Broncos’ Champ Bailey uses unorthodox style that works for him

[dragondawg]

By Frank Schwab / The Gazette

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — If you’ve ever watched Brett Favre play, announcers have told you without fail that a young quarterback should never try to emulate Favre’s horrible fundamentals.

They could say the same about Champ Bailey. The Denver Broncos’ cornerback used to play with proper fundamentals, but not anymore. Teammates marvel at his unorthodox and unsound style, with his hips wide open toward the field, which no coach would teach or endorse.

"He’s probably the only guy that can get away with what he does," Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman said. "For young guys to watch him and say ’I’m going to play like that,’ it may be a mistake. Not everybody in this league has his natural talent." "Nobody really coaches my technique," Bailey says proudly. "I wouldn’t recommend it for everybody."

Bailey used to be a fundamentally sound player. He would follow the coach’s script, backpedaling with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. That worked fine for him. He made five Pro Bowls his first six seasons.

His entire game changed in 2005, when he suffered a hamstring injury. Because his movement was a bit limited when he came back, he didn’t backpedal or stay square. He played facing the quarterback, his back to the sideline, pretty much running sideways instead of backpedaling.

The approach worked. In 2006 Bailey had one of the best seasons for a cornerback in NFL history, grabbing 10 interceptions despite rarely being targeted. He finished second in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. He has played the same style since.

"I see more now," Bailey said. "I see the quarterback, the receiver, I can see everything. Back then, I used to just play watching the guy, and you couldn’t make a lot of plays like that."

His interception against Dallas on Oct. 4 was a perfect glimpse at lack of fundamentals and how his talent can overcome it. Bailey ran with his back completely to the sideline, as he shadowed Cowboys receiver Miles Austin, and even pointed his shoulders toward the end zone. Tony Romo threw a pass well behind Bailey, who swung his hips and shoulders to instantly turn his body 180 degrees. Then he caught the ball inches from the ground. Not many cornerbacks in the NFL — and perhaps only a handful in league history — could have made that play.

"Champ is so smooth in his movements, he does a technique that when coaches teach techniques they’ll probably put up Champ’s technique as what not to do," safety Brian Dawkins said.

Before Goodman came to Denver, he had heard Bailey didn’t backpedal or stay square to the line. He had no idea how extreme that habit was, and can’t believe Bailey gets away with it.

"Every time I see it, I’m amazed," Goodman said.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/f...osition=recent

[frerottenextelway]

His superhuman quickness sure helps in that respect.

[broncocalijohn]

Until Madden slobbers all of him like he does for unorthodox Favre, I ain't buy his technique.

[WABronco]

That season was insane when he picked off 10.

[misturanderson]

Originally Posted by WABronco

That season was insane when he picked off 10.

The fact that he didn't get DPOY for that performance is flat out criminal.

[bowtown]

I think that pretty soon it's going to be time for Champ to remember how to use the proper technique again. If he does, he could be a solid CB for at least another 5 years.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by misturanderson

The fact that he didn't get DPOY for that performance is flat out criminal.

It would ahve been if not for a just-as-deserving Jason Taylor who, like Champ, is an incredible athlete and, like Champ, and an insanely good year.

[dextermilo]

Whatever works. I do love watching him play.

[Ironlung]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

It would ahve been if not for a just-as-deserving Jason Taylor who, like Champ, is an incredible athlete and, like Champ, and an insanely good year.

This. They both dominated, and both deserved it. I wouldn't have been surprised if they were each awarded a co-mvp award.

[strafen]

This is a guy who is been given for dead last couple of seasons, but he's still tickin'

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by dragster69

This is a guy who is been given for dead last couple of seasons, but he's still tickin'

Given for dead?

Only by idiots who gobble down what ESPiN shovels them and dont understand what happens on the friggin field.

Given for dead? Are you kidding me? And youre a "Broncos fan"?

