Should the Falcons pursue Georgia legend Champ Bailey?
These two former UGA superstars, Herschel Walker and Buck Belue, probably wouldn't mind Champ Bailey landing with the Falcons. Belue (r) interviewing his Walker recently at the Super Bowl in Dallas. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)
It almost makes too much sense.
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If he wants to compete for a championship, the Falcons would figure to be a natural landing spot.
Josina "Jo Jo" Anderson, Fox 31 Sports in Denver.
As Josina Anderson of Denver’s Fox affiliate reported, Bailey has put his home up for sale. (You can follow Anderson on twitter: @JosinaAnderson.
Here’s her tweet: “Full Champ Bailey quote: “I am putting my Littleton, (CO) house up for sale. It will be officially listed within the next few days.”#Broncos”
Jeff Legwold had the news confirmed by Bailey’s agent Jack Reale.
The Falcons will have a really good scouting report on Bailey. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has connections inside the organization. Also, former Falcons executive Brian Xanders is Denver’s general manager.
As the Falcons found out in the playoffs against Green Bay, you can never have enough cornerbacks.
Bailey, who has played in 10 Pro Bowls, would certainly improve the Falcons’ pass defense. It’s reasonable to conclude that they can find a spot on the roster for Bailey, who has 48 career interceptions.
The Falcons could use Bailey the same way that Green Bay has used Charles Woodson over the last few years. Move him around. Let him play outside some. Inside on the slot and send him on blitzes.
Bailey certainly has some lessons to share with Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks.
Giants running back DJ Ware, bottom, fumbles while being tackled by Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. (David Zalubowski/Associated Press)
Bailey has been with the Broncos since 2004 after starting out his career with the Washington Redskins.
However, his price tag might be a too costly for the Falcons.
Bailey turns 33 in June. The two sides were close to a four-year, $40 million extension before the Broncos pulled the offer late in the season.
Bailey just finished a seven-year, $63 million contract.
Should the Falcons drop all of their free agency cash on a 33-year-old cornerback?
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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157 comments Add your comment
PoopingonHaters
February 17th, 2011
9:05 am
On offense, I admit we need another WR and a faster, more agile RB. Turner is the kind of back that you’d love to have at the goal line. But as far as shake and bake, and get from point A to point B…FAST, he isn’t that guy. He runs straight ahead and hits one hole. If the hole isn’t there, he doesn’t make one. He goes down. Chris Johnson, Jamal Charles, etc. Those guys are elusive and can run fast. You can’t bring them down easily because they move. Turner has one way to run. I admit he runs hard, but he isn’t that fast and his momentum can be stopped pretty easily.
Mikefalcon63
February 17th, 2011
9:05 am
The falcons need to do a full assessment on every position. My opinion is we obviously have about 3 cornerbacks on the roster who do not belong. Cut them! We held on to a dud in Chris Houston for far too long b/c he was a draft pick. Sooner or later you have to cut ties and move on. Don’t even get me started with Jamaal Anderson.
Chris Owens proved to be a liability when he was needed most. If you are going to drop a turf when we need you to step up, then you are NOT a championship team corner.
Brian Williams seems to get hurt when we need him most. Love the guy but need guys who can stay healthy if we are going to make a championship run.
Franks could not crack the line up thus past season… Either the coaches have no clue or he is worse than the 2 guys above. On the DE side of things, Lawrence Sidbury is in the same boat. He could not beat Jamaal Anderson or Chauncey Davis for playing time.
Cut our losses… Draft guys who are ready to play. And sign a few free agents to fill the gaps. In short, you either sign Bailey or another impact DE, but cut some dead weight!
bjohnDawg
February 17th, 2011
9:07 am
Plain and simple…you need more of a pass rush than Abraham. A strong pass rush will make for a much stronger linebacker and db corp. Less time in the pocket to throw makes the rest of the defense better.
the improvements need to be both sides of the line, offensive and defensive. Do that and this club will improve. I would only bring in Champ( great player) after the main needs have been solved, if he is looking to play for less money and go after a championship.
coachx
February 17th, 2011
9:07 am
Can we have our cake and eat it too ?
Meaning sign a DE and a CB ? Then draft a WR and speed back.
