Broncos Country has always had a soft spot for Champ Bailey. Since his retirement from the NFL after the 2013 season, his beloved No. 24 jersey can still be seen all over the Mile High City, especially on game day.
Now the whole world recognizes Bailey as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (class of 2019).
Originally, Bailey was a first-round out of Georgia in 1999, but he played the first five seasons of his career in Washington. In 2004, Denver traded Clinton Portis back to Washington in exchange for Bailey and a second round draft pick.
The rest, as they would say, is history, with Bailey playing in 215 games and registering 931 tackles (832 solo), 42 tackles for a loss, 52 interceptions, 203 defended passes, seven forced fumbles, six fumbles recovered and four touchdowns.
So when the 12-time Pro Bowler who played in Denver for ten years speaks, people tend to listen. Earlier this week, Bailey was a guest on 104.3 The fans Nick and Cecil where asked about the possibility that Denver would pursue QB Deshaun Watson via trade.
“It would be a great move,” Bailey told former teammate Nick Ferguson and co-host Cecil Lammey. “He’s a proven quarterback, a franchise quarterback. He will be a franchise and change his trajectory. So why not entertain that? ‘
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Speculation about the going rate to do business with the Houston Texans could cost a suitor several first-round draft picks in addition to premium players. While some feel that buying Watson is too expensive, I recommend Broncos buyer to listen to the Hall-of-Famer.
Considered by many to be the best cornerback to ever play in the NFL, Bailey only appeared in one Super Bowl (XLVIII) where he and the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8. He was released in March. Despite receiving numerous awards and setting multiple records, Bailey has never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy over his head.
I’ve always subscribed to the theory that franchise QBs aren’t developed, they are born. When a team falls head over heels in love with a man, that team must move mountains to get him. Bailey would agree.
“I’m kind of looking at the Broncos now, like it’s almost 2012,” said Bailey The ventilator. “It’s more or less the same dynamic. You have a young man who did well and did some good things, but nothing to really make you feel good about the future. life can really change. franchise like Watson, yes you go get a guy like that.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s in draft, free agency, or by trade, franchise quarterbacks rarely fall into the lap of a team. I’m certainly not saying the Broncos should be desperate or reckless, but if Denver has identified Watson as his man, there’s no price tag in the world that’s too expensive.
Follow Luke on Twitter Replying to @ mr_morris and @BuienRadarNL.