Champ is back!

by Hercules Rockefeller on Oct 5, 2009 1:00 PM MDT Comment 31 comments

A couple quick thoughts on Champ Bailey, who looks to be back to his true form after a rough year last year:

First of all, that interception was INCREDIBLE. The way he moves his whole body and changes all of his momentum on a dime is just mind-boggling. I know we've all seen him do things like that before, but it just never gets old.

Secondly, I'm glad the defensive scheme allows him to play the CB position the way he prefers ie, off the WR so that he can read the QB's eyes and jump on some interceptions (and relying on his textbook tackling skills to limit gains after the catch. Aikman noted that it was unusual for a CB to give Roy Williams a cushion as he did after Williams easily caught a pass in the flat early in the game, but I had no problem with it. The QB is never going to throw that the ball in front of the WR in that scenario, and Champ will easily tackle the WR for a minimal gain. recall if you will a crucial pass to Ochocinco in week one that Carson Palmer through in the dirt. It was a bad pass to be sure, but it would've been a completion if he had been aiming it even remotely near Ochocinco’s hands, instead of making the safe throw down and slightly behind the receiver.

And lastly, it is my opinion that Champ played Tony Romo for a sucker on those last two throws. As Aikman pointed out, it's very unusual for a CB to give up the inside route in that situation once, let alone twice. But it's also unusual for a CB to have the pass defense skills (and confidence in those skills) that Champ has. I'll bet the farm that if you shot him up with sodium pentothal,, he'd admit that he gave up the inside position in order to trick Romo into making the throws he did. Since he wanted Romo to make those throws to begin with, he had the advantage in making the break on the ball that he did, and was confident that he could defend them with the game on the line.

It may be a bit premature, barely a quarter of the season in, but I’ll say it now – Champ’ll be making a well-deserved return to the pro bowl this year.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

0 recs | Comment 31 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I'll say it now so that other won't have to say it later.

Champ never went anywhere. He’s always been great. He has just been dinged up a little bit. He’s coming into his own in this defense because the QB is getting actual pressure put on him now. Champ is going to see his INT numbers go up……….. well maybe not after this week because QBs will see you can’t burn this guy. Champ gave up some little stuff, but when it came down into the redzone, he got one INT and a few pass deflections. He doesn’t mess around. I got the impression he was baiting Romo yesterday by giving up a few short completions.

It ended up costing Romo in the end. Again, Champ never went anywhere. He just has a supporting cast now.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 5, 2009 1:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

But his production appears to be back after a rough year. I have two thoughts to share, if anyone else would like to comment:

1. On the INT, at first I thought he was way out of position and the pass was just really bad, but watching the replay, Champ made an unreal move to the ball once it left Romo’s hand. He was out of position because he wanted to be — he saw where the ball was going and went and got it. He might have the best hands on the team, too.
2. I think most CBs prefer to avoid defending the fade route, even one as good as Champ. Those can be crap-shoots for the DB, if they are placed right, and Champ definitely has the confidence to defend the route over the middle in the back of the end zone.

by BroncosBassist on Oct 5, 2009 1:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

A....

Champ never left as mentioned before. He did not have a rough year last year, barring the injuries. Champ had a great year, but spent too much time hurt. Dre Bly has a rough year last year. Dre Bly got the passes to miss, Dre Bly got the challenges from the QB.

Champ was Mildy ineffective because no one wanted to challenge him last year. He did not have an opportunity to make a play, but would make them when he did have a chance…..I think you are right in many of your points but that one….that Champ is back…..way off base.

13-3!!!!

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison

"Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather... the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey."
- Alex Noble

by DenBronx on Oct 5, 2009 1:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

AGREED!!!!!!!!!

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 5, 2009 1:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, OK, he never left!

I didn’t mean to imply that he did – it was all injuries and sceme in my opinion. But the fact remains that his production was down and he missed the pro bowl. I’m looking to this year to prove that last year was an abberation. he was hurt and he wasn’t being used properly according to his skill set (in fact, I don’t think he’s been used properly since Coyer was let go, but that’s a whole other post!)

Belief is accepting something because you’ve been convinced to do so, whether you like it or not. Faith is accepting something because you want to accept it.

by Hercules Rockefeller on Oct 5, 2009 2:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

You did good, HR

And I get what you meant. You’re right – the injury last season left some folks wondering if he still has ‘it’ The Cowboys now know that he does. You can kind bet that some other teams are looking at the tape and saying,“Oh, $@!&*!”

