Denver Native (Carol)
10-18-2008, 11:41 AM
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/oct/17/broncos-report-bailey-ready-for-moss/
Combined, they have been named to 14 Pro Bowls, so whenever Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss are on the same field, there is certainly a chance of something compelling happening.
"I wouldn't mind (matching up), that would be a good battle," Bailey said. "I know a lot of people like to see stuff like that."
The last time the Broncos faced a team with Moss in the lineup - against the Oakland Raiders in November 2006 - they had Bailey shadow Moss all over the field much of the time.
"They've gone well for me because, unfortunately, he hasn't had a great quarterback," Bailey said. "I'm just glad when we play them this year, he doesn't have (Tom) Brady throwing him the ball."
Moss finished with one reception for 8 yards in what was a 17-13 Broncos win. That day Bailey followed Moss all over the formation, going from the defensive left - where Bailey usually plays - over to the defensive right and even into the slot.
And Bailey rarely has played in the slot at any other time with the Broncos.
This season, with a steady diet of zone coverages the Broncos have played - defenders are responsible for specific sections of the field rather than a specific player - the Broncos have yet to lock up Bailey on one receiver for an entire game.
However, former defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, with current defensive coordinator Bob Slowik as the secondary coach, often put Bailey on some of the more high-profile receivers the team faced such as Moss or Terrell Owens.
Teams primarily have avoided Bailey this season, with the past two Broncos opponents - Tampa Bay and Jacksonville - not attempting a pass into Bailey's area of the field.
If the Broncos don't match Bailey up, Moss could find another familiar foe waiting. Dre Bly faced Moss three times - Moss was inactive for a fourth - in Bly's time in Detroit when Moss played for the Vikings.
Moss had 85, 56 and 104 yards receiving in those three games with only one touchdown.
"I think I've always been successful against Randy in the times I've faced him," Bly said. "When you play corner in this league, you love that kind of challenge."
Bailey and Bly both said Moss' speed, even in his 10th NFL season, is difficult to deal with, along with his reach, his ability to play the ball in the air and his ability to position his body in the catch.
"He's still one of the best to me, if not the best," Bailey said. "The way he plays, he's so capable of making the big play at any moment."
"Just those ball skills," Bly said. "He gets himself to where you can't get it."
Moss piled up 1,493 yards last season to go with a single-season record 23 touchdown catches with Brady on his way toward an MVP award.
This season with Matt Cassel replacing Brady, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener, things have dialed back some in the Patriots offense. But Moss still has had two 100-yard games - 116 against the Chiefs and 111 against the 49ers - and has caught two of Cassel's three touchdown passes.
Combined, they have been named to 14 Pro Bowls, so whenever Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss are on the same field, there is certainly a chance of something compelling happening.
"I wouldn't mind (matching up), that would be a good battle," Bailey said. "I know a lot of people like to see stuff like that."
The last time the Broncos faced a team with Moss in the lineup - against the Oakland Raiders in November 2006 - they had Bailey shadow Moss all over the field much of the time.
"They've gone well for me because, unfortunately, he hasn't had a great quarterback," Bailey said. "I'm just glad when we play them this year, he doesn't have (Tom) Brady throwing him the ball."
Moss finished with one reception for 8 yards in what was a 17-13 Broncos win. That day Bailey followed Moss all over the formation, going from the defensive left - where Bailey usually plays - over to the defensive right and even into the slot.
And Bailey rarely has played in the slot at any other time with the Broncos.
This season, with a steady diet of zone coverages the Broncos have played - defenders are responsible for specific sections of the field rather than a specific player - the Broncos have yet to lock up Bailey on one receiver for an entire game.
However, former defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, with current defensive coordinator Bob Slowik as the secondary coach, often put Bailey on some of the more high-profile receivers the team faced such as Moss or Terrell Owens.
Teams primarily have avoided Bailey this season, with the past two Broncos opponents - Tampa Bay and Jacksonville - not attempting a pass into Bailey's area of the field.
If the Broncos don't match Bailey up, Moss could find another familiar foe waiting. Dre Bly faced Moss three times - Moss was inactive for a fourth - in Bly's time in Detroit when Moss played for the Vikings.
Moss had 85, 56 and 104 yards receiving in those three games with only one touchdown.
"I think I've always been successful against Randy in the times I've faced him," Bly said. "When you play corner in this league, you love that kind of challenge."
Bailey and Bly both said Moss' speed, even in his 10th NFL season, is difficult to deal with, along with his reach, his ability to play the ball in the air and his ability to position his body in the catch.
"He's still one of the best to me, if not the best," Bailey said. "The way he plays, he's so capable of making the big play at any moment."
"Just those ball skills," Bly said. "He gets himself to where you can't get it."
Moss piled up 1,493 yards last season to go with a single-season record 23 touchdown catches with Brady on his way toward an MVP award.
This season with Matt Cassel replacing Brady, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season opener, things have dialed back some in the Patriots offense. But Moss still has had two 100-yard games - 116 against the Chiefs and 111 against the 49ers - and has caught two of Cassel's three touchdown passes.