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Published on 06/23/2010 at Wed Jun 23 10:47.
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Agent, Marshall still think Champ’s on top of his game

Posted Wed Jun 23rd by

October 04 2009: Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (24) tips the ball away from Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd (17) in the end zone. (Photo Rich Gabrielson/Icon SMI)

October 4th 2009: Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (24) tips the ball away from Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd (17) in the end zone. (Photo Rich Gabrielson/Icon SMI)

While the Broncos are negotiating with Elvis Dumervil over a long term deal, Champ Bailey has taken a back seat. Being the professional that he is though, Bailey hasn’t complained.

“If Elvis isn’t getting a new deal now, no one is,”  Bailey said. “I can wait my turn. I will play out this year the same way I always do, I’ll work hard.”

While Champ is saying all the right things, his agent, Jack Reale is taking a different approach, telling Mike Klis of the Denver Post,

“Are we disappointed the Broncos have not approached us about a contract extension? Obviously, we are. A player of Champ’s caliber deserves to have the option of an extended contract.”

It is well known Bailey has lost a step, and is not the same 2005-2006 Champ Bailey that led the Broncos dominating defense. With that said, his agent had some good points,

“This is a guy who essentially was a six-time Pro Bowler [if not for an injury in 2008] in his six years there,” Reale said. “Anyone with any kind of football knowledge knows his skills have not diminished, as evidenced by the fact he didn’t allow one touchdown in 80 passes thrown his way last year, played in 98
percent of the snaps and remains one of the best-tackling cornerbacks in the game.”

After hardly being thrown at during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Quarterbacks again starting testing Bailey in 2009, throwing 98 pass attempts his way. The only touchdown he allowed in the whole 2009 season was in a touch football game nobody takes seriously — the Pro Bowl. No other cornerback who was thrown at 80 or more times last season allowed less than two scores. That says a lot. Bailey also ranked 4th in total tackles by a corner, showing he still has gas left in his tank.

Former Bronco Receiver Brandon Marshall has sided with Bailey’s agent, stating Bailey is still the best in the game.

“As of right now, I still have to say Champ Bailey [is the best],” Marshall told Rich Eisen of NFL.com. “I went against Champ every day for four years, and he’s amazing, it’s tough to be able to get a lot of interceptions when people don’t throw your way. Champ just turned 32, but he still has it.”

Granted, the Jets Receivers would probably say the same of Darrelle Revis, Marshall did play Nnamdi Asomugha–who many consider the best in the game–twice a year for four years, and still picked Champ.

Champ Bailey will play for a base salary of $9.5 million this season, plus a $3 million roster bonus and $500,000 workout bonus. If Denver doesn’t extend his contract, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Broncos have the option of moving him to safety a few years down the road (or maybe not so many years down the road), a move many corners have made after losing a step due to age. With his love for the game, Bailey most likely would agree to make the switch.

I tend to agree with Marshall, Bailey still is one of the better corners in the game, I expect the Broncos to work something out with him, but probably not very soon. What say you Bronco Nation? Should the Broncos let the 32-year-old go after 2010, or keep him as long as he’ll play, perhaps at another position? Voice your choice in the comments.

  • Big_Pete1999

    It all depends on his asking price. Will he be an aging vet who lost a step, yet still tries to cash in on 1 last payday? Or will he realize that he is no longer the dominating player that made him the highest paid CB at the time he signed?
    These questions must be answered by Champ, his agent, and the organization before anything takes place.
    If Champ acknowledges that he is no longer the force to be reckoned with that he once was, then it shouldn't be a problem signing him. If he still believes that he's a top 2-3 CB, then yeah, we're gonna probably let him go, because the top 2-3 CB's will make an absurd amount of money over a 5-6 year contract, and that is much too lucrative an amount to pay an aging player who will only play at a pro bowl level for the next 2 years.
    Maybe they can pay him like a top 3 CB for years 1&2, and then pay him as a top 15 CB years 3-6, that would be a contract I'd love to see. Unfortunately, that is impossible, so it's all for nothing.

  • Awesome, Austin

    Broncos have been trying to draft a replacement for years and it would stand to reason they will go with a cheaper, more up side player vs paying him big bucks again. I think he still has a lot to offer teams like woodson did but not at 12mil+ a year.

  • mikebirty

    Champ should be a Bronco for as long as he wants and I think he will be. Its just a matter of time.

  • Shawno85

    They'll work something out next offseason after seeing how this CBA works out. I'm sure he'll take a pay cut but why leave? Especially with the revamped defense and offense this season, the Broncos appear to be on the rise.

  • Judge McFudge

    I think it is funny how two voices are speaking for Champ. One voice says I will work hard and the other voice says I want more money for my client, i want people to buy more bronco's tickets so I can go after the Broncos for more money for my client.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Lost a step? John Elway had lost a step in 1995, 96, 97, 98… I don't know if that factors into a players skill level. Is he not as fast as he was when he was 22? Who knows, I doubt it, but does quickness factor as much as skill and experience in a cornerback's play?