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Emmett Smith on Oct 5, 2009 2:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still a great post

We just don’t want a rumor running around that Champ had lost a step, that has a way of turning nasty rofl

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
- Thomas Alva Edison

"Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather... the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey."
- Alex Noble

by DenBronx on Oct 5, 2009 8:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I am with Denbronx.

This isn’t a bad post. I liked it. I just think that if you ever tie “champ” and “lost a step” together in a sentence, things could get ugly. Overall, I think you’re right about everything else, though. Good post.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 6, 2009 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed,

In addition to not going anywhere, there is a much stronger secondary overall, which benefits Champ getting ball coming his way as well. I mean where do you throw against Denver and not take a chance everytime……..

by bchiper on Oct 5, 2009 1:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy. Become Jamarcus Russell and throw it out into the parking lot.............

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 5, 2009 1:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

that’s a good one Kentucky

by bchiper on Oct 5, 2009 1:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got the feeling

like you’ve said that Bailey was baiting Romo into throwing his way. People were whining about Champ after the first half but for some reason I knew he was playing off in order to get thrown at so that he could make the big play. He let Romo gain confidence and then pounced. It was brilliant strategy and it was intentional for sure. If you noticed there were countless plays where Goodman was playing close to the man and Bailey was 10 yards off. It was designed to keep the ball coming to Champ. A small schematic plan the created great dividends.

by T.Dot_Bronco on Oct 5, 2009 1:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Now That You Mention It

That is a great observation. Nolan is allowing Champ to bait the QB. Nice.

by Endzone on Oct 5, 2009 1:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, it's like "playing possum"

You pretend you’re dead so a bear doesn’t eat you.

In this case, Champ played the first half and convinced Romo that he wasn’t a shutdown corner (except for that one play where he picked off a terrible throw behind the reciever). Anyways, Romo felt like he could go to that side because Champ is just an average CB now……….WRONG. He got messed up in the second half trying to get the ball to hurd in the endzone.

Champ is a lot smarter than anybody gives him credit for. What do you think he was doing the last few years???? He was sitting on his side of the field, watching the QB throw to Dre Bly’s side and thinking “man, maybe I should just suck like that for a while and see if the QB will throw me some more balls…………”

And the oscar goes to…………….

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 5, 2009 1:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Champ never left

Dude was injured last year on a horrendous defense. The guy is the real deal.

And…he said so after the game that he gave the receiver the inside route. I don’t have a link, but I heard it and read it too. Romo was a fool for throwing at him.

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 5, 2009 1:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Champ never left, something else came back....

Champ has never ‘not-played-great’ Yes he was a bit slowed by injuries last year—but was that the real problem? I think not.

One of the reasons I’ve been so confident this year is one person, Mike Nolan. Mike Nolan has brought something back that Champ has sorely missed the last few years…a front seven that knows what they’re doing. Imagine being one of the best corners to ever play the game (which Champ is) and know that if its a running play he will very likely be part of a needed tackle. What is back is that intangible ‘Orange Crush’ mentality that our front seven Will stop the run at any cost. What is back is that ‘Orange Crush’ mentality that says, on pass plays, orchestrated attacks at the QB will be creative and relentless.

Imagine how much fun Champ is having right now, for the first time in many years alls he has to do is what he does best…sucker things called romo into passing his way.

13-3 Baby!!! Playoffs here we come!!

Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
Gonsoulin, Taylor, Little, Wright, Gradishar, Atwater, Davis, and Sharpe...
Why are they not in the Hall...I just don't understand.

by Mike Clark on Oct 5, 2009 2:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Too True

There were a couple of times last year where he was getting to the RB WITHIN THE TACKLES! that’s unheard of for a CB. it’s almost as if he knew that he’d have to do the tackling for them last year if he was going to have a chance to have an impact. This year he can hang back and do what comes naturally to him (and at substantially lower risk of injury)

Belief is accepting something because you’ve been convinced to do so, whether you like it or not. Faith is accepting something because you want to accept it.

by Hercules Rockefeller on Oct 5, 2009 2:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, this is going to be a fun year.

Hosting New England will be very interesting. It will tell a lot.

Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
Gonsoulin, Taylor, Little, Wright, Gradishar, Atwater, Davis, and Sharpe...
Why are they not in the Hall...I just don't understand.

by Mike Clark on Oct 5, 2009 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen!

Last season we had a non-existent pass rush! Champ et all will have many opportunities to get picks this year as a result of our front 7. OMG, if Ayers comes into his own earlier than expected…LOOK OUT!

"Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity."

Unknown, Hanlon's Razor

by bcfunk on Oct 5, 2009 2:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last Year

Slowik was abysmal. He had the safeties, who couldn’t cover OR tackle, up in the box leaving the CB’s in 10-yard prevent cushions. He rarely called pass rush plays. He was playing “not to lose” rather than to win. It truly was no surprise that the defense was so awful.

by Endzone on Oct 5, 2009 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

c'mon, let's be real

champ is wonderful; he has ridiculous instincts, great football smarts, great hands, and is a willing tackler. maybe a fraction behind deion as greatest cover corner ever, but definitely best overall corner ever if you include his tackling.

however, there is no question he has lost his straight sprint speed. he runs more flat-footed than he has in the past. he is quick but no longer has the insane closing speed. he gives up more cushion now because he can’t keep up with young burners on long routes. on the last play of yesterday’s game, he should’ve been called for a PI.

he’s still awesome, but let’s not pretend he’s “never left.” if i were an OC and champ was playing man, i’d run crossing routes on him all day. just have a burner flat out outrun him constantly. if the go route is not there because champ or a safety is playing deep, just challenge him to keep up with a WR running 30 yards across the field.

look, i love the guy and have his jersey, and i actually love him more for keeping his play at a high level despite losing his legs.

speaking of jerseys, i may have to retire my atwater for dawkins, even though it irks me that dawkins is really just an eagle on loan. but he plays with such energy and fire, you can’t help but love him.

also not a propos, i’m thrilled by DJW the last couple weeks.

by ssc on Oct 5, 2009 2:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to disagree with you

Just last year, Champ was keeping up with Moss. This year he has kept up with chad. His speed is still there. Check out the highlight of him tackling Josh Cribbs—as soon as Cribbs gets the ball, Champ is bringing him down. & he was pretty far off.

"Pleased? We are excited about the proposition of going forward from where we are right now. Pleased? I don't know if you want to say pleased. You may want to hang your hat on pleased. I don't want to hang my hat on nothing right now."

-Brian Dawkins, on the play of the defense

Once he gets his hands on you, there's not much you're going to do. Then you can't outrun him, you can't run around him, you can't really run him over -- so you've just got to deal with it."

Elvis Dumerville, on Ryan Clady

by milehighnation on Oct 5, 2009 2:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm ok with disagreeing

just because he plays well doesn’t mean he’s still got his speed. he takes good angles and plays smart. there’s no way he keeps up with cribbs over an extended distance, eg 30 yards or so.

by ssc on Oct 6, 2009 8:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

-1 FAIL

If it were that easy, you would already see it. He hasn’t lost a step. He is NOT playing any farther back than he has for years. Champ has played off for a long LONG time.

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 5, 2009 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i’m curious, do you also yell out “FAIL” when you talk to people? highly evolved communication skill, best combined with pounding the table and knocking over the milk carton.

champ prefers to play off; he hasn’t always been allowed to play off. regardless, my point is not that he’s changed his technique conceptually; it’s that he protects more against getting burned deep because he’s lost speed. that means he gives up more short routes than he did in the past, as we saw in the cowboys game.

by ssc on Oct 6, 2009 8:22 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

re

What I loved about Bailey yesterday was how he was in position when the scheme Dallas was running was designed to get the ball to the RB on the flat (was working too). Denver countered by having blitzes and packages taking away the left side, almost as if schematically we were making Romo throw Bailey’s side.

Say hello to my fast...

by dcrespo7 on Oct 5, 2009 3:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You shall not pass!

by Velveeta on Oct 6, 2009 6:09 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

lol

Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
Gonsoulin, Taylor, Little, Wright, Gradishar, Atwater, Davis, and Sharpe...
Why are they not in the Hall...I just don't understand.

by Mike Clark on Oct 6, 2009 8:03 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

the orange gandalfs????

We could get all the LOTR people to jump on the broncos bandwagon with a name like that.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 6, 2009 9:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm already there!

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Oct 6, 2009 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs