd someday be paired again on the same team.
The two have been in contact ever since the Detroit Lions made Bly available to other teams.
"He wanted to play with me. I wanted him to come here. When he first told me about the possibility, I couldn't believe it. How could they get the both of us on the same team? But they worked it out. He's excited about it," Bailey said.
Bailey tied for the NFL lead last season with 10 interceptions. The rest of the roster produced seven.
Bly only picked off three passes last season but has had three seasons with six each while usually covering the other team's top receiver.
He won't have that chore now with Bailey around.
"It presents a scary situation for offenses we face because who do you throw at?" Bailey said. "You throw at him, he can make a play at any moment. You throw at me, and I can make a play at any moment. It'll definitely make teams game plan and study a little more because we have that talent."
NEW CHAPTER: Foster believes his switch to the Lions will be a good situation and is happy to have Bell along with him.
But Denver's No. 1 pick in 2003 leaves the city still unsure about why he fell into disfavor with the Broncos.
"Even though I'm out the door, I still don't know what they were thinking," he said.
One issue might have been fines doled out to Foster this past summer for not making his club-mandated playing weight and the feeling he wasn't trying very hard to reach that figure. More important was his inconsistent play and not knowing how to bring out his best.
"I don't know what label to put on it," he said when asked to describe his time with the Broncos. "I don't think it was a bad situation because they brought me in, and I'm thankful for that. So it couldn't be too bad. I lasted this long. But change is good sometimes."
Foster is the last player remaining from Denver's 10-man draft class in '03.
He might be recalled as a bust in future years because of his quick departure, but he thinks that label would be misplaced.
"They really weren't doing that hot right before I got there, and it definitely wasn't me that turned it around, but it went on the upswing," he said.
"We did some great things. It could have been better. But we got to the AFC Championship last year, and they hadn't been there for a while, and I was happy to be a part of that. And I'll always be a part of two 1,000-yard backs and Jake (Plummer) breaking the (team) passing record. Those are things that reflect on me that I'll always take with me."
ETC.: Quarterback Brad Johnson and tight end Kyle Brady are expected in town today. Johnson, cut by Minnesota, fits the bill for a quality veteran backup to mentor Jay Cutler. Brady, late of Jacksonville, is a tough blocker who could be a cheaper option if Daniel Graham signs elsewhere in free agency. . . . Denver free-agent defensive end/linebacker Patrick Chukwurah signed a five-year deal with Tampa Bay. . . . Bailey on Plummer's reported retirement: "Jake was a little unpredictable a lot of the time. If he wants to quit playing, why not? The guy's had 10 good seasons, and everyone should be able to play out their career the way they want to."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5392410,00.html