Denver Native (Carol)
11-18-2012, 01:48 PM
Two years ago, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was preparing himself to leave the team he’d spent the previous six-and-a-half years playing for. Playing in the final year of a seven-year deal that he signed after he was acquired from the Redskins back in 2004, Bailey and the Broncos abruptly broke off contract extension talks in October 2010, and the chances of the future Hall of Famer returning for year No. 8 looked slim to none.
But then, John Elway stepped in and saved the day.
“The reason I didn’t re-sign was Josh (McDaniels) didn’t want to re-sign me during the season,” Bailey told me earlier this week. “So, I didn’t know what to expect. I was preparing myself to leave, but once (John) Elway took over, the first thing that came out of his mouth was that he wanted to re-sign me. That’s when my hopes became to grow again. I began to prepare myself for the worst, but it worked out.”
These days, the Broncos are busy leading the AFC West and can all but lock up the divisional crown with a win later today over the Chargers at Mile High. Most will point to Elway’s more recent stroke of magic, convincing Peyton Manning to sign up with the Broncos back in March. And sure, the Broncos wouldn’t be anywhere near 6-3 without the remarkable Manning leading the charge. But without Elway’s first order of business, getting Bailey to re-sign on a four-year deal in February 2011, the Broncos wouldn’t have the sixth-ranked defense in the NFL (in yards allowed) and the 11th ranked passing defense heading into today’s game.
rest - interesting - http://milehighsports.com/2012/11/18/bianchi-champ-bailey-made-the-right-choice/
But then, John Elway stepped in and saved the day.
“The reason I didn’t re-sign was Josh (McDaniels) didn’t want to re-sign me during the season,” Bailey told me earlier this week. “So, I didn’t know what to expect. I was preparing myself to leave, but once (John) Elway took over, the first thing that came out of his mouth was that he wanted to re-sign me. That’s when my hopes became to grow again. I began to prepare myself for the worst, but it worked out.”
These days, the Broncos are busy leading the AFC West and can all but lock up the divisional crown with a win later today over the Chargers at Mile High. Most will point to Elway’s more recent stroke of magic, convincing Peyton Manning to sign up with the Broncos back in March. And sure, the Broncos wouldn’t be anywhere near 6-3 without the remarkable Manning leading the charge. But without Elway’s first order of business, getting Bailey to re-sign on a four-year deal in February 2011, the Broncos wouldn’t have the sixth-ranked defense in the NFL (in yards allowed) and the 11th ranked passing defense heading into today’s game.
rest - interesting - http://milehighsports.com/2012/11/18/bianchi-champ-bailey-made-the-right-choice/