Broncos Country has always held a soft spot in his heart for Champ Bailey. Since retiring from the NFL after the 2013 season, his beloved jersey no. 24 can be seen throughout Mile High City, especially on game day.
Now, the whole world recognizes Bailey as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (class 2019).
Originally selected in the first round in Georgia in 1999, Bailey played in Washington for the first five seasons of his career. Then, in 2004, Denver traded Clinton Portis back to Washington for Bailey and a second-round draft pick.
The rest, as they say, is history, with Bailey playing in 215 games and recording 931 approaches (832 solos), 42 approaches to a loss, 52 interceptions, 203 defenders, seven forts, six beat recoveries and four touchdowns.
So when he speaks 12 times the Pro Bowler who played a decade in Denver, people tend to listen. Earlier this week, Bailey appeared on 104.3 Fans Nick and Cecil where he was asked about the possibility of Denver pursuing QB Deshaun Watson through trade.
“It would be a great move,” Bailey told former teammate Nick Ferguson and co-host Cecil Lammey. “He is a proven defender, a franchise defender. He will change a franchise and its trajectory. So why not have some fun? “
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Speculation about the continued rate of doing business with the Houston Texans could cost a contender more draft options in the first round, in addition to premium players. While some find Watson’s purchase too expensive, I would urge Broncos Brass to listen to Hall-of-Famer.
Considered by many to be the best defender to ever play in the NFL, Bailey only appeared in a Super Bowl (XLVIII) where he and the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8. He was released the following March. Although he has received numerous awards and set multiple records, Bailey has never lifted the Lombardi trophy above his head.
I have always subscribed to the theory that franchised QBs are not developed, they are born. If a team falls head over heels in love with a guy, that team has to move mountains to take him. Bailey would agree.
“I’m looking at the Broncos right now, like it’s almost 2012,” Bailey said The fan. “It’s kind of the same dynamic. You have a young guy who did well and did a few good things, but nothing to make you feel good about the future. Then you have a guy who can really change your franchise career like Watson. “Yeah, I’m going to get a guy like that. No doubt.”
It doesn’t matter if they are in the draft, free agency or trade, the quarterbacks of the franchise rarely fall into the lap of any team. By no means do I want to convey that I recommend for the Broncos to be desperate or reckless, but if Denver has identified Watson as his type, there is no price in the world.
Follow Luke on Twitter @LukePattersonLP and @MileHighHuddle.