After a three game absence, it looks like the Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback is set to make his return.
Champ Bailey has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. His progress has been steady and deliberate as he made the trips to both Tennessee and Green Bay over the last two weeks, but did not play in the contests.
However, he participated fully in practice Wednesday for the first time since he injured his hamstring in the Week 1 game against the Oakland Raiders, and Head Coach John Fox sounded optimistic that Bailey will be on the field when the Broncos take on the Chargers in a divisional matchup this week at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
“Anytime you’ve got a 10-time Pro Bowler that’s on the shelf or not on the buffet, it’s good to have him back,” Fox said. “To have (him) back in the lineup obviously makes the coach smile a little bit. He’ll definitely help us in the pass defense area.”
While the team has embraced Fox’s “next-man up” mentality, the players are happy to see the return of a teammate that can anchor the defense.
“You can’t really explain it,” defensive lineman Robert Ayers said. “He’s a great player, a great leader — he leads by example. He’s one of those guys that makes very few mistakes. He’s a great guy to have out there. It means a lot to us, and having everybody back means a lot.”
INJURY REPORT
Here is Denver’s injury report for Wednesday’s practice.
Demaryius Thomas (finger), Julius Thomas (ankle), Eddie Royal (groin), Jonathan Wilhite (illness), Daniel Fells (knee) and Brian Dawkins (ankle) did not practice. Champ Bailey (hamstring), Marcus Thomas (groin) and Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) participated fully in practice.
For San Diego: Luis Castillo (tibia), Jacques Cesaire (knee), Antonio Gates (foot), Nick Hardwick (neck) and Vincent Jackson (hamstring) did not practice. Quentin Jammer (hamstring) participated in full.
Below are some pictures from Wednesday’s practice.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Champ Bailey, Week 5
I can’t stand Moreno.
So when can we expect Thomas in the lineup again?
Glad to have the champ back out there to solidify our secondary again! Maybe we can come up with a few stops now!!
Im on the McGahee bandwagon. Loved him coming out of college. Wished we would of gone after him then. He’s back with Studesville , who was his RB coach in Buffalo when he started.
Im hoping that this will be the last game we see Snortin’ Orton out there making feeble attempts to lead the team. He just plays not to lose the game. We NEED a QB that “PLAYS TO WIN”. Who knows. Maybe this all part of the master plan by EFX to get that #1 pick and go get LUCK. I hope that that is why we are still watching this loserlead our team!
BLEEDING ORANGE & BLUE TILL I DIE
I Love Me Some Champ Led Denver Broncos!
ILMSCLDB!!! Lol
Four reasons Tebow isn’t starting
1) the escalators
2) he’s not good enough
3) he’s not in the future plans
4) Fox doesn’t want to be told what to do
Like Willis M said “it is what it is, time to get over it”
I still don’t think we have a chance to win Sunday. Champ being back makes me feel a little better.
With that said-
Denver- 30
San Diego-28
Brian Dawkins needs to start practicing. Fresh legs just aint workin! He got burnt mulitiple times last sunday! hopefully champ can make a big difference! If we go in to the by week 2-3 we will be just fine for the season! i know we can make a comeback after the bye week. Demarius will be back hopefully, they are going to start Tebow, and the Defense will be fortified! you watch!
Broncos 24!
Chargers 17!
Repost from last blog. I worked hard on it and then 10min after I posted it a new blog came up haha. So here it is again:
I seriously doubt that anyone is a Orton fantatic. More less, they just don’t understand how starting Quinn or Tebow would be any better than our current situation. In their eyes, they see Orton as the most knowledgeable QB working the system that our offense has spent all off season working on. They don’t see how bringing in Quinn or the struggling Tebow makes anything better. What they see is that Orton is at least quality back up talent wise, and they feel that as long as the D and the rest of the offense play well that he is good enough to help us be competitive. Which is a decent point of view with logic and thought put behind it.
What they don’t see, and what they refuse to see is the Tebow/bench Orton side of this debate.
