As purging continues, Broncos need to consider ALL options

I’ve followed Champ’s career when I lived in DC with the Skins and was thrilled when we traded for him. He’s a future HOF and a guy that any team would kill to have. That being said, player loyalty can make you lose sight to your ultimate goal—fielding playoff teams that compete for Super Bowls. If the value is right, move Champ. I rather us invest in building a true D-line and usher in the Jack Williams era…

In this case, trading Champ may be the right answer—if the return in draft picks is right. I’d take a 2009 2nd and a 2010 4th for Champ. I trust that Xanders and McDaniels know what to do when drafting and using draft picks in trades.

Nothing ventured nothing gained!

If Champ is willing and the offer is right (except for anything from any AFC West team – especially the faders) we should pull the trigger (for both of our sakes).

we should not move YOUNG for the sake of moving young. We are not the Chiefs. We will need to keep some of our veterans around, especially the talented ones. Though I’d consider trading Champ if the price is right…like for a first rounder this year and a second next year….anything less would seem a waste to me.

The problem I have with Champ is that he is getting hurt more often and it is irritating to pay a guy $10 million a year for half a season. Then again, he is getting hurt because he has to chase down and tackle more and more running backs because the rest of the team isn’t able to bring them down. In that regard, I cannot really blame Champ for getting hurt more on the horrible defense we have.

if you want to blow it up, blow it up. I hope we somehow get two first round picks— take a franchise RB at 12, and a front-seven player in the 18 – 24 range (Laurinaitis?, Cushing?). If packaging Champ and another draft pick gets us back into the mid-first round, then I would be all for it.

My pipe dream right now for defense is aquireing four new, talented guys on the front seven— i.e., Laurinaitis, Canty, Scott, and Watson— to go along with our current talented guys— Thomas, DOOM, and DJ. Throw in a second round safety, a moderatly cheap corner in FA, a couple second day front-seven depth picks, and better coaching, and the defense will be much improved in 2009.

I’m with you Guru!I posted this same story Sunday,and slow white guy,and others had alot too say.Guess that’s why he’s slow lol hehehe!People need too open their mind’s,and see how pretty we would be sitting for year’s to come off this 1 trade.You guy’s are plenty crazy if you don’t think some team out there would’nt be ready to deal for Champ.Any one who claim’s they know football should know this!!!!

I love the idea of building through the draft. Love it. I also love the concept of stockpiling draft choices and flooding the roster with hungry, young talent. However, there is a point where you can have too much youth. There need to be some veteran leaders, and at this point Champ is the only one (DJ is not a leader and Doom does not play enough to be a leader). A defense comprised almost completely of rookies and imported free agents does not sound like a good idea to me.

Considering Champ’s contract, I am skeptical that a 2nd and 4th-rounder could be attained, but I suppose it can’t hurt to find out. A first-rounder is outside the realm of possibility.

Wow now that Guru said the same thing I said Sunday everyone’s on board now!You guy’s are sad,and pretty funny!!!lol.Remember the post The reason why we should Trade’ Champ Bailey?lol

I would take a 2nd and 4th no worries.
We could parlay these picks into a lot of great options for the future of our team.
I would trade Champ for Wilfork even, grab a guy like Bartells or Robinson, and play JMFW and Josh Bell and pick up a 1st or 2nd round CB.
I will be equally stoke if Champ stays, but I can guarentee you that the Dr X and Jedi are looking at all options….we are silly not to!
Lets remember that the Patriots got Randy Moss for a 4th….this is who Jedi has been trained by!

Got you boydy2669.Just making sure my point’s heard to bud.Just having a little fun!!

I voted no (knee jerk reaction) because all this time and theough all the changes I have been thinking about the 09 season and the fact that I dont want it to be a total throw away. But as I thought about it more I had a hapithany, just how much worse could the defense be? The answer is not much! There is really not that much room to be any worse on defense than we were last season. The fact is we could probably feild an entire defense of rookies and not do any worse and maybe be better so in total retrospect I say go for it get what ya can for him and move on. Hell just go ahead blow it up (the defense) and start all over, because the truth of the matter is I think we well still be better in the 09 season no matter what we do.

