Greatest Bronco plays of all time: #7 Champ picks of Brady

[titan]

From my blog at http://sportsindenver.blogspot.com/

Next in my countdown of greatest all time bronco plays: the only entry on this list where the play makes BOTH the Broncos all time list and the opponent's. Champ Bailey's game changing interception and return in the playoff game against the New England Patriots in 2006. Here's a feature from NFL Network telling the New England side of that play:

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With Denver clinging to a 10-6 lead and the Patriots threatening to take the lead in the 3rd quarter, this play changed the game. It was the most important of several big interceptions for Champ Bailey in the 2005 season - the finest season I've ever seen from a Broncos cornerback. Fortunately Ben Watson's great play to cause Champ to fumble at the 1 was not ruled a touchback, and Mike Anderson's followup 1 yard touchdown run gave the Broncos a comfortable 17-6 lead.

Tom Brady came into this game with 3 Super Bowl Rings and having never lost a playoff game. With credentials like that I am sure Brady will get a locker in Canton, but for some reason he never seems to play well in games at Invesco Field. I was at this game and noticed Brady missing open receivers all game. Three years later in facing Josh McDaniels Broncos at Invesco Brady was equally off target.

Next on the countdown: a game changing play from the miracle 77 season

[topscribe]

Two shocks in one play: Champ's INT and Watson's rundown. Of course, Champ
was coasting by that time, thinking he was way out ahead, but I will never stop
admiring Watson for that effort. One for the ages on both accounts . . .

Thanks, Titan.

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[BroncoWave]

One of my favorite Broncos plays I've ever seen. Probably second to the helicopter.

[Northman]

Two shocks in one play: Champ's INT and Watson's rundown. Of course, Champ
was coasting by that time, thinking he was way out ahead, but I will never stop
admiring Watson for that effort. One for the ages on both accounts . . .

Thanks, Titan.

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Yea, im still kind of pissed that Champ letdown as i like to call that the (Leon Lett syndrome) but Watson will always get my respect for that play. Thats how you play 100% all the time as we were lucky that the call wasnt overturned as it was inconclusive as too whether or not it passed through the endzone. Had Champ stayed full throttle it wouldnt of been an issue. Great win though.

[topscribe]

Yea, im still kind of pissed that Champ letdown as i like to call that the (Leon Lett syndrome) but Watson will always get my respect for that play. Thats how you play 100% all the time as we were lucky that the call wasnt overturned as it was inconclusive as too whether or not it passed through the endzone. Had Champ stayed full throttle it wouldnt of been an issue. Great win though.

Actually, I wasn't too upset at Champ. He still had some game to play.

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[titan]

Yea, im still kind of pissed that Champ letdown as i like to call that the (Leon Lett syndrome) but Watson will always get my respect for that play. Thats how you play 100% all the time as we were lucky that the call wasnt overturned as it was inconclusive as too whether or not it passed through the endzone. Had Champ stayed full throttle it wouldnt of been an issue. Great win though.

The Broncos escorting Champ could have blocked Watson, too. They were relaxing more than Champ was at the end of this play.

Great play overall though by Champ and Watson. Champ had such a great season that year - too bad he couldn't have picked off Big Ben the next week when he had the chance early in the 1st quarter.

[e-Lou-sive1]

Champ Bailey was already exhausted after playing a full game and to run a 100 yd sprint thinking that players blocking for have you covered that hit should have never happened.

I remember Brady commenting later that he gave the Broncos the game this was a typical Brady answer and what was most funny is that Brady looked lost not knowing what to do after the game since he was always on the winning end.

This game was a Broncos classic and putting a number to each one is not easy to do since we all have our all time favorites keep up the good work it's great to relive the moments over again

[Bosco]

Champ Bailey was already exhausted after playing a full game and to run a 100 yd sprint thinking that players blocking for have you covered that hit should have never happened.

Correct. IIRC Champ had to hit the oxygen after that play. He didn't let up, he just ran out of gas.

[scott.475]

Watson's play was good, but doing the math, if my math is correct, it really is not quite as amazing as it is made out to be, though the hit was impressive. A field is 53 yards wide, Watson started his pursuit from right inside the "10", at the ten yard line, on his side of the field. From Watson's starting point to the far side of the field where Champ ran would be 44 yards (9 yards from the sideline to the inside of the numbers). He hit Champ at the 2 yard line. So, using a little math (44 yard width, 88 yard length), shows that Watson's pursuit was actually only 98 yards compared to Champs credited 100.

Not only that, but Champ looked to be about 4 yards from the sideline when he made the interception and did not hit the sideline until he was right about the 20 yard line, adding another half yard or so to his overall run. Watching the video closely, Watson begins his pursuit almost immediately after Champ makes the catch, looking to be going full speed from the 10 just as Champ crosses the 5, so at that point he is actually running in front of Champ.

In addition, Faulk impeded Champs run trying to make the tackle, really slowing him down for a bit, while Watson's running into the official seems to be more of a glancing blow than anything else.

So, while the play seems to be impressive, and it really would be if they had actually both truly started at the same point, essentially what you have is Watson outrunning Champ on a slightly shorter path and after Champs progress was slowed up by Faulk's attempted tackle. I have to say Champ had the more impressive run.:D

[Northman]

Watson's play was good, but doing the math, if my math is correct, it really is not quite as amazing as it is made out to be, though the hit was impressive. A field is 53 yards wide, Watson started his pursuit from right inside the "10", at the ten yard line, on his side of the field. From Watson's starting point to the far side of the field where Champ ran would be 44 yards (9 yards from the sideline to the inside of the numbers). He hit Champ at the 2 yard line. So, using a little math (44 yard width, 88 yard length), shows that Watson's pursuit was actually only 98 yards compared to Champs credited 100.

Not only that, but Champ looked to be about 4 yards from the sideline when he made the interception and did not hit the sideline until he was right about the 20 yard line, adding another half yard or so to his overall run. Watching the video closely, Watson begins his pursuit almost immediately after Champ makes the catch, looking to be going full speed from the 10 just as Champ crosses the 5, so at that point he is actually running in front of Champ.

In addition, Faulk impeded Champs run trying to make the tackle, really slowing him down for a bit, while Watson's running into the official seems to be more of a glancing blow than anything else.

So, while the play seems to be impressive, and it really would be if they had actually both truly started at the same point, essentially what you have is Watson outrunning Champ on a slightly shorter path and after Champs progress was slowed up by Faulk's attempted tackle. I have to say Champ had the more impressive run.:D

The fact the guy didnt quit on the play makes it impressive. Most players dont even go full throttle like that.