Tebow fans (such as myself) see a QB with an upside. He has leadership, mobility, and he makes the game exciting. His attitude and work ethic are incredible. And he is the ultimate competitor. No Tebow fan is ignorant enough to believe that he is an amazing QB at this current time. No one is ignorant enough to believe that he has a better grasp of the offense than Orton. What they see is a player that will lay everything out on the line for his teammates, a player who will excite his teammates, and a player who has the work ethic and upside to maybe become a great QB. And they feel that the excitement Tebow brings rubs off on the rest of the team. The last 3 games last season were so completely different with Tebow under center. The fight in the team, the intensity, and the overall attitude were significantly better.
Is there a chance Tebow starts and gets worse week after week? Of course there is. There is also the chance he improves week after week. The problem is that we will never know until he gets a shot. Most of us Tebow fans are scared he will never get that shot. I am not convinced that Tebow is part of the future plans. And I want him to at least have a chance to show what he can do.
I understand that Orton is technically the best QB on the roster and the best chance to win because he knows the system more than Quinn or Tebow. But the guy is playing just good enough to get beat. I just feel that we need to change it up. Our defense is making strides and that excites me. Yes we got blown out Sunday, but it was the Packers. Miller, Moore, having Doom back, Champ, Wilhite. It excites me. It would just be nice to have a QB that instills that kind of excitement into the offense. I do believe it would make a difference in our season.
But to each his own. Personally the whole debate is exhausting. It is great, however, to see the amount of people (myself included) that get emotionally invested on this blog. It shows that ALL of us care and love the Denver Broncos. At the end of the day we are all on the same team. We are just on different sides of the line of scrimmage
Anyways. That is my take on it. Writing it actually calmed me down a lot, because I forced myself to sit down and understand the Orton side of it. And it does make sense. I still want Orton out, but I can live with the situation we have because it is about the team. The progress I have seen in Miller is exciting, and McGahee has been impressing me. Decker is a beast. Moore is gonna be a darn good safety. Lots of exciting things that I have been overlooking due to my tunnel vision on the QQ.
Looking forward to seeing if Von Doom can plant Rivers into the ground. And Rivers has tossed up 6 picks this season so perhaps he is ready to throw another one to Champ or Moore.
Still think it will be a struggle, and until our team shows me they can come from behind and win, I don’t like our chances. We will make it a game like KC did.
Chargers – 30
Broncos – 24
Talk about beating a dead horse. LOL Trust the coach, he’s always doing what he thinks is best for the Broncos. We’ve got a chance to beat the Chargers this weekend. Rivers has been getting sacked pretty regular and we have the dynamic duo rushing the QB. They may still have the injury bug come sunday and our O line gets better every week. Champ is back in the lineup, the offense played better last week dispite force errors in a tough situation called the Green Bay Packers. Willis is running like he’s trying to prove something. DJ the tackling machine is back at linebacker. Let’s not forget the guys got a pretty bad taste in their mouth they want to take out on the Chargers. Go Broncos!
Lol quite honestly imready he could be doing the best for the Broncos but not best for the team … as far as if it is because of money … but I agree … dead horse … TT will get in soon enough. I can wait. And I got my I told you so shirt dry cleaned and pressed lol
Glad Champ is back … I believe I already predicted us winning like 23-13 and thats because I knew champ would be back. He makes a difference … in coverage and when it comes to tackling … the mans ankle tackles or lock. With dumervil commanding attention and Miller getting the isolation … we gonna have pressure … heck we had pressure on Rodgers and they got one of the best Olines. I believe we can win … not because of Boring Orton but because the D just got a boost.
Also gonna predict 3 sacks Doom, 2 Sacks VM
Later days, TRB
My prediction is Den 23 SD 30
TRB has good reason in believing that we can win. With the Dynamic Duo bringing the pressure, Champ back with his lock jaw ankle tackles, along with DJ hopefully having a great day — we could very well be in this one. The things that i’m looking for is our O-line continuing to gel, creating good running lanes, creating a good pocket, and keeping the holding penalty’s to a minimum. I also am looking for Fox to keep his foot on the pedal and going all out — Taking those deep passing chances when available. With this embarrassing loss this last sunday hovering over us like a dark cloud, I hope the coaches and players have the taste for redemption.
-Royalty
When I look at the photos, it now makes me look forward to OC’s —Letterman type humor. I hope you keep that going OC.