I think you look into the option starting with talking with Champ. What does he want? Where does he see things going for him (move to FS?)? If he wants big money to stay then now is the time to trade him to someone with a need. If he is a team guy and wants to play Bronco football from here on out, then there is no way you trade him.

there was a little smile on Xanders face when Bailey’s name came up from one of the media guys.. I think he will be atleast shopped, maybe a draft day trade, guess we’ll see. One thing is for certain, his best football is behind him and that ten million is pretty juicy – there’s nothing wrong with starting all over on defence, who would potentially be interested in aquiring Bailey?

 I think just about everyone would be interested in getting Bailey. I think the bigger question is what would other teams be willing to give for him.

  i do not want to see bailey go…. but I am also realistic enough to know that for the right price, McJedi would probably move him.

  We’ll just have to wait and see, huh?

I come at it from this way….Just how much of a leader can a guy be from the CB position? That is why I have always been an advocate of a strong linebacking corp. D-Line can be a little too close to the ball to lead, DBs too far away. You look at the stud defenses in the NFL, and they have a stud linebacker leading the way.

That isn’t to say that DBs aren’t leaders, but they are usually surrounded with a vocal leader at the LB position —

Ed Reed has Ray Lewis
Polamalu has Harrison, Larry Foote

I know those guys are safeties, and perhaps that proves my point. There are just so many layers that go into the impact a CB can have on the game — QB pressure, gameplan, etc. Hell, a team can decide simply not to throw or run Champ’s way.

I just don’t put much stock into the “leader” argument. Case in point, the defense was never the same after Al Wilson got hurt, with or without Champ.

What can it hurt. At this point our defense is as bad as it can be. Also I think every option should be looked at, such as moving Champ to safety ala Rod Woodson. I don’t know if these are the answers or not but it is all worth looking at. I think a second this year and a fourth next year would be good for Champ when you consider the limited number of years of production he has left. If Jedi and the X-man are sharp drafters we could get some great players in the second and fourth rounds. At this stage in the game I don’t think we can hurt ourselves defensively any more, so anything is worth considering.

I’d be OK with a trade for a good deal, but only if Champ agrees to it. At some point you have to consider factors like team loyalty. What kind of message would it send to the Bronco players if the new regime shuffles him off to a pit like Oakland or Detroit? Champ Bailey is one of the classiest guys in the NFL so, a huge NO to any trade unless Champ is on board with it.

ok so his best years are behind him and he’s going into next year with a doubt about his health after picking up his first major injury.

All perfect reasons to keep him.

Every offensive co-ordinator is going to test him to see if stories of his death have been greatly exaggerated and he’ll remind us why he’s worth the money. Its really tough to judge someone who didn’t really have much to do for a couple of years.

All it needs is a slightly better defense. As TSG said, all the best defenses have good linebackers as leaders. So lets get someone who can let champ be champ and be aggressive in pass coverage. No more lining him up over the tight end so he can stop a running play!

Let’s assume that the best long term interests of the team are to trade Champ (I don’t necessarily agree with this, but for the sake of argument I’ll play). There is still an unspoken qustion of WHEN to trade him. Two years ago Champ would have been an exptremely hot commodity, but he has had two years in a row where the interceptions have been way down and he just missed half a season to injury. Let’s face it, his trade value is way down. On top of that there are some very good free agents out there this year who could be had by other teams without giving up draft picks. An important question is whether you even can get decent trade value for Champ THIS year.

Even if you do want to trade him, aren’t we better off playing him another year, possibly making Pro Bowl again and generating some picks so that his draft stock rises? It’s not like we need the draft picks this year anyway.

Is there a limit to how many picks a team can have? In madden they limit you to 10 which is why I ask

But…the Broncos need draft picks. This is a business, ant it isn’t about love, it is about putting yourself in the best position possible to win. I’m a little surprised they didn’t try to trade Bly – maybe they did look into it, who knows – but it wouldn’t hurt to at least see what people are willing to offer for Bailey. If any of the offers are worth it then it is a good idea to consider. If not, then we get to retain one of the best corners in the league and a real team leader.

