Bailey bullish on Bly

[dragondawg]

Cornerback says duo is NFL's best but must prove it

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
April 6, 2007

ENGLEWOOD - Champ Bailey isn't shying from talk the Broncos possess the league's best pair of starting cornerbacks after the acquisition of Dré Bly.
"If you look at talent, I think we are the best tandem," Bailey said Thursday.

"But it doesn't matter on paper. You've got to go out there and get it done."

Bailey went so far as to say an already good defense is going to be made "great" with Bly playing opposite him. The two have made a combined nine Pro Bowls.

"Based on the last two years, they're going to try him before they try me. I think he knows that," Bailey said. "I think he's looking forward to it. . . . And if he's picking balls, they got to come to my side. There's no way they can avoid me and be successful."

Bailey has made 18 interceptions the past two seasons despite teams testing him infrequently.

During that time, he has grown accustomed to playing off-coverage, a cushion that allows him to peek into the backfield and read the quarterback while still having enough time to react to plays in front of him.

Under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates, Bailey and Bly might be called upon to play more "press" coverage.

"If we have to go back and bump a little bit, I'm all for it," Bailey said.

TOUGH TIMES: The late-season collapse in December by the Broncos was doubly painful for tight end Stephen Alexander, who admitted Thursday he played the final 2 1/2 games with broken ribs.

"I've had ankles and shoulders and fingers and ribs and everything," the nine-year veteran said. "But that was the worst thing I've ever played with, or considered playing with."

Alexander was the Broncos' best two-way threat at his position and was needed for the team's stretch run, which ended without a playoff berth for the first time in four years.

"It definitely made me question whether it was worth it or not," he said of playing in pain. "The worst part about it for me was getting into my stance every play. It was horrible. . . . I definitely wasn't the same guy. I was definitely limited in what I could do and how I could play. But I made it."

The physical beating Alexander took last season and cumulatively in his career partially prompted the free-agent addition of Daniel Graham.

Graham's presence likely will limit Alexander's snaps and, the hope is, increase his effectiveness.

But he said if things don't work out - and coach Mike Shanahan has told Alexander there's a place in the offense for him - he's satisfied with the career he has had.

Alexander's health, and the ribs in particular, are a nonissue as he prepares for the season.

"I feel good," he said. "It's bothered me some through the offseason working out. But now I'm able to do everything with no limitations."

RUNNING START: Free-agent pickup Brandon Stokley said several teams, including his former club, Indianapolis, were convinced the recovery time from his ruptured right Achilles' tendon would take much longer than the six- to eight- month timetable set by his doctor.

But 3 1/2 months into his recovery, the receiver is convinced he'll return by the start of training camp and accomplish his primary goal of being 100 percent healed by the Broncos' opener.

"I've only just started running and jogging on it. And right now it's just a process to get that last little bit of strength in it," Stokley said.

"So over the next few months, that's the goal, to get the strength back in my calf and get my explosiveness back."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5468393,00.html

[JDB7821]

With a consistent pass rush, these two could pose a VERY dangerous threat to quarterbacks. All it takes is a slight misjudgment from the quarterback and the ball is picked and going the other way. It should be really interesting to follow.

[Broncos4Life]

With a consistent pass rush, these two could pose a VERY dangerous threat to quarterbacks. All it takes is a slight misjudgment from the quarterback and the ball is picked and going the other way. It should be really interesting to follow.

Yeah, this is gonna be an exciting year for the defense. The guys have lots of talent and experience so we should be smashing offenses this season. Q's are the PR and Wilson....
Hopefully Al can get healthy and put together a good one and we can get that pass rush we've all hoped for.

[watermock]

Can you imagine a Mongo on the line or Griffin at safety? Scary with our new weapons on the offense as well. I'm not homering...this is going to be fun...get on the bus Gus...

[Odysseus]

The Broncos need to get one monster DT and one strong rotational DT. They need to sign a young future starter to play FS and SS this year. They need to look at a hard tackling SLB. They get this and the defense is going to be great.

[WoodMan]

"I've had ankles and shoulders and fingers and ribs and everything," the nine-year veteran said. "But that was the worst thing I've ever played with, or considered playing with."


This reminded me of just how bad the injury count was for the Broncos last year. Warren, Brown, Wilson, Lepsis, Meadows, Tatum Bell, Fergie, Brandon and DWill are some of the players that either went onto IR or played hurt, and here is one with Alexander, that I wasn't even aware of. It reminds me of how rough football really is and how hard we are as fans on the players and what we expect from them. Most of us wouldn't even get out of bed with a couple of broken ribs and we want these guys to perform at peak level.

[Odysseus]

This reminded me of just how bad the injury count was for the Broncos last year. Warren, Brown, Wilson, Lepsis, Meadows, Tatum Bell, Fergie, Brandon and DWill are some of the players that either went onto IR or played hurt, and here is one with Alexander, that I wasn't even aware of. It reminds me of how rough football really is and how hard we are as fans on the players and what we expect from them. Most of us wouldn't even get out of bed with a couple of broken ribs and we want these guys to perform at peak level.

Fans can talk so tough but won't even go to the game if it's a little cold out.

