Bailey: ‘Barring Any Setbacks, I’ll Be Out There’ By Stuart Zaas DenverBroncos.com November 27, 2013 Cornerback Champ Bailey talked about his status for this week’s game at Kansas City. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – After missing the past four games with a foot injury, cornerback Champ Bailey feels he’s getting closer to making his return this week at Kansas City. Bailey sat out the first five games of the season with a foot injury before reinjuring the foot at Indianapolis in Week 7. The patience required to let the foot heal is something that hasn’t come easily for the 15th-year veteran. “That’s the hardest thing for me,” Bailey said. “Any time something goes wrong, I want to be in there to try to help. But, I have to make sure I take care of my body. The foot is feeling a lot better. I’m going to keep progressing through the week to make sure that I’m ready for Sunday.” Bailey returned to practice on Wed., Nov. 13 and has been limited in each session since. He was listed as doubtful for the Week 11 game versus Kansas City and then questionable for Week 12 at New England. This week, he said his prognosis could be more positive. “I feel like barring any setbacks, I’ll be out there," Bailey said. "That’s the way I’m preparing myself this week – to play. And if nothing goes wrong, I’ll be there.” Bailey has been listening to the doctors’ advice as well as his own body as he rehabilitates the foot. That has meant easing his way back on to the field and making sure he doesn’t re-injure the foot by playing before it’s ready. “Yeah – obviously, I’m going to be the better judge out of anybody just because I feel it,” Bailey said. “I feel like it is good to go and one thing about our doctors – they are pretty good about knowing when I’d be back, and they pretty much guessed around this time. So, I’m pretty pleased with my progress and just trying to get better every day.” While that hasn’t been easy, given his nature, he knows patience is what is best for the long-term. “That’s pretty much who I am. I’m always competitive like that,” Bailey said. “But, obviously I have to make sure I’m 100 percent before I think I’m going to do anything like that. I have to take care of my body first.” Bailey Nominated for Salute to Service Award By Brandon Moree DenverBroncos.com November 21, 2013 Cornerback Champ Bailey has been nominated for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – As a part of the Salute to Service campaign, the NFL and the USAA honor one individual with the Salute to Service Award for demonstrating demonstrate an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. Each team has a nominee for the award and the Broncos’ nominee is cornerback Champ Bailey. The finalists for the award will be announced in January and the winner will be recognized at the “3rd Annual NFL Honors” awards show in New York City on Fox the night before Super Bowl XLVIII. Last summer, Bailey spent time with the Thunderbirds and flew around in a F-16 pulling nine G’s. “From the outside looking in, you always have this level of appreciation but when you get out here and experience it a little bit it just goes up even more,” Bailey said during his visit with the Thunderbirds. “I appreciate everything these guys do – I don’t know how they do half the stuff they do but that’s part of their job and I’m glad they’re doing it.” Bailey, alongside linebacker Von Miller also went on a USO Tour earlier this year. With the USO, Bailey visited U.S. Military bases throughout the Middle East. That week-long tour was the continuation of a 45-year-old tradition of NFL players making morale-building trips overseas. This year is the third time the award has been given out. Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman was named last year’s winner and the late Titans owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, a World War II veteran, won the inaugural award. Bailey Looking for Improvement By Stuart Zaas DenverBroncos.com October 17, 2013 ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – After making his 2013 debut in Denver’s Week 6 win versus Jacksonville, cornerback Champ Bailey knows there is room for improvement. After all, he didn’t become a 12-time Pro Bowler by setting a low standard for himself. “I’m kind of a perfectionist when it comes to my game,” Bailey said after practice on Thursday. “It’s something I’ve been looking at and making sure I get a little better every week.” While he didn’t want to assign a letter grade to his performance in his first week back from a foot injury, Bailey admitted that it “wasn’t up to par.” On Monday, Head Coach John Fox agreed with the veteran that there was room to improve. “I think, overall, pretty good,” Fox said when asked to evaluate Bailey’s performance. “I thought we definitely cut down on our explosive passes, we cut down the point total, which are critical factors in winning and losing games. Like everybody, I think there’s room for improvement.” Last week Bailey spent time in coverage against second-year wideout Justin Blackmon, who at 23 years old is 12 years younger than Bailey. Sunday, Bailey could see time matched up against Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who is just one year younger than Bailey. “Yeah we probably have more in common than all these other guys I’m going to be covering this season,” Bailey laughed. “I’m sure I’ll call him ‘old man’ at some point throughout the game.” Bailey and Wayne have seen plenty of one another throughout their 15 and 13-year careers, respectively. The difference in this matchup? It’ll be the first time that Bailey covers the wideout without Peyton Manning throwing Wayne the ball. “That is true,” Bailey said when that fact was presented to him. “And that’s what made it so tough. You’ve got a guy that can run great routes, but then also a quarterback that puts it right on the money. Yeah, those days back then – I don’t miss it.” Even without a four-time MVP throwing him the ball, Wayne has seen plenty of success over the past two years. He’s seventh in the league with 1,808 receiving yards since the Colts drafted Andrew Luck with the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. “See, he can make all those throws as well,” Bailey said of Luck. “But I think what really makes him so dangerous is he when he pulls it down and can run for that first down and make guys miss here and there. He’s pretty good about that too.” Denver Broncos CB Champ Bailey returns to help calm defense By David Krause 9News.com October 13, 2013 KUSA - Champ Bailey played his first game of the season Sunday, and the Denver Broncos veteran cornerback provided a calming voice for a troubled secondary. After the first five weeks, the Broncos' defense ranked last in the league in pass defense (allowing 347.0 yards per game). Bailey had practiced the past three weeks but had not played since spraining his foot in the Aug. 17 preseason game. "It was a tough challenge, I'll tell you that," Bailey said. "It definitely wasn't a cake walk. It was challenging, but I got one under my belt and I feel good going forward." Bailey had a bit of rust early and gave up a 22-yard play to Justin Blackmon on the Jaguars' second drive. But Bailey finished with six tackles, broke up three passes and intercepted a two-point conversion try by Chad Henne to keep the Jaguars from tying the score just before halftime. "Absolutely, he's going to be a good receiver for a long time," Bailey said of Blackmon. "I really gave him props because he worked hard. He's on a team that's 0-5 and guys can get down, but that shows how special he is. He kept working, he kept grinding and he looks good. " While Bailey returned, fifth-year veteran cornerback Tony Carter was on the inactive list. Rookie Kayvon Webster had his firstt career interception early in the fourth quarter at the Denver 49-yard line. The Broncos scorred five plays later to take a 35-19 lead and secure the win. "Guys stepped up today and I'm real proud of them," Bailey said. Broncos coach John Fox said the defense felt Bailey's leadership . "When you're out there playing the game, you need a calming effect," Fox said. "Champ definitely gives that to our defense, especially with (linebacker) Wesley Woodyard not out there, really for two weeks in a row. It was very exciting to have him back." Bailey Returns By Brandon Moree DenverBroncos.com October 13, 2013 CB Champ Bailey made his 2013 debut against the Jaguars. DENVER – After watching from the sidelines for the first five weeks of the season, veteran cornerback Champ Bailey made his 2013 debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bailey completed his first practice of the 2013 regular season with full participation on Wednesday. “It was a tough challenge,” Bailey said of his first game back, a 35-19 win.