Is Champ Bailey healthy? No, he hasn’t been all season. But he’s beyond caring.
Especially this week. It’s T.O. week.
For the first time in Bailey’s seven-year NFL career, the two will be pitted against each other often Sunday when Terrell Owens and Philadelphia visit Bailey and the Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I’m ready for him,” said Bailey who has played the past two weeks while healing from a left hamstring injury that kept him out of two games. Bailey, who had a previous hamstring injury during training camp and a shoulder injury earlier in the season, said he’s still hurting, but he can’t wait to face Owens.
“It’s definitely one of the most challenging years I’ve had. But who cares?” Bailey said. “I’ve seen guys do it and make it through. I know I’m capable of doing it.”
Owens inspires him.
“You always look forward to facing guys like him,” Bailey said.
Bailey and Owens have played against each other twice when Owens was playing for San Francisco and Bailey was with Washington. Bailey said he wasn’t always matched against Owens in those games. In 1999, Owens had one catch for 2 yards, and in 2002, Owens had two catches for 33 yards.
Owens also has been quiet in three games against Denver, all played with the 49ers before Bailey arrived in Denver. In the three games, Owens had 11 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown.
This year, Owens has 44 catches for 690 yards with five touchdowns. All are Eagles bests. His 44 receptions are tied with St. Louis’ Torry Holt for the most in the NFL.
In 21 games with the Eagles, his team is 17-4. They are 13-0 when he scores a touchdown and 4-4 when Owens is held out of the end zone. Bailey said Owens sometimes can appear like he’s not having a huge game, then bite a team. Owens – who could be in his final season in Philadelphia because of contract dispute – ignites the Eagles’ offense.
“He can be a sleeper,” Bailey said of Owens. “Sometimes, he may not do anything for a couple of series and then he explodes, and before you know it he has his six catches for 120 yards. He’s going to make his plays. But you just have to be there to stop him, and I’m ready for it.”
Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb said the Owens-Bailey matchup will be a prime-time attraction. McNabb has thrown the ball 254 times this season, the most in the NFL. McNabb threw 54 passes in Sunday’s 20-17 win vs. San Diego.
“I think any time you have two top players like this it’s definitely worth the admission,” McNabb said. “Champ is, if not the best, one of the best corners in the game. T.O. goes the same way. If not the best, one of the best receivers in the game. It makes it very exciting.”
At 6-feet-3, 226 pounds, Owens is known for being physical after the catch. In the Broncos’ 24-23 loss at New York, 6-5 Giants receiver Plaxico Burress had success against Bailey on several plays, and Bailey was penalized three times. Burress also appeared to push off on Bailey several times.
Could the same happen against Owens?
“If it does, I’ll deal with it,” Bailey said. “But whatever happens, I’m ready to play him.”
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
