Miami – Champ Bailey threw his helmet in disgust as he took an unfamiliar place on the sideline. Lenny Walls and Darrent Williams had IVs replenishing their weary bodies. Domonique Foxworth was being thrown into the fire, and Sam Brandon, of all people, was in coverage.
“It was a crazy day,” said Bailey, struggling to dress with one healthy arm after the Broncos’ pained 34-10 season-opening loss Sunday. “It wasn’t good.”
The cornerback position was front and center in the Broncos’ all-around flat loss. Although Bailey said he will try to play in the home opener against San Diego next week, he could be out several weeks with a separated shoulder.
Bailey was hurt on the first play of the third quarter while tackling Miami rookie tailback Ronnie Brown and did not return. Coach Mike Shanahan said he was told by trainer Steve Antonopulos that Bailey’s injury is similar to one Walls suffered last year. Walls separated his shoulder three times last season. After the first injury he missed three games, then missed one. He was lost for the season after his third shoulder separation.
“We don’t know the degree of it yet,” Shanahan said of Bailey, who is expected to have an MRI.
Bailey missed the preseason games with a hamstring injury, but never has missed a regular-season game, running his streak to 97 on Sunday.
“I think I’m going to play next week,” Bailey said, “but I have to see. I’m sore, but I’m always going to go out and try to play.”
The departure of Bailey, who intercepted a pass by Gus Frerotte in the second quarter and forced a fumble on Denver’s first defensive series, contributed to a chain reaction among the defensive backs.
On the next play, Walls left the field with cramping and missed several series. That left second-round pick Williams and third-round pick Foxworth – the last two cornerbacks activated – on the field trying to keep Denver in the game.
On the second series of the second half, after Williams made a nice play breaking up a pass, he was sidelined with cramps for several series along with Walls.
It was a long day for the Broncos defense in the 89-degree South Florida weather with high humidity. Miami held the ball 4 1/2 minutes longer than Denver, creating extra work for the defense.
The rash of problems suddenly left Denver with Foxworth and Brandon as its cornerbacks. Reserve cornerbacks Karl Paymah and Roc Alexander were among Denver’s seven inactive players.
Brandon, a safety, said he played a limited amount of cornerback at UNLV. He last played the position on a regular basis as a high school sophomore – 11 years ago.
“Safeties do some coverage in training camp, and as a safety in this defense you need to know everything from linebacker to nickel and cornerback,” Brandon said. “When I was in at corner, I was just trying to cover.”
That was the motto for the Denver defense. Just survive.
The combination of injuries, heat and Miami’s offense being on the field 11 minutes, 39 seconds of the third quarter helped the Dolphins put away the game.
The Dolphins led only 6-3 at the half but exploited Denver’s defensive issues to take a 20-3 lead four plays into the fourth quarter. The Dolphins’ offense, led by former backup Frerotte, got aggressive and used the shotgun offense at times to further scramble Denver’s secondary. Frerotte completed 24-of-36 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns.
Denver was in such a survival mode that linebacker Ian Gold was in coverage against speedy Wes Welker, the Dolphins’ return man, when Miami was in a spread offense.
“We had to adjust as the game went on,” Foxworth said. “That’s the nature of the game.”
If Bailey is out for an extended period, the adjustments will continue.
Duck and cover
A breakdown of the cornerback play for the Broncos in their 34-10 loss at Miami on Sunday:
Champ Bailey: Was having a high-impact game, causing a fumble in the first quarter and making an interception in the second quarter. However, he suffered a separated left shoulder on the first defensive play of the second half and did not return. Vows to play against visiting San Diego next weekend, but could be out several weeks.
Lenny Walls: The right cornerback missed much of three series with cramps. When he came back, he clearly still was affected. He could not keep up with Miami wideout Marty Booker, who is slower than Walls, on a 60-yard touchdown play in the fourth quarter.
Darrent Williams: The rookie played well but started to cramp after being on the field as a cornerback and a returner. Williams came back in during the fourth quarter.
Domonique Foxworth: The rookie replaced Bailey and played well in spurts. He broke up a long pass but was called for a pass interference penalty that set up a Miami touchdown, making the score 13-3 in the third quarter.
Sam Brandon: Because of the injuries, Brandon was forced to play a cornerback position he hasn’t played on a regular basis since 1994, when he was a sophomore in high school. He played until Walls was able to return.
Roc Alexander: Inactive.
Karl Paymah: Inactive.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