[ZONA]

Whenever I watch Champ I can't help but notice he not only has an unorthodox set up, but the way he runs is kinda odd as well. He doesn't pick his feet up that high from the ground and his strides are shortened. It almost looks like he "scoots" rather then runs, if that makes any sense. If you're not sure what I mean, watch him close next game and you will notice. I wonder if he's always done that of if it also is something caused by that hammy injury.

[Killericon]

Originally Posted by bowtown

I think that pretty soon it's going to be time for Champ to remember how to use the proper technique again. If he does, he could be a solid CB for at least another 5 years.

Or, he could keep his open hip style and be a free safety until he's 39.

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by Killericon

Or, he could keep his open hip style and be a free safety until he's 39.

That all depends on what safeties we have stepping up in a few years. If we have a guy in the Dawkins mold that his a hitter, then I can see Champ playing the role Hill does (the play caller, the cover safety).

[bowtown]

Originally Posted by ZONA

That all depends on what safeties we have stepping up in a few years. If we have a guy in the Dawkins mold that his a hitter, then I can see Champ playing the role Hill does (the play caller, the cover safety).

Also depends on how much money Champ is going to be willing to play for. He is going to have to take a paycut next contract if we plan to eventually play him at safety. If he's looking for a big final payday before he rides off in the sunset as a CB, I think he can easily find it, but probably not here. I just hope he doesn't end up a Raider.

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by bowtown

Also depends on how much money Champ is going to be willing to play for. He is going to have to take a paycut next contract if we plan to eventually play him at safety. If he's looking for a big final payday before he rides off in the sunset as a CB, I think he can easily find it, but probably not here. I just hope he doesn't end up a Raider.

I think Champ wants a ring more badly then he does the huge contract. He's made a ton of money and it's not like he will be playing for small beans no matter what. I DO think he doesn't want to ride off in the sunset without that ring (and he ain't getting it with the Raiders and everybody in the universe knows that).

[TDmvp]

They should let him teach tackling practice also.

[LongDongJohnson]

Originally Posted by TDmvp

They should let him teach tackling practice also.

especially to andre goodman.

jack williams and alphonso smith seem to do fine but andre goodman is a wimp when it comes to making tackles.

[sirhcyennek81]

Originally Posted by LongDongJohnson

especially to andre goodman.

jack williams and alphonso smith seem to do fine but andre goodman is a wimp when it comes to making tackles.

Deion Sanders school of tackling. Get in the way kinda...

[strafen]

Originally Posted by McSkillet

Given for dead?

Only by idiots who gobble down what ESPiN shovels them and dont understand what happens on the friggin field.

Given for dead? Are you kidding me? And youre a "Broncos fan"?

Jesus!
Why is it that every freakin thing posted on this forum has the tendency to become a flame war?
In the last couple of years, there has been talks about Champ's health and some had questioned his abilities to play at a high level.
I'm not the one saying he was given for dead. I'm merely criticizing what others have said. Got it?

And yes, I'm a broncos fan

[19Morton77]

no you arent.

[Broncos4Life]

Originally Posted by misturanderson

The fact that he didn't get DPOY for that performance is flat out criminal.

Yeah. He was flat out winning games for us. Even though Taylor had a great season that year there is no way he impacted games the way Bailey did.

[Broncos4Life]

Originally Posted by LongDongJohnson

especially to andre goodman.

jack williams and alphonso smith seem to do fine but andre goodman is a wimp when it comes to making tackles.

Goodman may be a wimp but Bly was a straight up p***Y.

[BroncoDoug]

Originally Posted by Broncos4Life

Goodman may be a wimp but Bly was a straight up p***Y.

dre gotta be dre

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by ZONA

Whenever I watch Champ I can't help but notice he not only has an unorthodox set up, but the way he runs is kinda odd as well. He doesn't pick his feet up that high from the ground and his strides are shortened. It almost looks like he "scoots" rather then runs, if that makes any sense. If you're not sure what I mean, watch him close next game and you will notice. I wonder if he's always done that of if it also is something caused by that hammy injury.

i've noticed that, never actually paid much attention to it though. i just assumed he wasn't going at full speed and was basically limiting his speed

also the way his arms move when he runs is a little different as well.