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| Bailey back in his Denver Bronco days. Photo Credit: Jack Dempsey/AP |
Champ Bailey, despite being cut by the Saints last month, is still on a mission to continue his career for at least this upcoming season. He recently had a workout with the Detroit Lions, which by all accounts went well.
By: Michael Hanley
"Definitely, and he is fully healthy now," his agent, Jack Reale,
"He had a plantar problem, which is resolved, but he just missed too much time for the coach's evaluation to be complete and unfortunately in the last two games they didn't throw at him, so he couldn't show his stuff. He is fine."
This is the first time in quite a while that the 36 year old is fully healthy. Last season, even despite being part of a Denver Broncos that eventually would wind up playing in the Super Bowl, Bailey was unfortunately not a big factor in their run to the title game.
He was only able to play five games at full strength as he had to battle a foot injury that plagued him throughout the season. The Broncos after the season saw an injured veteran in Bailey who when he did play not be at the some prolific level he was in years past performance wise and released him during the offseason.
After not being able to stick with the New Orlean Saints, Bailey had a new opportunity arise from the Detroit Lions were willing to at least give him a look and see for themselves the health of the veteran CB .They brought him in for a workout and, according to CBS Sport’s Jason LaCanfora, the workout went well. The problem is though, the Lions have no immediate plans to bring Bailey into fold and take on any specific role within their defense, despite having a need in the secondary.
For now, the best possible scenario with Detroit for the former Bronco is that he would be brought in during the season as an option. This would in case more for if one of the Lions in the secondary went down with some type of serious injury or if their play was not up to standard.
There is no question that Bailey has been one of his generation's best defensive backs to play in the NFL and has had a decorated career with 52 career interceptions, 12 Pro Bowl selections 7 All Pro Team selections and a Super Bowl appearance.
Saying that, there does come a time when a player comes into the twilight of his career and Bailey has come to that point now. It is difficult for any player, especially of his caliber, to walk away from the game without at least proving they can play at a high level at least one more full season against the best competition.
Bailey might catch onto a team in a reduced role at some point this season but that would sit just fine with him, as long as he gets to continue to do something he has had a love of doing all his life, playing football.
The 15 year veteran of the league still has the desire and energy to compete with the best WRs in the NFL and devote himself to another grueling, long season of games and preparation. According to his agent Jack Reale, Bailey is 100% healthy and ready to go for any team that might be interested in having him fill a specific role in their secondary. Here is what Reale had to say further on the health status of his client Bailey (Via NFL.com):
"Definitely, and he is fully healthy now," his agent, Jack Reale,
"He had a plantar problem, which is resolved, but he just missed too much time for the coach's evaluation to be complete and unfortunately in the last two games they didn't throw at him, so he couldn't show his stuff. He is fine."
This is the first time in quite a while that the 36 year old is fully healthy. Last season, even despite being part of a Denver Broncos that eventually would wind up playing in the Super Bowl, Bailey was unfortunately not a big factor in their run to the title game.
He was only able to play five games at full strength as he had to battle a foot injury that plagued him throughout the season. The Broncos after the season saw an injured veteran in Bailey who when he did play not be at the some prolific level he was in years past performance wise and released him during the offseason.
After not being able to stick with the New Orlean Saints, Bailey had a new opportunity arise from the Detroit Lions were willing to at least give him a look and see for themselves the health of the veteran CB .They brought him in for a workout and, according to CBS Sport’s Jason LaCanfora, the workout went well. The problem is though, the Lions have no immediate plans to bring Bailey into fold and take on any specific role within their defense, despite having a need in the secondary.
For now, the best possible scenario with Detroit for the former Bronco is that he would be brought in during the season as an option. This would in case more for if one of the Lions in the secondary went down with some type of serious injury or if their play was not up to standard.
There is no question that Bailey has been one of his generation's best defensive backs to play in the NFL and has had a decorated career with 52 career interceptions, 12 Pro Bowl selections 7 All Pro Team selections and a Super Bowl appearance.
Saying that, there does come a time when a player comes into the twilight of his career and Bailey has come to that point now. It is difficult for any player, especially of his caliber, to walk away from the game without at least proving they can play at a high level at least one more full season against the best competition.
Bailey might catch onto a team in a reduced role at some point this season but that would sit just fine with him, as long as he gets to continue to do something he has had a love of doing all his life, playing football.
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