DE has to be the #1 priority with CB and WR coming next.
ddawgdavis
February 17th, 2011
9:08 am
Fantasy football: Yes sign him, perfect piece to the secondary.
Reality: Tough sign. We already spent millions on Dunta and it’s a hard sell to drop more millions on the same position.
The main focus of the Defense should be DE because we have no pass rush. That can be solved with a JJ Watt or Cameron Jordan/Heyward in the draft. Once that is answered and we sign Lofton to an extension, then we look hard at Champ. I really doubt Dimitroff and Smitty will do it just because of the money. There is no more home town discount. They have flights from Denver to Atlanta, so Champ can fly to practice and be home all in the same day and it won’t affect his wallet.
PoopingonHaters
February 17th, 2011
9:08 am
Another WR, and a faster RB and we’re set on offense. A fierce pass rush, maybe one more CB, and another LB or two and we’re set on defense. It just seems like we can’t get over that hump. That Super Bowl run that could be special.
Joycee Banicheck
February 17th, 2011
9:12 am
Hel yea get him, then trade Dunta to move up in the draft or in a package for a DE. Dude isn’t even the best corner on our team…
S'paw_99
February 17th, 2011
9:24 am
The answer is NO, we don’t need another CB near as bad as we need pass rushers. It doesn’t matter how good your DB’s are, they can’t cover forever, the key to stopping a passing game is the rush. If U let the QB have all day to scan the field & throw, I don’t care how good your DB’s are eventually someone is gonna get open.
D man
February 17th, 2011
9:29 am
Bring him here if the price is right. Also bring us a DE.
The Real Falcon
February 17th, 2011
9:34 am
You have got to have a plan. Here it is:
Sign one of these CB’s (in order of importance)-Nnamdi Asomugha; Antonio Cromartie (will be dropped soon by Jets) or Champ Bailey. Move Grimes to nickel back. Secondary problem solved.
Draft pass rush DE in first round. DL problem solved.
Draft pass-catching TE in second round. Gonzalez replacement problem solved.
Draft speed back in third round. Change of pace back problem solved.
Sign FA WR to complement Roddy and move Jenkins inside to slot. WR problem solved.
Print it!
S'paw_99
February 17th, 2011
9:37 am
Champ is gonna want way too much $. A lot more than an aging 33 yr old CB is worth. If he’s willing to take a “home town” discount then it would probably help, but if not we have more important issues to worry about than CB. Dunta wasn’t spectacular but I didn’t see people throwing at him very much they normally tried to pick on Grimes. More pass rush, a fast, game-changing RB, a game-breaking WR, & a TE are what we really need.
jb
February 17th, 2011
9:37 am
Should have drafted Clay Matthews. TD stinks.
Rod Johnson
February 17th, 2011
9:40 am
Forget about Champ Bailey…I want Josina “Jo Jo” Anderson phone number! She is too fine. Anyway, I can’t see the Falcons brass going after Champ Bailey. We would have to commit more than $10M to an aging CB that has clealy lost a step and is not as durable. I think it would be a “great” story of Champ Bailey coming home, but his price would have to come down significantly. Let’s not forget that our CB’s (Dominique Franks & Chris Owens) are still pretty young and are learning their way. I agree we need to sign another Vet, but Champ Bailey is too costly.
The Real Falcon
February 17th, 2011
9:46 am
Anyone who thinks that 33 wins in three years by our TD stinks does NOT know wnything about football!
blord
February 17th, 2011
9:49 am
I would love to have him but I can’t understand doing more than a 2 year deal at his age; money also being a problem. If he were to cut us a deal (doubtful) then I say bring him home. I honestly see Champ playing for someone like that Pats.
I really hope we sign an impact DE in FA. That is where most of our money has to go.
Who Dat Nation
February 17th, 2011
9:54 am
Champ would look good in a Saints uniform.
Go Saints
Dennis
February 17th, 2011
9:55 am
Atlanta sportsdom needs to remember lesson taught by the first over-the-hill “star”, Bruce Sutter. As much as I have enjoyed watching Champ play football over the years, I am tired of seeing the Atlanta teams bring in these too-pooped-to-pop folks so they can find out they’re done.
BG
February 17th, 2011
9:55 am
Let’s bring Champ home!!!!
