Thread: Bailey making strong impression with Saints

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- Roland ''Champ'' Bailey, who turns 36 next month, figures there's no use trying to fool anyone - least of all himself - about his age.

As of now, he's the oldest every-down player on New Orleans' roster; place kicker Shayne Graham is his only elder teammate.

''If you put me on any team, I'm always going to be the old guy,'' Bailey said. ''It's just something I've got to get used to.''

Preferring to avoid comparisons to the player he was several years ago, Baily is focusing on what he can do in 2014. That's when the Saints' relatively young and partly overhauled secondary will need his leadership, veteran savvy, and still formidable play-making skills.

rest - http://sports.yahoo.com/news/bailey-...1259--nfl.html

I'll miss seeing Champ in Orange and Blue but it was time. We simply couldn't offer him the contract he would get here at this time, it would be an insult, and the team shouldn't have paid more simply because he's Champ. I'm very happy he landed in New Orleans and can finish his career with a good team. All the best to Champ.

Yep. Class act all the way.

Originally Posted by Davii

I'll miss seeing Champ in Orange and Blue but it was time. We simply couldn't offer him the contract he would get here at this time, it would be an insult, and the team shouldn't have paid more simply because he's Champ. I'm very happy he landed in New Orleans and can finish his career with a good team. All the best to Champ.

I would have liked the Broncos to at least see if he would renegotiate his contract here. I would believe what he signed for with NO would have been very workable here.

Details of his contract with NO
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...amp_baile.html

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

I would have liked the Broncos to at least see if he would renegotiate his contract here. I would believe what he signed for with NO would have been very workable here.

Details of his contract with NO
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf...amp_baile.html

I'm glad they didn't Carol. I'm certain he would've signed here for even less, and even less is what would've been offered. You don't ask a guy to take THAT large of a pay cut. I honestly believe it's better to cut ties than to tell a future hall of famer, definite ring of famer, "hey man, sorry, but here's what we think you're worth now." It's better to let someone else set that price. And quite honestly, what piece would we have given up for the extra money? Aqib, Ware, Ward? We spent the money Champ would've gotten a few times over.

It was more respectful to Champ to let him go find a club that suits what HE wants to do at this point in his life. When John talked with Champ the conversation wasn't about money, Champ said he wants to start and John knew the team needed Champ in a backup role. It wouldn't work.

Stupid to let him go.

The secondary better perform.

It's a tough situation. How do you take a guy who was the second highest paid player on the team, and one of only two guys with two lockers, and ask him to play for the veteran minimum?

Originally Posted by Al Wilson 4 Mayor

It's a tough situation. How do you take a guy who was the second highest paid player on the team, and one of only two guys with two lockers, and ask him to play for the veteran minimum?

Champ is set for life as far as money. All he wants is a SB ring. You just sit down with him, let him know that you want to go after top free agents, which will take a lot of money to get, and let him make the decision as to what he wants to do. When Elway was playing, he took less money more than once to help the Broncos.

Honestly, we will be fine without him.

I wish we could have kept him too, especially if we make another Super Bowl run this year. Signing Talib and drafting Roby should make up for his loss though.

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

Champ is set for life as far as money. All he wants is a SB ring. You just sit down with him, let him know that you want to go after top free agents, which will take a lot of money to get, and let him make the decision as to what he wants to do. When Elway was playing, he took less money more than once to help the Broncos.

The money he makes now isn't just about him, and he knows that.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Stupid to let him go.

The secondary better perform.

Uhmmm... didn't they have to perform last year without him?

Originally Posted by Davii

I'm glad they didn't Carol. I'm certain he would've signed here for even less, and even less is what would've been offered. You don't ask a guy to take THAT large of a pay cut. I honestly believe it's better to cut ties than to tell a future hall of famer, definite ring of famer, "hey man, sorry, but here's what we think you're worth now." It's better to let someone else set that price. And quite honestly, what piece would we have given up for the extra money? Aqib, Ware, Ward? We spent the money Champ would've gotten a few times over.

It was more respectful to Champ to let him go find a club that suits what HE wants to do at this point in his life. When John talked with Champ the conversation wasn't about money, Champ said he wants to start and John knew the team needed Champ in a backup role. It wouldn't work.

This, exactly. Making him a low offer would have been much more insulting than letting him go so that he could persue the highest bidder. Seems he also limited the options down to SB contenders as well.