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View Full Version : Older brother should bring out best in Boss



Lonestar
07-20-2008, 02:43 AM
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — If father knows best, the Broncos will be pleased.

Roland Bailey Sr. thinks it's best for all concerned that Boss Bailey will be playing alongside his older brother Champ, formally if not formerly known as Roland Bailey Jr., on the Broncos' defense.

"I think Boss will play better, play harder," Roland Sr. said about his youngest son. "He won't want to let Champ down."

Boss Bailey agrees with his father about the positive influence he will draw by often lining up just a few feet away from his older brother on the left side of the Broncos' defense. Champ plays left cornerback, and Boss, as a strongside linebacker, will often line up off the tight end on the left side.

"Absolutely, I think having Champ as a teammate will elevate my game a lot," Boss said, "because he tries to be great in everything he does. And as the people down there might have told you, we're kind of joined at the hip. So, I plan on raising my game by being around him."

Left on his own, Boss Bailey wasn't bad. He was a four-year starter with the Detroit Lions, playing at a high enough level to draw a five-year, $17.5 million contract from the Broncos on the free-agent market.

The Broncos didn't sign Boss to appease Champ, although there is wisdom in a team taking care of its best player. Boss is primarily with the team because the Broncos play in a division — the AFC West — that features two of the game's premier tight ends in San Diego's Antonio Gates and Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez.

"Boss is good in pass coverage," Roland Sr. said. "Looked like that's where they were lacking last year. They were always getting beat by the tight end. Boss has good foot speed."

In Champ's younger days, when he was at the University of Georgia and early in his NFL career with the Washington Redskins, he often would deflect praise by telling people his younger brother was a better athlete, would become a better player.

For a couple of reasons, it didn't turn out that way. First, Champ was selling himself short. Boss may not be a better player than Champ, but who is? Secondly, whatever chance Boss had of surpassing his brother, his knees wouldn't let him. He blew out his knee in his senior year in high school, sophomore year in college and second year in the NFL.

"That's the thing, when I talk about Boss and give him all that praise, it's because he's been through more than I have," Champ said. "He's been through a lot, but he's always bouncing back. I give him a lot of credit for that. A lot of guys, they'll falter, they can't come back. As long as healthy, he's one of the best out there."

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9929445?source=rss

Den21vsBal19
07-20-2008, 02:58 AM
Good read, let's hope they can push each other to higher levels of performance

claymore
07-20-2008, 07:42 AM
I didnt know about Boss's knees........... That sucks.

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 12:22 PM
I didn't know about Boss's knees........... That sucks.


three time loser with his knees that scares me.. I cringed when I read that also.. Hopefully a good training program can help to see it does not happen again..

Lonestar
07-20-2008, 12:24 PM
Good read, let's hope they can push each other to higher levels of performance

not sure how much better Champ can get.. but boss can make huge improvements IMO..

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-20-2008, 12:48 PM
The good news is he was healthy all last year. So maybe he has shaken the bug? I cant wait to see the LBs flying around out there.

girler
07-20-2008, 01:44 PM
I am an optimist. I absolutely cannot wait to watch these brothers on the field!!!! :salute:

Tebow4Ever
07-20-2008, 08:42 PM
I am an optimist. I absolutely cannot wait to watch these brothers on the field!!!! :salute:

I agree, Its going to be cool watching the energy that these two Bailey brothers will generate. I have high hopes for the defense this year. I suspect we will see many changes and the Broncos D of Old will come back....