tr1 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3009826 Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, warming up for practice Wednesday, hasn t missed a regular-season game in his NFL career, which began in 1999 with the Redskins. The former Georgia star has made 96 consecutive starts. ( There was no exchange of pleasantries, no need for small talk. There wasn't even time to present the question. There was merely the mention that Champ Bailey was back at cornerback for the Broncos and before another word was uttered, John Lynch beamed from ear to ear. "It brings a smile to my face," Lynch, a Denver safety, said of Bailey's return. "Anytime you've got a guy like him who's at the top of his profession, you have to have him on the field." The Broncos start their season Sunday against the Dolphins in Miami, and Bailey will be there, ready or not. Considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Bailey gladly will throw two personal playing streaks into a collision Sunday. The most significant is the 96 consecutive regular-season games Bailey has started in his 96-game NFL career. "It means a lot," Bailey said. "It means I'm accountable." Given his durability, Bailey's streak of four missed preseason games with a strained hamstring raised concerns. Physically, Bailey is healed and has been running at full speed this week in practice. The concern is whether all that downtime might affect his timing as he covers the likes of Dolphins wide receivers Chris Chambers and Marty Booker. "It could be a problem if you're not practicing, but he's been practicing," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Bailey. "The only adjustment I have to make is being in game shape," Bailey said. "When you take this time off, you lose a little of that game-time conditioning." In Bailey's absence, the Broncos gave extended playing time to rookie cornerbacks Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth. The kids played so well, Shanahan no longer cringes should Bailey or his other starter, Lenny Walls, have to sit out a play or two. Just the same, there would have been considerable concern in Broncoland had the season started Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallen5862 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 It will be interesting to see how he does without any preseason playing time. It would sem like it might take awhile to knock off the rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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