-Royalty
Defense steps it up, less mistakes and Denver wins 24 to 20
Can’t wait to see Champ back on the field.
Just cause we got owned by the SB champs doesn’t mean our defense will be like that all the rest of the season. I believe we’ll snap out of that rut for the SD game. Will be a tough challenge like always but we can get this win. That game was completely lopsided.
As for this next game I see us stealing the win in our house,
Denver 24 – Chargettes 17
With faith…
GO BRONCOS 2011!!!!
the only thing i’m saying is that if broncos lose or ton is out, there’s no chance of him being the qb after a 1-4 record with the bye week coming and tebow getting honored the next game on miami
also only way we are wining is if chargers don’t score more than 24 points
I have a good feeling about this charger game.a lot has been said about who should start at qb all I can say is the broncos moved the ball pretty good against a good defense yes Orton had the picks but also made some nice throws. They also ran the ball well. I seen a lot of improvement overall. Our young defense got schooled by a really good qb but that will only make them get better as well. I look for a big win against the chargers 27-17
Glad Champ is back….it’s about time,we have missed him terribly in our secondary,we will get a big boost with him back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope M.Thomas starts,but Vickerson and Bunkley are doing great stuffing the run,even McBean has been doing good(didn’t think I’d ever say that)!!
Doom and Miller will give crybaby Rivers fits!
We definitely need to hit the WRs at the LOS,can’t just let them run free and be wide open like they did at GB,that was the poorist excuse of bump and run coverage I have ever seen!!!
With Champ,Doom,and M.Thomas back I’m predicting:
Broncos 27
Chargers 24
Hopefully Gates and V.Jackson are out for the Deadbolts!!!
Broncos – 24
Chargers – 17
My plan is to completely ignore the QB position during this game. As far as I’m concerned, the ball will leave the center’s hands, float in midair for a moment, and either loft itself to someone (preferably a Bronco), or McGahee will grab it and run. Therefore, with the QB out of the picture I see a great outing. I’m also looking forward to Matthews getting clobbered by Mays. I still think that man’s a beast! Semper Broncos!!
BTW….glad that squirmy little Sproles is GONE!!!!!!
Amen to that, BFE!
anyone else sick of moreno’s injuries and lack of performance and #88?? im not even going to use his name… whats going on?
how do we fix this defense? Champ is back but the secondary is aweful…
heres the thing. offense is still killing itself by turning the ball over. what are we like -15 by now? We could and should be scoring 10 more a game than we are. Orton please try and stop turning the ball over. I mean I know there are alot of factors that go into INTS and things of that sort but you cant deny youve turned the ball over alot already and some of that has cost us.
I still maintain we should be 3-1 or at least a hopeful 2-2
yeah the offense isnt where it should be but we can NOT force any turnovers! every year, year after year we fail to get picks!! we have NONE!!! actually we have one but it was a cheap on off Rodgers. where are the playmakers….
but even thought we played poorly, we could of should of beaten titans… and could of gotten the raiders…. (should of…first game at home monday night to rivals…cant lose that)
well the more pressure you get the mor INTS your D will get. look at all the teams that have picks every year they can generate tons of pressure. hopefully our D starts to click like that but I still think we really need a DT to help FORCE more turnovers. We seem to be doing well in the fumble recoveries though
thats what iv been saying the last few years too…when we didnt have pressure, but even when dumervil got to the QB every play we still gave up soooo much and no INTS,
we are getting fumbles but i feel fumbles are more luck than skill but idk
this year i know dooms is hurt but vons getting there, we are getting torn up by everyone… rodgers hassleback and even dalton
i really think if Miami still wants orton that we should make it for some defensive players… :/
Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve… These are word’s I absolutely hate, detest, abhor! lol Those words are worse than cussing in my book. Seriously, I never allow anyone who steps into my studio —or any studio I work in, to use those words IDGAF associates, employees down to interns are never allowed to use those words. If something is done wrong, right it and keep it moving.
-Royalty
lol sorry pet-peeve
oh yeah trust me i hate(abhor detest) those words too haha but let me use it again, we could of easily lost ALL four…
something SHOULD be fixed.
they better not be partying, better be hittin the books watching film ANYTHING!!