CJ
February 17th, 2011
9:57 am
I say we spend all of our FA cash on Bailey. Draft Justin Houston. Trade up for AJ Green and then trade Ryan to the Lions for Stafford. Then we can send our 2nd Round pick to Denver for Knowshon. Then we can go 3-13 and everyone in Georgia will be satisfied.
The Joker...
February 17th, 2011
9:58 am
Sid
February 17th, 2011
9:03 am
Haynesworth? You can’t be serious…………..
Only if the price is extremely lower than what the redskins(foolishly) paid for him, I believe he can still be very effective in a 4-3 defense, and coach Smith,Blank, and Dirmitoff wouldn’t allow Haynesworth to act an azz of himself. He would be that mean, ugly, vicious player that we need on defense……
The Real Falcon
February 17th, 2011
9:59 am
Yeah then we can call them the Atlanta Dawgs, right! Just what we need a bunch of guys from a downward spirally college program. NOT!
Who Dat Nation
February 17th, 2011
10:06 am
The Saints will sign Champ Bailey and Antonio Cromartie, and trade up in the draft for Mark Ingram
the falcons will not beat the Saints next season.
Go Saints
jfreak13713
February 17th, 2011
10:09 am
No! I like Bailey but at his age he may have only a year or two at best worth of solid productivity left in him and I would not want that kind of money tied up in a player who will only get worse not better! “IF” Champ wants to play here for much less money I’d love to have him. Right now is better that what we have but a year or two from now he may not even be starting. NO TO CHAMP AT THAT KIND OF MONEY! Build a team not a one hit wonder.
David
February 17th, 2011
10:13 am
This is a no brainer. The Facon’s have 4 needs this offseason
1) Find a WR to go opposite Roddy White
2) Figure out which of their free agent O-linemen they want to resign and get some depth
3) Depth at DE
4) Impact Corner.
If they get the Impact Corner they are Superbowl contenders. They can live with their D-Line. They Can make it with their O-line as long as they resign at least 1 of the 3 free agents. They can make due with a speedy WR in the draft. Champ Baily would give them Leadership, cover skills, and the last piece of the puzzle to make the difference.
Bro
February 17th, 2011
10:14 am
need to build a good defense, not add odd pieces.
Kashi
February 17th, 2011
10:16 am
What the HELL happened to C. Owens against GB? He forgot basic football multiple times. I say cuz of him and Ryan throw 10 seconds before the second half to R. white knocked us out of playoff.
Falcon Fan
February 17th, 2011
10:20 am
Yes and No……I guess GM and Management will make that call.
David had some good points @ 10;30
Mikefalcon63
February 17th, 2011
10:22 am
WhoDat… How about Brees tears an ACL or an Achilles and you still lose to the likes of Cleveland Arizona, Seattle…. And of course the lowly Falcons. All this after you signed Bailey and Cromartie who can’t stand their coach who doesn’t even want his family to live in that pathetic town.
Brian
February 17th, 2011
10:25 am
I agree that DE or WR is where our money should be placed. My question is: will there be a DE available at 27 with the ability to truly be a IMPACT palyer in his rookie year or should we better spend our $$ shopping for a WR to start opposite of Roddy? Maybe a TE to work with Palmer, and Peele?
Nativebird
February 17th, 2011
10:29 am
aint worth it. here’s the best cornerback on the worst backfield in the NFL. there’s a reason they were the worst. all talk, no chops.
Brian
February 17th, 2011
10:31 am
@David – great points…but my one O-line observation is that Sam Baker seemed to struggle this year and was called for false start and holding a bunch. He was at RT in college..Smitty and Dimitroff moved him to left. Can Baker ever truly be a LT?
D in ATL
February 17th, 2011
10:32 am
Received from Denver:
Champ (at the right price and contract length). Jojo at any price, just d**n!
ATL Fan
February 17th, 2011
10:42 am
The Falcons should at least investigate the possibility of bringing Champ on-board. The tandem of Grimes and Robinson is very good. If we work on pass rush, then signing Bailey isn’t as important.
The Defensive line is deep at DT but, they don’t seem to have a great push up the middle on pass play. If the Falcons could get a DT that will free up the DE’s, then the sack totals will go up.