[Garcia Bronco]

I really think people are over estimating Bly, but I hope champ and everybod else sporting wood is right.

[Steve Prefontaine]

I really think people are over estimating Bly, but I hope champ and everybod else sporting wood is right.
You might be right, but I think that Bly is an definitely upgrade for the team. It is exciting to think that the Broncos have a #2 CB that would be the #1 CB on a lot of teams in the league.

I'm also excited about the CB depth that acquiring Bly has created. I'm much more comfortable having Foxworth as the #3 instead of Paymah.

[Garcia Bronco]

You might be right, but I think that Bly is an definitely upgrade for the team. It is exciting to think that the Broncos have a #2 CB that would be the #1 CB on a lot of teams in the league.

I'm also excited about the CB depth that acquiring Bly has created. I'm much more comfortable having Foxworth as the #3 instead of Paymah.

He's an upgrade over the former number 2 and for the team, indeed. and it's hard not to get excited about it.

[Steve Prefontaine]

I apologize if this was posted before, but here is an response from KC Joyner regarding a question about Bailey/Bly he received during an ESPN chat.

Soren (LA): Based on the metrics, is there a better cornerback tandem in football than Champ Bailey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4655) and Dre' Bly (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4690)?


My initial reaction was to say I didn't think Bailey and Bly could be regarded as one of the best cornerback tandems, but after reviewing Bly's numbers, I had a bit of a change of heart. Here are his metrics from last year:

<table id="inlinetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="416"> <tbody><tr><th style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" colspan="8">Dre' Bly</th> </tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" valign="top"> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">Att</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">Comp</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">Yds</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">TD</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">INT</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">Pen</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">P-Yds</td> <td style="background-color: rgb(153, 153, 153);" width="48">YPA</td> </tr> <tr style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" valign="top"> <td width="48"> 82 </td> <td width="48"> 40 </td> <td width="48"> 589 </td> <td width="48"> 4 </td> <td width="48"> 2 </td> <td width="48"> 3 </td> <td width="48"> 29 </td> <td width="48"> 7.5 </td> </tr> </tbody></table>

The 7.5 YPA total is easily the highest for Bly in the four seasons I have been tracking this metric for defensive players. However, it is still a solid figure, especially considering Bly is not well-suited to play in the Cover 2 scheme the Lions implemented last year. He should be a much better fit in the heavy man-to-man coverage scheme Denver runs, so it would not be a surprise to see Bly's YPA drop back down to its usual range (5-6 yards). If that happens, Bly and Bailey would likely be the best cornerback tandem in the league.

[Popcorn Sutton]

He's an upgrade over the former number 2 and for the team, indeed. and it's hard not to get excited about it.

I wish we could have seen D Will in Bates scheme with more press coverages, bump and run type defense. He struggled with zone defenses at times but he had great recovery speed and I know he preferred being aggressive vs. covering a zone. I'm excited about Bly but I can't help but think what if....

[Paladin]

Well, they may not be able to attack the corners with expectations of great success, but the TE and RB options become a very interesting option for other teams. If they have a big TE who can catch the ball, and/or a RB with good moves and good hands, a passing attack will emphasize a different focus, but could be quite effective ala SD. Three wides would also be challenging, ala Indy, I would think. Point is, there are workarounds out there that can be just as effective in a passing game plan. But the running game could well tell the tale.....

Denver still needs a Dline, specifically a DE who can get up field and pressure somebody, and will need to rely on whoever covers the TEs. I think that having Bly is great, but a DE and a S are still important, and Foxworth may yet be a central player in the Denver D as a nickel back.

[Garcia Bronco]

Well, they may not be able to attack the corners with expectations of great success, but the TE and RB options become a very interesting option for other teams. If they have a big TE who can catch the ball, and/or a RB with good moves and good hands, a passing attack will emphasize a different focus, but could be quite effective ala SD. Three wides would also be challenging, ala Indy, I would think. Point is, there are workarounds out there that can be just as effective in a passing game plan. But the running game could well tell the tale.....

Denver still needs a Dline, specifically a DE who can get up field and pressure somebody, and will need to rely on whoever covers the TEs. I think that having Bly is great, but a DE and a S are still important, and Foxworth may yet be a central player in the Denver D as a nickel back.

that's why I think Gold still has a place in this dffense

[-Slap-]

I apologize if this was posted before, but here is an response from KC Joyner regarding a question about Bailey/Bly he received during an ESPN chat.

Soren (LA): Based on the metrics, is there a better cornerback tandem in football than Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly?


My initial reaction was to say I didn't think Bailey and Bly could be regarded as one of the best cornerback tandems, but after reviewing Bly's numbers, I had a bit of a change of heart. Here are his metrics from last year:

Dre' Bly
Att Comp Yds TD INT Pen P-Yds YPA
82 40 589 4 2 3 29 7.5


The 7.5 YPA total is easily the highest for Bly in the four seasons I have been tracking this metric for defensive players. However, it is still a solid figure, especially considering Bly is not well-suited to play in the Cover 2 scheme the Lions implemented last year. He should be a much better fit in the heavy man-to-man coverage scheme Denver runs, so it would not be a surprise to see Bly's YPA drop back down to its usual range (5-6 yards). If that happens, Bly and Bailey would likely be the best cornerback tandem in the league.