But the way they’re blowing up the roster, they need picks. Lots of picks.

CB Position…. :-o

Where’d it go? Oh, it’s okay some guy named McDaniels has our back.

It’s alright though. However, if Champ is shopped it can bring some very, VERY intriguing possibilities along with it. I will also caution everyone to be patient IF (big potential IF) it were to happen. Your CBs don’t just improve overnight when you lose both a player of Champ’s caliber and a guy like Bly (albeit a “non-tackler,” but still had his moments). Patience is a virtue and now that a new coach and scheme have entered the fray it looks like Denver may ask it’s fans to be patient once more.

I don’t mind, as long as it brings good things for BOTH Champ and the Broncos organization. Again though, patience. I’m sure the guys in the front office know what they’re doing.

  Another thought is that because we have so many changes to our roster comming that we might still need a little consistency. Champ is revered by all corners. If we are looking to get younger, we still need to keep a mentor. I think his valuable knowlege and ability to teach younger corners is irreplacable.

  I remember watching Foxworth against the Redskins years ago. He was in coverage. They tried to throw against Foxworth, and Fox got a pass interference call. Bailey pulled him aside, and the next play the Redskins tried it again. The result… Foxworth intercepted the ball. He ran the route facing the QB.

  Clearly it was Champs tutoring that helped Foxworth out. I believe we could not get adequate compensation for what we would be loosing when it comes to champ. There are too many immesurables.

  Just my opinion.

I love the how Champ pretty much shuts down one half of the field, however if the CB on the other side isn’t doing his job or there is no pass rush, something we don’t know how to do, then Champ’s presence isn’t a big factor. I like Champ and hope he stays because even though not a lot of passes come his way, he is awesome in stopping the run. always say, “whatever makes the Broncos a better more solid team I am all for.”

the defense was never the same after Al Wilson got hurt, with or without Champ.

You are so right Guru. Also, as you said on MHR Radio we seemed to play more fundamental football at times when Champ was out this past season. Interesting food for thought.

  So far we have released, what, 11players? with another 3 or four FA not going to be resigned? That makes 14 – 15 holes on the 53 man roster, not to mention the 80 or so people you want in training camp.

  We are already in the hole because we have 9 picks in the draft. Of course there will always be college UFAs. leaving four or more FAs to be signed (mathmatically speaking).

  Why would we decide to cut further into the skelatal structure of the defense? We still need something to build off of, don’t we? Champ, either at corner or saftey, fills a need. We might be trimming too thin if we try to move Champ. He is very valuable to us. Even in his deminished play (yes, I noted that it was not only Dre Bly that gave up a long touchdown bomb to Brett Farve that game) he is still better than many corners on many teams. Even If you move him to saftey, we can surely use him there, he would certainly be helpful as many QB’s would hesitate to throw that deep ball because Champ would already be back awaiting it. It would take away the deep threat from every team. I am certain that unless there is a great offer from a team, that Champ needs to stay right here.

  He adds versatility. If we can get a good corner, use Champ at saftey, ONLY if the corner is better than Champ. If we can get a good saftey in FA, then keep Champ at corner, it opens up the possibilities a little.

when mentioning the backlash of an already shocked fanbase. Readers of MHR are, on average, more informed fans who are in tune with the Broncos much moreso than our “weekend warrior” bretheren, who contitute the vast majority of the orange and blue fan base.
That said, it should be realized that those fans cling to Champ as a pillar of this team. I think Champs earned admiration of this fan base, could very well buy him a few years here. I voted yes, but I’m not sure that “McXanders” and Bowlen are prepared to cause this type of trauma to the already shook up Bronco faithful.

what teams would want Champ? or, what teams are a “Champ” away from winning it all?

