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IDP Spotlight - DB Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos

Culcasi's Thoughts

This is a scary addition to a team which finished last year ranked fourth in overall defense, sixth against the pass. Regarded by most as the top overall cornerback in the league, and one of the few true shutdown corners, Bailey's presence should have a drastic affect on the Broncos entire defense. His man coverage ability, which the Broncos have vowed to use more of with Bailey in town, will allow their safeties to cheat towards the line, blitzing often and generally causing havoc. An iron-man, Champ Bailey hasn't missed a game during his five year career, making the Pro Bowl during the last four seasons. He's not tested as much as you'd like from a fantasy perspective, posting just eight interceptions over the last three seasons, but he's retained value by averaging 59 solo tackles and 16 passes defended throughout his career. A bigger fantasy impact may come from whichever teammate wins the starting job across from Bailey (Lenny Walls/Kelly Herndon), now thrust into the spotlight as the guy who will be picked on as QBs attempt to avoid Bailey (from my Offseason player Movement report).

When the Broncos gave up on Deltha O'Neal last year, trying to move him to wide receiver, they once again exposed their inability to draft cornerbacks (O'Neal, 1st round 2000. Willie Middlebrooks, 1st round 2001). Instead of taking another chance in this years draft, they decided to look within the league for help (trades/free-agents). Champ Bailey had been designated the franchise player in Washington and was rumored to be on the trading block. Match made in heaven? It cost the Broncos heavily, losing Clinton Portis and his 3000+ rushing yards in two NFL seasons, but with Mike Shanahan's belief in plug & play RB success, it ended up being a no-brainer (especially with Washington also throwing in a second round pick). Recently turning 26, Denver can now forget about protecting Bailey's side of the field for next half-dozen or so years.

Positives

  • Champ Bailey is the best all-around cornerback in the league. Smart with size, speed, great athleticism and swivel hips. Incredible coverage skills and ability to break on the ball.


  • Great work ethic both on and off the field


  • Lines up against the top receiver and forces the opposition to change their gameplan


Negatives

  • Bailey is a decent tackler but he's not known for his toughness as a hitter.


  • He suffered some mental lapses last year and gave up more plays than usual, many of which became Sportscenter highlights. His dominance came into question.


  • Seven years, $63 million with an $18 million signing bonus. Now that he has the fat contract, will he continue to prepare himself on a weekly basis? Combine that with a new team/new scheme, and Bailey could be set up to disappoint.


Final Thoughts

Like strongside linebackers and defensive tackles, the value of shutdown cornerbacks is realized much more by their NFL teams than their fantasy owners. Champ Bailey has maintained some fantasy value in his ability to post 60+ solo tackles (unlike Chris McAlister), but his 8 sacks/picks over the last three seasons leaves him as a non-factor in most leagues. He won't be tested in Denver, not with Lenny Walls/Kelly Herndon lining up on the other side, but he'll make the Pro Bowl and improve a Broncos defense that recorded a league low nine interceptions last year. He retains more value in leagues that split defensive backs, but he'll likely be drafted too high either way.


Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread:

To view the entire thread, click here: DB Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos

grady:
"Shut down corners are rarely good fantasy performers. Really nothing more to say than that."


Projections

Source
Solo
Asst
Sacks
INT
PD
FF
FR
FntPts
Aaron Rudnicki
60
6
0.0
4
16
1
1
99.0
Shawn Culcasi
63
4
0.0
2
14
0
2
91.0
Spotlight Consensus
55
5
0.0
2
14
0
0
79.5

IDP Scoring System
1 pt per Solo Tackle
0.5 pt per Assisted Tackle
3 pts per Sack
4 pts per Interception
1 pt per Pass Defensed
2 pts per Forced Fumble
2 pts per Fumble Recovery

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