Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has made a living intercepting NFL quarterbacks.
Since his rookie season in 1999, he has tallied 50 interceptions, but one quarterback in particular has eluded him — new teammate Peyton Manning. Well, at least since their college days as SEC rivals.
Though it happened more than a decade ago, Bailey is still proud of a moment most defenders only dream of — snaring a pass thrown by Manning.
“I think he tried to throw the ball away, and I went up and got it,” Bailey smiled. “I don’t think he ever expected me to go that high to get it.”
Manning recalls that day as well.
“I remember how talented he was, and you just knew he was going to be a good player,” Manning said of Bailey as a true freshman for the Bulldogs. “Champ has never intercepted me in the NFL, but I don’t think I’ve ever thrown a touchdown on him either, so it’s a pretty good battle. He got me in college one time on an interception, so I’m glad we’re on the same team.”
The competition pitting Bailey and the rest of the secondary against Manning, a former Tennessee Volunteer, is still alive and well. The good news for Broncos fans is that with both players on the same team, everybody wins.
“(It’s a) great challenge going against our defense,” Manning said. “We’re going to win some battles, they’re going to win some battles, but it’s making the Broncos better, and I know it’s really good for our receivers and for our timing.”
Manning said he has enjoyed joining forces with a player who has been challenging him for more than a decade.
“He’s the best corner I’ve played against in my career, and he’s been unbelievably consistent,” Manning said. “You always knew where Champ was. If you couldn’t set your feet into it, it wasn’t worth throwing. If you threw behind him, he was going to make you pay.”
Manning has been impressed with what he’s seen from Bailey so far during training camp, pointing specifically at the 11-time Pro Bowler’s work ethic and influence on his younger teammates.
And he’s still making plays that put him, in Manning’s opinion, in elite company.
“He’s got some of those rare skills that those special corners have,” Manning said. “Deion (Sanders), Rod Woodson, they have ‘it’ when it comes to being a cover corner, but his work ethic is what keeps him at the top every year.”
“I’m glad to be on his team.”
NEWfie: Got your BBBP.
Champ is great but it’s time for him to pass the torch to Mr. Miller as the leader of the defense.
MileHighCrush1:
Why do you say that?
Good question Cam!
When Von returns an INT in the playoffs 90+ yards (or a fumble)… Then we can talk about torch passing.
For now, let’s just enjoy the pressure 5 8 can bring forcing the QB to throw early, so Champ can add to that career INT total!
Crazy to hear Manning has never thrown a TD on Champ…
sndvl-
I guess that could be a good question. Champ leads by example. Is he a loud ‘Pump the D’ Kind of guy? Who has the torch now? I’m talking about pre-game chants, fire the D up pre game and all of that! Dawk was the master at that!
@MileHughCrush1
I must disagree with you. Mr. Miller is a strong team mate! A future hall of famer and sure to go to many Pro Bowls!! Von does not meet the requirements to have any touch handed to him!! Champ is hungry for a SB RING. And shows leadership skills different then Dawkins did! Champ has earned his place to be Captain of the defense. (The players will vote on that) before the season opener. Dawkins will be missed; he could work up the players in a ping pong game!! But with our normal captain DJ having errr problems and out. I cannot think of a better captain then Champ!
Just saying.
ILMSDB
FTR
My favorite play of the day, a Jeremiah Johnson tip at the goal line on a punt that falls at the 2 yard line. A real nice leap too.
Matthew Willis looks brilliant and Decker was awesome to see and caught everything. Syd`Qaun and M Willis looked good at punt return.
I was near the crazy`s just like being at the south stands back at old Mile High. Not a dole moment whatsoever, a crowd of about 20 kids in their late teens, was chanting every players name in unison for about 15 to 20 chants, then went on to the next players name chosen. They were really nuts, fun stuff. I had a major blast.
FTR-
Well said. Bronco Bro, I’ll be at the Broncos/Raiders game on Sept 30. I will be yelling FTR!
Peyton Freak’n Manning at the helm! Can’t wait!
Rock on Bronc on!
The closest I came to Peyton was about 20 feet standing for awhile with his team mates. He was very close. At one point a gave his water bottle to some young kids in the crowd. The rest of the crowd went nuts, just by that one act. That was about 60 feet from me and the people near me screamed for him to come over here and do the same thing. It was a total blast!