AFC

NE – can’t see them making a trade, esp now that McD is here
Indy – don’t see that happening
Pitt – doesn’t fit their biz model approach to FA
SD – don’t need
Tenn – maybe? but at what cost? Haynsworth will cost big bucks this year
Houston – does Kubes go after him? don’t know…
Bills – interesting….small market could benefit from Champ, but Im not sure their secondary is that bad…
Miami – can’t see Parcells pulling the trigger

NFC

Cowgirls – possibility just because of Jerry
Skins – HAHA…
TB – maybe…?
Saints – maybe?

anyway, you see where im going with this… who are the potential suitors?

a) Obviously when a team is rebuilding you explore all options, but as many of you have pointed out Champ’s perceived trade value is well below his value to the team. Should the Broncos be open to exploring those trade possibilities? Absolutely, but it wont happen.

b) McD recently said that they are looking for “Smart, tough players”, Champ is both of those. Champ is smart enough, and talented enough that you build your defense around his skills, not try and plug his skills into what you think your defense should be. The Patriots have always done that on both sides of the ball, find the best players, according to their criteria, then find the best way to use them. Look at the 2 best defenses in the league, the Stealers and Ravens, they have intelligent, athletic, tough, motivated players lining up all over the field. Champ stays. The challenge is on Mike Nolan to maximize his skills on Defense.

c) If Champ lines up on special teams again next season I predict a losing season for the Broncos because the change in coaching staff has failed and Mike Nolan should go sell cars or something.

 I think NE would not give a second thought to McD being a show stopper if they wanted Champ. They have a history of going after older vets.

  SD had a very poor defense, any addition would improve their D, and Champ would improve it,

  Miami sold out for Ricky Williams, and Champ would certainly improve what they are doing there.

  KC might be up for a trade. They had 11 picks last year in the draft, and need talent NOW!

  The Raiders would want him to form a dangerous CB tandem.

  The saint love FAs, and are looking at the now instead of the future, I think they would make a move. Especially dealing with Carolina and Tampa Bay like they do.

  None of these are facts, but certainly possibilities.

  That being said, I do not want to see Champ moved at all. He belongs in Denver, in my opinion.

I could see the logic in it, and I was not vehemently against it. However, now that Bly has been shown the door, and with the safety position still in need, moving Champ would severely deplete the secondary. I really don’t think they have any intention of sending him anywhere, else they would have kept Bly. At least, that is my impression, but I have been wrong a lot lately, so who knows?

I know the NFL is a business. Sometimes business has to be tough. Sometimes you’ve got to make ruthless decisions to improve the end product. That’s what businesses do.

But, frankly, I don’t have one dollar invested in the Broncos. I’ve invested my heart in them. And it’s no short term investment either. I’ve invested my heart in them ever since I was a little boy. Now I’m close to what many would call an old man and I still give them my heart. I will continue to do so until my heart gives out. It’s not a business to me. It’s family. I love these guys almost like they are a part of my family. You don’t trade your brother because you can get a better one, at a discount, from some other city. You don’t throw away Gramma because her up-keep is getting a little steep for the return you get back from her.

Champ has played his heart out for us, given us a lot of the best he has to offer. How can we do anything less for him?

I know Champ is getting beyond his prime, but the fact is he still is one of the best in the league when healthy and I think he has the smarts to play well for another five years even though he may be losing some of his physical skills. I have seen the thoughts of trading him for a 1st rounder, but that won’t happen, no team will give up a 1st rounder for him because of his salary and injury history, I much rather have him here to provide some guidence to other young CB as a mentor, and to also help Cutler and Co. understand how to beat a top CB, he has more value than just what he does on Sundays.

Like several others I voted yes not because I want a trade or think a 2nd and 4th is worth it but because the choices offered are basically 1) let’s keep an open mind, and 2) hell no! When you put it that way [ :) ] number one is logical, but it’s a testament to Champ’s popularity that so many still voted number two.

I’m only doing it for a first rounder… I wouldn’t necessarily do this but we could possible swap Peppers and Bailey if Peppers is Franchised

313 to 309 votes. I voted, like the (slim) majority, for dangling him.

And yes i would take the 2009-2nd and 2010-4th. No use for corners, when you haven’t got pass-rush.

because I just got a 24 jersey for Christmas…and I don’t think a 2nd and a 4th is worth it for us. Between the draft picks we have and the FA’s out there Champ is way more valuable than those picks, especially considering we don’t really have to add too much on offense.

At least one more year. Improve the D around him; better pass rush, maybe he won’t have to play so much run support.