Biggest needs: WR compliment to White; Norwood replacement at speed RB; DE or DT if the DT can get that all important push up the middle, our DE’s are good enough; and a Nickle CB – See GB playoff game.
joewhite
February 17th, 2011
10:49 am
if we can get him cheap i say yes
Eastside
February 17th, 2011
10:52 am
He would be great as a Falcon but we should not over pay for him. He is 33 and at anytime your body can break down playing in the NFL. At the right price lets bring him in and complete our secondary. With the Packers, Saints and being favorites we need to have a strong secondary.
JONESBORO SLIM
February 17th, 2011
10:53 am
Why are we making such a great need to fill a CB spot?…when the real need is DE…I would think anyone would know that without a good pass rush you could have Champ Bailey’s in every secondary position….”I’ll see you on the HILL”
DHUD
February 17th, 2011
10:53 am
Come on, man. Falcons build for the future, not just one year. Don’t waste money on Champ.Get a CB that has many GREAT years left, not one that has one GOOD year.
JONESBORO SLIM
February 17th, 2011
11:05 am
@Ledbetter
I almost forgot… I need a favor…why don’t you tell JO JO about me… tell her I know how to ski and shovel snow….Build me up man as only you can….. thanx
Najeh Davenpoop
February 17th, 2011
11:11 am
Not that Bailey isn’t worth it by any means, but can the Falcons really afford to tie up more big money in a free agent corner after spending on Dunta Robinson last year? Seems to me they would be better off upgrading other positions in free agency, preferably with players who are not in their 30s.
Mikey Boy
February 17th, 2011
11:14 am
I dont know man. I just dont know if we should jump on Baily of course if we can get em for a good price. but I feel like the need at Corner can be addressed in this Draft. Junior CB of Miami Brandon Harris has WONDERFUL upside played along side Sam Shields (ROOKIE FROM MIAMI ONLY PLAYED CORNER TWO YEARS) Whom is starting for the Super Bowl champs had a big role in that Defense that everyone is talking about. But if we get Champ. I say we go for the the DE/ DT outta Miami Alllen Bailey man is a beast and will be one hella of a pro. But we do need a SPEEDY Running back as well as a solid #2 WR but that D has holes that Arron Rogers opened are Eyes WIDE open too
Greg Moundine
February 17th, 2011
11:15 am
I called it after Atlanta lost to GB..let’s give this guy a 2 year contract BEFORE ASAP!
Cornerback Smurf
February 17th, 2011
11:18 am
Yeah, get CHAMP and get rid of the Smurf!!
Falcon57
February 17th, 2011
11:25 am
@Brian, I agree Baker has struggled, but this past year was his best of 3, check your stats. And check your information on Baker in college, he was a left tackle at USC.
Check it out for yourself. http://cfn.scout.com/2/661025.html
And earlier the suggestion of Haynesworth? You’ve got to be kidding!!!!????
Brian
February 17th, 2011
11:28 am
“SMURF” led the team in INTs last season. His stats are undenyable. May be small, but he understands the defense better than any other CB we have. He has a 40 plus inch vertical leap. And plays with the heart of a lion!
Brian
February 17th, 2011
11:31 am
@Falcons57, ur right, thanks for the correction.
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 17th, 2011
11:31 am
In case anyone hasn’t notice, we don’t draft in the top 5 picks anymore. Getting an impact DE with the 27th pick is not likely and getting a replacement for Gonzalez in with the 50 somthing pick is even more unlikely. Should have got Peppers when we had the chance
dawgfacedboy
February 17th, 2011
11:31 am
THey need a pass rusher opposite Abraham more. If the price was right then hell yeah but I can’t see sinking all our FA money into him.
Delbert D.
February 17th, 2011
11:35 am
33 years old…okay. Then comes 34, 35 and 36; that’s the problem.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 17th, 2011
11:38 am
EARLY POLL RESULTS: Should the Falcons sign Champ Bailey?
* Yes, if the price is right (60%, 692 Votes)
* Yes, pull out all the stops (28%, 323 Votes)
* No, he’s not worth the money (11%, 125 Votes)
* Undecided (1%, 17 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,157
KimZ'sPackage
February 17th, 2011
11:39 am
Too damn old to play that kind of money for him.