Champ Bailey To The Saints

[Johnnydollaz89]

The New Orleans Saints have added one of the NFL's all-time great cornerbacks to the roster, agreeing to a two-year contract with veteran Champ Bailey, the team confirmed Friday.
Bailey's deal will have a maximum value of $7 million, a league source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bailey, 35, is the same age as Saints quarterback Drew Brees, giving New Orleans a likely Hall of Famer on each side of the ball.
"We are excited to be able to add a future Hall of Fame player with the addition of Champ Bailey," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement released by the team. "His career accomplishments mirror that of his high character and he's a very prideful and competitive player who we believe will add to our defense. Having spent time with him recently and in our discussions with him, I know that he's thrilled to be joining the New Orleans Saints and starting a new chapter in his professional life."
Bailey was released by the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason because of a lofty price tag and declining production. But the 12-time Pro Bowler is said to be healthy after being plagued by a foot injury last season, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported earlier this week.
Bailey will compete for a starting job in New Orleans opposite Keenan Lewis, the team's No. 1 cornerback.

Champ Bailey signing with New Orleans Saints - ESPN

Thought he was walking away from the game? Saints have gotten much better on defense this off-season

 

[Midnightangel]

Champ Bailey signing with New Orleans Saints - ESPN

Thought he was walking away from the game? Saints have gotten much better on defense this off-season

Remains to be seen. Every year some team seems to have improved and yet things don't work out quite like they thought.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Remains to be seen. Every year some team seems to have improved and yet things don't work out quite like they thought.

Well, referring to name wise, they've upgraded. But yes, until we see how it goes on the field, it's yet to be determined.

 

[bksballer89]

The Saints defense will be top 15

 

[Midnightangel]

The Saints defense will be top 15

So you're saying they'll be slightly better than average?

 

[bksballer89]

yes

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Interesting move... Even if Bailey doesn't have much tread left on the tires, he still should provide great leadership. Good move by the Saints.

 

[SonnyCID]

It's a young man's game. I would have liked to see Champ retire, his ability is all but gone.

 

[bksballer89]

He's not going to be our top corner. It is very possible that he will be the nickle CB so the signing doesn't bother me

 

[mcnabb7542]

He's not going to be our top corner. It is very possible that he will be the nickle CB so the signing doesn't bother me

that is a perfect fit for him, nickel spot plus he can be a valuable voice on that unit...

 

[SonnyCID]

He's not going to be our top corner. It is very possible that he will be the nickle CB so the signing doesn't bother me

It is also very possible that he doesn't even make the team. I always liked him and I'll root for the guy, but he looked useless last year. It's sad to see these guys stay around longer than they really should.

 

[bksballer89]

It is also very possible that he doesn't even make the team. I always liked him and I'll root for the guy, but he looked useless last year. It's sad to see these guys stay around longer than they really should.

He was also hurt. No doubt he can make any roster when he is healthy

 

[SonnyCID]

He was also hurt. No doubt he can make any roster when he is healthy

At 35? Maybe, maybe not. At some point, for every player, their ability goes away. And it usually goes away very quickly and is accompanied by injuries (like his last year).

 

[bksballer89]

I guess we will see. If he looks shitty in training camp he may get cut but if he looks like champ, he would make the team and be the nickel CB

 

[cdumler7]

It is also very possible that he doesn't even make the team. I always liked him and I'll root for the guy, but he looked useless last year. It's sad to see these guys stay around longer than they really should.

He also had a lisfranc injury that puts almost every single person on IR. He decided to tough it out.

Also not that he was perfect but at the end of the year (except for the Super Bowl) when Champ returned our defense went from giving up like 27 points a game 17 being the most we gave up over the final 4 games before the Superbowl. Bronco fans know that is not a coincidence that Champ returns and the defense goes from below average to at least above average.

This will be a very good signing for the Saints. Above all else Champ is a great teacher and locker room presence. He is very good at making sure the young guns stay in line and know exactly what their responsibility is on every play. Physically Champ is maybe 80% of what he used to be say 5 years ago but mentally he has never been better. Like I said our defense improved quite a bit when he came into the picture and a big part of that was the secondary stopped being out of position on the field. Guys knew exactly what their assignments were where before they looked like chickens with the head cut off.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Big Champ fan

But I think he's done as a starting caliber CB in the NFL...I understand he was coming off injury, but even in the slot he was picked on in the playoffs. I thought he would get another year or two @ safety.

I think vet CBs can linger in the league better than RBs, but you can't hide them in this era...love the name value, but not sure about this signing.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

It's an A+ signing if they want Champ for his leadership ability and general presence on the field as a non-starter.

It's an F signing if they expect Champ to be the starting #1 or #2 CB position. Basically, put him slot or #4+ and call it a day.

The fact they just paid $7M makes me think the Saints want him #1 or #2, in which case lol.

 

[bksballer89]

He can win the #2 job but Keenan Lewis is the #1 corner for sure and the article makes no mention of him being a possible #1 corner

 

[bksballer89]

A typical classless Seahawks fan....Why am I not surprised?

 

[bksballer89]

It's not like the Saints have some great group of CB's after Lewis anyway. There's only 2 CB's that can possibly beat him out and they are Corey White and Patrick Robinson