Not A Potential Falcons Free Agent Signings: Champ Bailey

by Dave Choate on Feb 5, 2011 1:00 PM EST in Editorial

At the risk of kicking off another off-season of "Letz sign Terrell Owens LOL" posts, I'm going a little out there for this one. And shooting down your dreams. Hey, it's what I do.

We all know that Champ Bailey, one of the great cornerbacks of his era, is an impending free agent. We know he wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. We also know he's due for one more good contract before he rides off into the sunset. I happen to know a certain Atlanta football teams with those aspirations.

Despite that, it's probably ridiculous to think that the Falcons would sign someone like Bailey, especially when they so clearly need to lock up Brent Grimes. There's little doubt that Bailey is better than Dunta Robinson, but he's also 33 years old and, career-wise, is in a greased up wagon on top of a very steep hill. Having two elderly corners patrolling back there legitimately scares the feathers out of me.

So in our first installment, let it be known that Champ Bailey will not be a Falcon. Don't even think about it.

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???

Who is the other elderly corner? Dunta is 28 or 29 if that’s elderly I need to know. Brian Williams won’t be back so don’t even count him.

by Kushion on Feb 5, 2011 1:11 PM EST reply actions

He will be 29 in April ...

And to be fair, the knee issues age him a bit. Blame Earl Cochran.

by James Rael on Feb 5, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

If the price is right …

Bailey (2010):
+WPA/game – 1.85
Success Rate – 46 percent
Tackle Factor – negative 1.13
Interceptions – 2

Robinson:
+WPA/game – 0.86
Success Rate – 30 percent
Tackle Factor – negative 1.29
Interceptions – 1

Grimes:
+WPA/game – 2.74
Success Rate – 38.6
Tackle Factor – negative 1.74
Interceptions – 5

by James Rael on Feb 5, 2011 1:18 PM EST reply actions

He may still be effective

But I’d rather see him as a nickel back, in which case we wouldn’t pay him alot of money.
In which case, he wouldn’t come to the Falcons.
I bet the Lions sign him and he starts alongside Alphonso Smith

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.

by TurnerTheBurner on Feb 5, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

Bailey would be an awesome nickel back

but you’re right, he would be a very expensive nickel back.

by mwalex on Feb 5, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Dunno ...

Money isn’t everything. Granted, he fall part of the 80+ percent of NFLers that are broke. But may have his money right. And if he does, winning a championship may be high on his priority list, which would keep him out of blue and white.

by James Rael on Feb 5, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

If that's the case

it’s so easy to see how adding Champ and playing a 4-2-5 a lot might really help improve the D.

by mwalex on Feb 5, 2011 5:47 PM EST up reply actions

Essentially, a nickel coverage

While we’re fantasizing, even at 33, most teams still don’t challenge Champ cuz he still has the knack for breaking on the ball after it has left the QB’s hand. And let’s be honest, Bailey won’t be the nickel – ever. He’s so much better than Grimes and still a minor cut above Dunta. Your tradeoff becomes the Grimes vs Weatherspoon(?) in the package, probably. A CB sprints on the field and an LB comes off. And, hey, the matchup favors ATL either way. Throw in an improved pass rush and you won’t need to blitz much at all. Shoot, we could lead the league in coverage sacks. LoL

If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.

by 66fredo99 on Feb 5, 2011 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Can't argue with that.

But having an elder in that nickel spot may help out, BW held it down pretty well.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Feb 6, 2011 12:50 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He's somebody

we ought to look at based on talent and skill alone. At this stage in his career, you’d think he want a ring. But he’d be just a piece here – not the show. That’s a big deal to a proud vet. How is he in the locker room? I dunno. I’m sure the Falcons would check with their own vets to see if he’d be a fit. But, yeah, he’d be a an unpgrade over both our starting CBs. I’d move Grimes to nickel in a heartbeat.

If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.

by 66fredo99 on Feb 5, 2011 5:35 PM EST reply actions

Only reason I would want Bailey is so the Falcons can be a better Madden team. haha

TNT should've treated Lebron's return to Cleveland game like 2k11 and cut the game off after the Cavs were down by 30. lol

by Krobify on Feb 5, 2011 6:22 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

2nd rec

Thats all he would be good for…

Second thought, my madden team doesnt need him..

by DesertFalcon on Feb 6, 2011 2:39 AM EST up reply actions

We could always use him as a FS for a couple years...