BFE1979, you are like Will Muschamp at Florida. The word that spins him up is “potential”, which to him means you haven’t done anything yet! He says he hates the word because it is used as an excuse for not accomplishing. I guess we all have our little pet peeves.
My prediction is
Chargers 28
BRONCOS 30
If we win the turnover battle then we’ll win 31-27. If we lose the turnover battle, SD wins 38-17.
LOgic say SD wins Sunday. My Orangfe and Blue heart says the Broncos with Champ back and Doom a week better.
My heart wi=ns: Broncos 23-21.
I believe it will be close. Just think Orton does not know how to win close games. Broncos 20 – 23 Chargers.
The current QQ has stirred up a lot of emotions and the KO vs TT factions are certainly having an interesting but totally futile debate. I’m sure that most of the bloggers think this is the most rabid and hostile the Bronco fans have ever been. Trust this oldtimer, not even close!
At number 2 all time state of hostility was the Steve Tensai era. Who, you newbies say. The Broncos traded TWO first rounder picks and a future HOF, Willie Brown for the Riders rookie QB Steve Tensi. Steve had incredible potential with one of the strongest arms ever in pro football (More on that later.). Obviously, Steve stunk. I’m of the camp that feels no all of it was his fault as the OL was totally lacking in talent. THe final blow was, according to rumors, that he threw out his arm before the regular season started by thrown the ball more than a time or two 100 yards. Really, 100 yards!
But the number one time of hostility was after the Broncos tied the Dolphins and Lou Saban’s “comment of infamy” was, “Well, half a loaf is better than none.”. If I had all the loaes of bread the fans threw at him I could feed all the hungry people in the world. Lou was quickly fired and headed off to Buffalo. How devoted to Saban were the Bronco players? Flloyd Little demanded that he be traded to Buffalo because of how much he was devoted to him. Fortunately the new HC, John Ralston I believe, was able to convince Flloyd that he was needed here.
So, when I hear all the current ranting and raving, I just have to chuckle and remember “Half a loaf” had only one side with a level of hatred that is several levels above the current level. However, the fans did get their wish. I’m a little surprised that Mike Rice has never mentioned either of these times. MIke???
Sorry to hear the lost of your lil. brother Orlando, hope to see you on sunday if not best wishes to you and your family.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d822dbcc3/article/broncos-rookie-tackle-franklin-excused-after-death-of-brother
Thanks for the history lesson oldsouth………..something I didn’t know. I will admit that there’s a lot about the history of this organization that I don’t know a lot about. I became a fan in the late 80s. My wife did give me a DVD that goes through the history of the organization and I found that very enlightening.
Always nice to learn something new about your favorite team.
Awesome news that Champ is back!
I don’t think we’ll see much of Demaryius Thomas this season or for seasons to come because he can’t stay healthy, same with Moreno. They can’t stay healthy enough to make an impact. They way Decker is performing he is showing that he was a better draft pick. Also I don’t know the extent of his finger injury but I’ve had a borken finger, hurts like heck but eventually you have to suck it up and deal with it. I know he’s WR and everything he does is with is hands, but imo you can’t wait until there is no pain you have to suck it up. I said I don’t know the extent of his injury so it is obviously healing when he comes back he’ll probably injur his hammy or something.
Sorry I said I was going to start looking at the positives…I hope all of our injured guys make it back soon and that’s the truth. We need all our guys healthy.
hey brian…….
hard to see the positives when they’re marred by so many negatives……just human nature. I’ve been trying to do that as well and I’m finding it very difficult.
maybe moreno will be able to stay on his stationary bike this week………….imagine what sort of accident he’d have if it were actually moving! LOL
Could you imagine the buzz if he would’ve actually come up lame from that?
unfortunately, moreno comes up lame from everything he does. haha
Champ is back but loser VILE Kyle is still in. NO hopes here.
I miss Bay!
Denver 23
Chargers 21
My condolences to Orlando Franklin and his family,
with the death of his younger brother…
when is bay back anyways?
Best wishes and deepest condolences to the Franklin Family! As much as many of us sometimes forget, compared to a loss like this, football pales to insignificance!