    I'd say no and use the Ty Law/Alphonso Smith example. I think the Broncos are dragging their feet more because of the pending strike than any age concerns.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    “Lost a step” was the wrong choice of words, I was trying to imply that he's not the same Champ he used to be. Yet, he's still better than most.

  • Big_Pete

    crap, I accidentally clicked “like” instead of “reply”
    Anyways, when you're talking about cover corners, “lost a step” is definitely of concern. A QB who “lost a step” just needs to learn how to be a pocket passer. A CB who “lost a step” needs to either convert to safety, or be a nickel corner, or just retire.
    CB's have to use speed to keep up with faster and faster WR's. If their speed diminishes, hence the term “lost a step”, then they will get blown by from a larger and faster WR, as well as not be able to chase down a WR after the catch, and if you can't do that, then you will find yourself without a team in a hurry.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Well in that case, Champ's been getting blown by for years… He must have lost a step in 2004 when Ochicinco roasted him for 150-yards…

  • Big_Pete

    Like I said, I think he'll be at a pro bowl level for the next 2 years, but after that, I think that age will catch up with him.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    In two years Champ will still be a corner, but he will be looking (as Jon said) at the realities of becoming a Safety… A la Tyrone Braxton.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    Or in the AFC game when he was stripped at the goal line from behind…

  • Hope

    Champ baily still cover one side of the feild ans shuts every one down and he is the best tackler at his conerback spot in the nfl.pay the man and Champ can retire a Bronco.That way the Broncos will have another hall of famer.Steve Atwater should be a hall of famer he is a better safty then Charles Woodson way better.

  • kerry

    move him to safety after this year. like Rod Woodson did for Baltimore.

  • http://nation.theorangepage.com/blog Ian Henson

    How can you say that before he even plays? He could very well prove to be the greatest, most prolific thing in the NFL since the spread formation…

    Just wondering.

  • Big_Pete

    you can't pick out 1 or 2 plays in his career as proof. I mean, in that same light, we could say that Elway was a hack, cause he threw an int in that “game” against the 49ers where we got smoked 55-10, or he threw a pick against washington, or the giants… see where I'm going?
    Was Shannon Sharpe no good because he dropped a pass? Was Terrell Davis no good because he fumbled in that one game?
    It's a body of work. Yes, Champ is a stud, yes, he has been a stud, and yes, he can still for the most part cover #1 receivers. But how much longer can he do that? He is getting worked over more and more as the years pile up. No longer are teams ignoring his side of the field. They are now throwing at him. Why? Because the WR that he's covering has more room. And why does he have more room? Because Champ, as great as he is, isn't as fast, as shifty, and as nimble as he once was. That means that the receivers are getting even 1 foot more open space in which, they will get the ball thrown to them. 3 years ago, Champ was on them like glue. Last year, he was on them like a sticky note in a heavy breeze…. sometimes he was sticking, but more often than not, he was peeling off and getting left behind.
    I will reiterate though that I think Champ will still be really good (pro bowl level, whether he makes it there or not) for the next year or two, but if he keeps declining in speed at the same rate he has this last 2-3 years, then 2 years from now, he won't even be a top 10 CB, which means that he shouldn't demand top tier money for those years.
    Like I said, I'd love to see us give him a long term contract that paid him like a top CB for the first few years, and then a top 15 CB for years 3-6. But those contracts are impossible, because players always believe they are worth more than they sometimes are.
    With all that being said, I'd love to see Champ finish his career out in Denver. He is a class act, and a great guy. We need him on our team much like we needed Al Wilson on our team. I just hope that the money doesn't push him out of here. I hope they can find a middle ground.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    Agreed.

  • Jackfnburton

    Champ was SICK in that Dallas game. Vintage Bailey. I could watch that one again and again.

  • 12508

    This is a young mans game. Is Champ a Pro Bowl player? We will see. I dont think so. Maybe can move to safety. Cant pay him like a shut down corner anymore.

  • champ2339

    why does he have to move to safety… so what if he can't cover the number one wide receivers anymore… if we get a cornerback that is better than him then we can move that person to the number one receiver and move champ to number two… but until then there is no use getting rid of a cornerback that is still well above average

  • Big_Pete

    Did you hear 2 days ago when Champ said that he's got 3-4 more years at CB before he moves to safety? Champ said that he'll move to safety to further his career. I hope he still has 3+ years as a top tier CB, cause that'll just make us that much better. I think he's got 2, but if he has 3+, that'll put a smile on all of our faces. It sounds like he's admitting his mortality, so I think that a long term deal is likely, cause he won't ask for top CB money.

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