The numbers cited here only credit Bly with two interceptions last year, but he had three. Was one of the picks on a pass that wasn't directed at his receiver? If not, it calls into question how they derive those numbers.

In fact, I have a basic problem with any of these websites who try and break down receiving statistics against particular players. They can't possibly know the defensive responsibilities of every player on the field in every defensive formation. Bly is a great example. Take any cornerback who plays a zone for that matter. Let's just say, simple bracket coverage. The receiver catches the ball right after the corner releases him and the safety picks him up. Does that completion count against the cornerback, against the safety, against nobody?

Football Outsiders and the like take a way more authoritative position on this stuff than they should.

[usedupbraids]

this year alot of biltzing will happen

[Steve Prefontaine]

The numbers cited here only credit Bly with two interceptions last year, but he had three. Was one of the picks on a pass that wasn't directed at his receiver? If not, it calls into question how they derive those numbers.

Without watching the tapes myself, I would bet that one INT was a deflection of a pass not intended for the player that Bly was covering. So I don’t think that alone should devalue his assessment.

In fact, I have a basic problem with any of these websites who try and break down receiving statistics against particular players. They can't possibly know the defensive responsibilities of every player on the field in every defensive formation. Bly is a great example. Take any cornerback who plays a zone for that matter. Let's just say, simple bracket coverage. The receiver catches the ball right after the corner releases him and the safety picks him up. Does that completion count against the cornerback, against the safety, against nobody?

Yes, I understand your pessimism regarding Joyner’s assessment. I feel the same way about a lot of guys too. But supposedly Joyner reviews game tape from every game. I’d hope he would take into account defensive responsibilities when compiling the metrics on individual players. But who knows? Maybe he’s a liar and makes up his numbers.

If anyone gets a chance (what else is there to do this offseason?) to break down the game tape from all the Lions games last year, I would like to hear another opinion about the accuracy Joyner’s metrics on Bly. ;)

[Paladin]

Question: why?

IF he had the worst "metrics" (euphemism for statistical descriptions of inconsequential matters or "stats" for short) would you want to give him back? And if he has the best "metrics", does that mean the Broncos will win every game and that no passes will be completed against them this year? Or, if he is the poster boy for the "middle of the pack", does that mean anything? Will Brittany grow her hair back? What will be the metrics?

I am bored with the whole Combine mentality. Damm. This off season seems longer than the others.......

[Steve Prefontaine]

Question: why?

IF he had the worst "metrics" (euphemism for statistical descriptions of inconsequential matters or "stats" for short) would you want to give him back? And if he has the best "metrics", does that mean the Broncos will win every game and that no passes will be completed against them this year? Or, if he is the poster boy for the "middle of the pack", does that mean anything? Will Brittany grow her hair back? What will be the metrics?

I am bored with the whole Combine mentality. Damm. This off season seems longer than the others.......
Why? Because I thought someone might be interested in an independent party providing objective stats on a Bronco's player.

Metrics are inconsequential matters? Interesting. I'll pass it on.

In regards to your long-winded point about whether this "changes" anything. No.

And yes, Mrs. Spears will most likely grow her hair back. KC Joyner is breaking down the tape on it right now.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I think metrics in football are wholly inconsequential because the statistics dont take all of the other aspects of a football play into account. It's much easier in baseball because its more of an individuals game, but a corner backs play has so much to do with the defensive line, linebackers, and coverage scheme thats its impossible to measure performance by yards per catch. Im glad KC Joyner makes a living and works hard doing this, but i honestly think there's little too it.

[Rock Chalk]

Far be it from me to question our new DC but I see absolutely no reason Champ needs to change anything that he is doing. Bly can play press, but let Champ be Champ. Last year was probably the single best year I have EVER seen a CB play.

[BroncoMan4ever]

I love how Champ is excited about Bly, but it almost seems like he is saying now that we have a good DB(RIP DWill) we are going to be great. It almost sounds like he is disrespecting Darrent.

Did anyone else get that a little from the article?

[Sassy]

No. On his interview...he said Darrent was the best CB he'd played with!

[GonzoLays]

Is Bailey/Bly the greatest corneback tandem in NFL History?

I think so.

THE GREAT GONZOLAYS!!!!!!

[Paladin]

Is Bailey/Bly the greatest corneback tandem in NFL History?

I think so.

THE GREAT GONZOLAYS!!!!!!

Fools are easily fooled......

[BroncoMan4ever]

No. On his interview...he said Darrent was the best CB he'd played with!

My bad, didn't see that part. from what i read it seemed like he was in a way glad DWill was gone

[Sassy]

My bad, didn't see that part. from what i read it seemed like he was in a way glad DWill was gone

Go listen to champ's interview on denverbroncos.com. It's great!

[listopencil]

My bad, didn't see that part. from what i read it seemed like he was in a way glad DWill was gone

I think when he was talking about the D being better he was comparing our current D with Bly and without Bly. DW doesn't enter the equation.