My thinking hasn’t changed since this question was first posted but the context has. Leaving Bailey in place made sense then largely because his “trade value” was less than what he brought to the team. The difference between then and now is timing, and I don’t mean that has trade value has improved. Bailey’s age is now a much greater factor since the rebuilding effort is going to outlast his ability to provide a meaningful contribution to the team.

The team and Bailey are different calendars. Moreover, as we’ve seen lately, even when he’s playing at top form he can’t compensate for weaknesses elsewhere on the defense — teams merely search out a weakness elsewhere. It’s a sort of “weakest link” logic. No matter how strong Bailey is (the strong link) he can’t make the defensive unit strong enough overall because of weak links elsewhere, thus his strength is wasted.

Finding a reasonable value is still a problem, and I wouldn’t want to give Bailey away at a sub-bargain price as Oakland did with Moss even if buyers are hard to find. On a team with a stronger supporting cast he could still prove to be the difference in winning a championship — THINK NEW ENGLAND!!

Guru’s asking price is highly appropriate, and for both sides. I also think it would expedite a trade if Bailey agreed to re-work his contract to make it cap friendly and gave his blessing to a number of trade destinations that are on the brink of a championship. Others here would know those better than I, although a few teams come to mind.

  Why explore trades that probably are not going to happen . Why cant we just let the guy
 heal up from his injurys. And wait for him to return to the strength speed and form that
  he once had . He will be whole again and dominating ! be patient.
    
        I am going on the record as one of the people that wanted to stick with champ
      all the way no matter what . So when the turnaround happens everyone
     will know where i stood .

I’m sure that if McD is pondering this, he is weighing it carefully.

Cuz I bet he won’t soon forget that near endzone-to-endzone, almost-pick-six Champ handed NE a few mere years ago. That’s gotta be damn near indelible in the minds of anyone on the Patriots’ staff that year.

Does that mean it’ll trigger an automatic recount?

  What happened to the BY THE NUMBERS segment
    A number for each bronco each day up to #99 ???

You hit the mother lode here, Guru. You ought to get double-recs for this. :)

Still, if I were part of the negotiations on players, they would meet a stone wall in me when it comes to Champ . . .

if the deal was good enough. The real difference is WHAT we’d be willing to trade him for. I would hesitate to take just a first round pick for him- after all, we’d have to SPEND a pick on a CB is we traded him. And frankly, with Namdi, Ryans, and some of the other CB’s on the FA market, we wouldn’t get that much for Champ… especially coming off a down season.

JohnnyB is traveling to Indy for the Combine….how freakin’ cool is that? Live updates from the Combine itself….SA-WEET!

I did receive a media credential, but things just didn;t work out the way I needed them to. That said, they don;t let the media watch the workouts. You basically sit in a room and they bring different guys in and out to talk to.

For all of you dads out there, I know you get where I am coming from, plus it is the better half’s birthday this weekend. I had her full blessing to go, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave her with 2 kids for 3 days. I am definitely going to the Draft in April, and to Training Camp in July, but the Combine just wasn;t in the cards for me this year.

it is a question I have thought about a lot lately. My only concern is who do we bring in to replace him/ who do we have to replace him? Getting something from trading him is one thing but who is going to virtually shut down half of the field the way champ does? I voted for float him out there but I still say there is a lot to consider before pulling the trade trigger

After all, a lock down corner is not the team. The Denver D sucked with or without him. There are good corners who can do the job and do it better with a well rounded defense.

Thank you to all contributors to this site. I really appreciate the great posts and comments. I was getting so tired of the mumbo-jumbo from other sites where you would have one good post followed by a bunch of nonsense and name calling.

Okay maybe don’t shop DJ… I’m just saying, wait and see what happens in free agency and that draft.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but, I except that the broncos are going to be much improved on the front 7. And when the front 7 play wait just wait and see how champ’s game elevates.

His 10 yard cushions will not look so funny when he’s running the other way with the ball and reservations for 6.

With our offense, we only need a small amount of improvement on our defense to become a viable championship contender. Trading away our best defensive back, and the best DB to EVER play the game would not be a step in that direction.

We had the best DB ever to play the game on special teams. Enough said.