Cam
You have a good point!! Camp is not to going to do the pump you up chant, Game day huddle! With DJ there he would be first choice. But can he do that suspended? So here is a good question out to Broncos Country who do you think with Dawk gone and DJ the same. Who will lead the pregame huddle?
FTR
Sounds like you had a blast, Stand! I heard that Peyton and DMT had a heyday today!
I believe JJ RB is going to have a very productive year this year. I still like him. He lit it up today.
They did, Cam! After a long bomb to Bay Bay for a TD by Peyton, he ran over to DT and slapped him on the back, a good job kind of gesture. Really neat to see up close.
Broncos fans are the best fans in the world!! It was proven today!!
Good Stuff!!!!! I’m out! Go Broncos!
And Yes!! USA USA USA USA!!! Our kids are making us proud!
Go Broncos and USA TEAM!
Cam
You rock that place. And always remember the fadiers don’t serve!! I myself will have to go to a sports bar decking out in my Broncos were!! Lost my NFL ticket due to (cost). So I will end up spending $ 40 at the bar, have to deal with all the faders fans. Now times that by 10 games I cannot view. That’s $ 400.00 and a chance to go to jail. Tried to explain this to my wife. But I am working on it!!!! LOL@FTR
ILMSDB!!
Peace Out.
FTR
I think DTV has NFL ticket down to 250
And yes! I’m sure my voice box will be worn out! We are about six seats from the top on the 45 yard line on the east side. Looks steep as hell. I may need to keep a booz limit! LOL!
LMAO!!
The first preseason game against the Bears is one week away. Its coming up fast!!
I would hate to cause an Orange and Blue avalanche!
Yeah, and fall and tumble on the silver and black evil empire. HaHaHaHaHa!!
THE FORCE IS WITH US!!
Well, I`ll see yall in the morning. I`m off tomorrow, thank God.
Good to hear the 1st hand report Strand!!!
Can’t wait to see who makes the cut! -brinG On DA bEaRs!!! -
The torch can be passed to Von Miller when Champ is done being a Bronco. He has stuck with us through the good, bad, and ugly, even when he could’ve gone on to a different team easily last year, and NO ONE deserves to be the top leader of the whole team more than Champ Bailey.
Strand, I am so Glas you got to go. Über jealous, but awesome!!!!!! Recording breaking crowd again today. It must just be like nothing we’ve seen?
Peyton Manning continues to crack me up and I love how much he enjoys playing against Champ. Champ got that one INT against him in college, but hasn’t gotten one since… Still, to hold Peyton Off of a TD pass for all these years, that’s nuts. Way to go, Champ!!
I love this team! It’s crazy good!!!
FTR: I got my NFL Game Day for $199 paid in full when I purchased i plus $20.00 off my regular Directv bill for 6 months. So actual cost to me was $139.00. If you have Directv, call them and talk to them about getting a better price than the $199. It’s very likely that they’ll be willing to cut you a deal, especially thisa close to the starrt of the season. If you don’t have Dirtectv you’re out of luck.
Champ leads the team with his outstanding work ethic as a vet and his play on the field. To me, that’s much more important than just being a cheerleader before the game starts. He commands respect from his peers and that in itself motivates the others to bring their A game. Until he retires, he’s unquestionably the captain of the D, and this team.
Von will evolve into the captain as time passes. And like Champ, I don’t think he’ll lead vocally, but with his work ethic and performance………..he just doesn’t strike me as a Rah Rah type guy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…….Id always rather have a guy that performs than a guy who just blows hot air.
OSS……….this is kod, so I think I already made that same BBBP under that handle…………can’t seem to log into the blog from my work computer using killerkod.
I’m lucky, my digital cable providor has a sweet package that includes both NFL Sunday Ticket and NHL Centre Ice for only $30/month. Now that’s a steal! And both in HD.
DirecTV has NFL Sunday Ticket down to $200 this year!
It’s free for new customers who sign up for DirecTV!
Freak,
i beleive the catch is thats without the red zone. Not sure. I have had it for a few years so it automatically renews. Its worth it for being out here in so cal. Last year we saw every broncos game.