I know DeCoud has had the position locked up for a couple years but, not gonna lie, not completely sold on him yet. He’s definately competent and I’m not saying he should be cut but if we can squeeze like just 2 more years outta champ being a complete tank, in a position where his age won’t actally be as much of a problem compared to him playing CB then I say go for it.

by RANewton on Feb 5, 2011 8:08 PM EST reply actions

It'd be nice to have someone of his talent level

but at his age, bodies can go in a hurry. That being said, I think Darren Sharper is older and still gave the Saints a couple good years.

Also, Champ is loved out there in Denver. I’m pretty sure he’s a good guy.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 5, 2011 9:00 PM EST reply actions

He's still a shutdown guy!!

Being here in Denver I would hate to see him go but hey, look at the Broncos. IF he has a bad game he comes back and shuts up a guy like Bowe the next week. He has a great locker room presence and field presence. He knows the play and will let you know when you were out of place. He also can tackle unlike a lot of corners. He’ll come up and smack ya in the open field with no help.

We’ll miss ya Champ!! You’re one of the classiest pros ever in Denver!!

by sirstv on Feb 5, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions

id we sign

chris houstan that guy was awesome

by shuliem3 on Feb 5, 2011 10:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The local fans would love him for GA nostalgia, but he's too old now.

by YokoFalcon on Feb 6, 2011 12:30 AM EST reply actions

Damn guys we really need a pass rush opposite Abe.

Osi would be nice. They play a very similar D up in NYG. Our secondary wouldn’t have been tested so much had we had a better pass rush.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Feb 6, 2011 12:53 AM EST via mobile reply actions

This

Our corners are fine, our pass rush isnt. Fix the pass rush and our secondary will look a whole lot better

If peeing your pants is the coolest, consider me Miles Davis

by BigSkee on Feb 6, 2011 1:33 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

That seems to be apparent but it's funny

how that’s missed

by mwalex on Feb 6, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

Yes osi would be nice

by Dirtybird909 on Feb 6, 2011 3:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

while i agree that osi would be nice

I think both of them is the best option. Someone would have to go but as long as the depth stays the same I think both + a speed back and a second best team receiver is the ultimate win now attitude.

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Feb 6, 2011 5:25 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

If both is Bailey and Osi it won't happen

ATL hasn’t picked up two big FA’s in an off season yet, not to say it won’t happen but three years of history is pushing against it.

I would prefer Osi, or other FA DE, over a FA DB.

by mwalex on Feb 6, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

I've said it here before, I'll say it hear again

if we want to pick up a FA DL then look right at Ngata, he’s coming up for free agency and if its at all possible we should work on prising him away from the Ravens. Osi is a tank yes but Ngata is quite possibly the scariest Dline man I’ve ever seen.

by RANewton on Feb 6, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Can you imagine Abe, Ngata, Babs, and Peters/Jerry?

I’m in awe

by saipol on Feb 6, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

this was my thought when I first saw him as a free agent

by RANewton on Feb 6, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

No way in hell the Ravens let him walk.

They’ll take out his knees before letting him play of anyone else. Don’t think Osi goes anywhere else either. Sure, he had some issues with the DC in the preseason, but Coughlin really likes him and he had a great season this year. Every statement I’ve heard indicates he will stay in NY if the $ is right. He’s also been advocating resigning Plaxico Burress to the team, which means he clearly sees his future with the Giants.

by KMarch on Feb 6, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

oh yeah

it would probably be the worst decision the ravens have ever made if they let him go but let me dream a little longer!

by RANewton on Feb 6, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Why Ngata?

If ATL needs someone that can get sacks it sure isn’t him. He has 12 sacks in 5 seasons. At 340 pounds he does not have a speed rush or the quckness to get around OT’s. Evidentally his bull rush is not that good with 12 sacks in 5 years. Actually I’m seeing where Ngata is a DT not a DE.

by mwalex on Feb 6, 2011 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

This is what we should do with champ

First off we will not sign champ a high dollar contract just to have him play nickel. He isn’t going to join a team to play nickel he wants to be a starter. With this being said I think we could sign champ and sign back grimes. Once we accomplish this we will start champ and duante and have grimes, who is incredible in tight man coverage especially against smaller receivers, play nickel. With this I feel as if we have an experienced and young secondary; making us in my opinion one of the best secondary’s.

Comment on how you feel about this

by Gunnar Michael Carson on Feb 8, 2011 4:17 PM EST reply actions