OT: Champ Bailey Cut by Broncos - Should Lions or Browns get him on 1-year deal?
One of my favorite corners ever was released by the Denver Broncos in a salary-cap move.
No way he is worth the $10 million he would have cost the Broncos, but I could see the Lions or Browns taking a chance on the 36-year old on a 1-year deal. Specifically, signing him might lessen the potential need to look at CB with the 10th pick for the Lions.
Thoughts?
The Browns objective is to see how far under the cap we can go. Signing players, especially good players, simply does not fit into that objective.
Them lawyers defending Pilot/Flying J don't come cheap.
Eventually they need to get a younger CB anyway. They can't live off one-year contracts forever. To me, with all his injuries, he doesn't seem worth the risk as I don't believe the reward is there and I'm not sure he necessarily fixes any of the problems and only hopefully bandaids them temporarily (and that's hope, due to his own injuries). Lions I think need to get someone on a multi-year deal and get some sort of continuity on the back end.
Seems like a team that is closer to taking the step to the Super Bowl could make more use of Bailey and therefore value a 1-year type deal more than the Lions would. A team that has a player that can step in and play some weeks without everything going to hell, is still developing, but having the likes of Bailey come playoff time is what they're looking for.
Of course, it all depends on what the price tag ends up being. If the price is right, then sure. But I bet someone overpays for him in hopes of making that jump.
makes alot of sense thanks SC.
I would envision Champ's role to stabilize a relatively young backfield and have leadership in the back-end. If they were to bring him in, I would assume they would pick a WR with the 10-spot and likely CB is priority for Pick #2. They would still get a young guy for cheap, who would have a year to acclimate to the NFL with Houston and Bailey out there.
The Lions do think they are close to making that leap, despite hiring maybe the worst coach in the league. I could totally see Mayhew and Lewand sitting down and saying "If only we had a shut down corner like Champ Bailey, we could really take the next step towards a title"
Keep in mind I do not think he is a shut down corner, and he would get absolutely abused by the top 2 receivers on any team in the NFC North save maybe Minnesota. The Lions though, they might think he is, because again, Lions gonna Lions.
He probably wants to win a Super Bowl. That automatically rules out the Browns and Lions.
If it is up to me, I would rather get a young CB in the draft and develop that player because I think the Lions will get more mileage in the long term out of that scenario than signing a veteran corner to a 1-year deal. The Lions would hopefully be a little more invested in building the team and adding depth at positions rather than temporary fixes which might delay progress, which I fear is what a 1-year deal like that would do.
I'd like to see the browns pick him up and then draft a cb in round 2 or 3 that might take a year or two before he's ready to start. However, I really don't think that will happen. Good luck to him, I hope he's able to get a super bowl ring like Charles Woodson did.
At this point in his career I think he needs to move to safety. But still, yes, I'd love to see the Lions pick him up.
If I were the Lions I'd give him a call. The Lions have a bunch of young corners who may end up being pretty decent players. Bailey is a future HOF who could maybe help these youngsters grow into something special.
Talent wise the Lions are as close to winning it all as anyone in the league. However they'll fuck it up. They always do.
I love Champ -- he's been a great player for a long time, but he simply doesn't have it any more. Teams learned in 2012 that they could pick on him, and last year -- ugh. I hope after testing the waters he returns to the Broncos on a one-year deal so he can get a ring, because you need a 4th cornerback, but he shouldn't be a starter, or even a nickelback, at this point.
in the Super Bowl where Doug Baldwin completely abused Bailey on an out-and-up that wasnt even all that smooth. Bailey's had a great career, but he's not even close to what he was.
I'd only take him if he had a contract with a relatively low salary and a lot of incentives. Champ, as good as he was, is 35 and has played for 14 years in the NFL. He has had to have lost at least one step. Time has a way of taking its toll.
Champ Bailey minus a step or two >>>>> Any CB that Lions have had recently with all their steps intact.
That said, a one or maybe two year contract guy like Champ is not going to cut it. That money would be better suited to go towards a younger but still proven cover man on one side with a cheaper, unproven guy with tons of potential on the other (2nd or 3rd rounder). Champ would be nice, but he's not the answer to our db woes. Finnegan fits the Lions football "bad boys" style of play, but is trouble/a fine waiting to happen and won't be cheap. I'd personally like to see the Lions go after Sam Shields if he decides to test out the free agent market....
If either the Lions or Browns sign him, he'll need to change his first name.
As a Broncos fan, he was once awesome. Now, he's older, slower, and not as physical. He was hurt all of last year year only appearing in a handful of games and got torched in the SB. So I'd pass. I think it's time for him to retire. He's made a lot of money. Go live life to the fullest Champ!
I just read he has earned over 100 million in his career. Wow. Well done Champ.
No, absolutely not for the Lions. The Browns can sign 11 Champ Baileys if they want though.
As a Browns fan, only way i see him with us is if we wiffed on all the other free agents and picks.
Make his a FS, like Rod Woodson was late in his career), and we have our replacement for Louis Delmas for a year. Draft a FS type to learn under him, and he can help teach the young CBs.
Win-Win
Lions should trade down to lower half of 1st round where Denard will still be available.
Darqueze Dennard.
I can't spell his first or last name... : (
He will probably sign in Atlanta to go back to his home state.
the Lions should pass on him so that he can sign with the Patriots.
It's time to hang up those cleats.
Rather than spin cycling everything that's being said...(you know...blah blah blah...Lions should look into Bailey, would be good influence in DBfield...need talented bodies back there...blah blah)...I think I'm just going to post a picture of a cat.
(How I post on mgoblog when I'm feeling lazy.)
Screw the Lions