Oakland, Calif. – A commitment to notes …
A cornerback with swagger? Can’t be. Cornerbacks run the damage-control department in today’s NFL. Wide receivers are supposed to be the ones with the swagger and the end-zone dances.
Such is life in 31 other NFL cities, but not Our Town. When opposing quarterbacks challenge Champ Bailey, he’s the one who comes down with the ball in the end zone.
My favorite quote of the Broncos season came a few weeks ago, courtesy of the Champmeister: “You come my way, I’m going to make you pay.”
A corner talking the talk. Don’t you love it? Take that, T.O. In your face, Chad Johnson. Maybe next time, Steve Smith.
The time has come to put Bailey in a historical perspective. He not only is Hall of Fame- bound, he may be the best corner who ever was, a player with Deion Sanders’ cover ability and Ronnie Lott’s nasty attitude.
Bailey’s incredible talent is starting to be recognized around the pro football world. Bodog.com last week listed him behind Brian Urlacher among the favorites to win the NFL defensive player of the year award. The complete list, with odds to win the award: Urlacher, 3-1; Bailey, 4-1; Julius Peppers, 5-1; and Julian Peterson, 11-2. …
Not that it would be a big deal if Bailey won the award, but only one Broncos player has won it in the franchise’s history. That would be Randy Gradishar in 1978. …
Just wondering: When is the last time another NFL team traded for a Hall of Fame-caliber player just as he was hitting the prime of his career? Two words: doesn’t happen. …
Don’t discount how beat up the Broncos are as they head for the Black Hole. To wit: Bailey was asked the other day what the key was to the second half of the season. Improving the offense? Revving up the pass rush? Neither of the above, he said. “First thing we’ve got to do is see who’s healthy.” …
The 49ers were allowing almost 34 points a game, but held the Vikings to three? Let me guess. Barry Bonds went through their locker room and handed out Halloween treats. …
So long, Dan McCarney. Frankly, I’ve got to see it to believe it. His successor at Silo Tech having any more success than he did, that is. …
Trivia time. McCarney is one of nine Division I-A coaches who’ve been at their schools for 12 years or more. Can you name the other eight? Answer several dots below? …
You could look it up. In fact, you just did. The Broncos have allowed 936 yards in their past two games. That’s 142 more than any other team in the league. …
By the way, in case you’re wondering if Al Davis is kicking himself for firing Mike Shanahan, the Raiders are 143-144 since his departure in 1989. Shanahan’s head coaching record since then? Try 128-67 with two Super Bowl trophies. …
Enough already with this talk of the Colts running the table. The 1972 Dolphins could stop the run better than the Colts, and some of those guys are on Social Security. …
Memo to Melo: Next time you want to give away $3 million, offer it to any teammate who can make a 20-foot jump shot. …
Have you noticed? Florida State, fifth in the ACC’s six-team Atlantic Division. …
Reggie Bush in his past five games: 47 carries, 82 yards. Let’s see now. Using my liberal arts degree, that amounts to an average of, like, not very much. …
How stunning was Rutgers’ W over Louisville? One year earlier, Louisville had beaten the Scarlet Knights 56-5, outgained them 500 yards to 187, and racked up 25 first downs to their nine. …
Trivia answer: Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Joe Paterno (Penn State), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech), Sonny Lubick (CSU), Fisher DeBerry (AFA), Lloyd Carr (Michigan), Phil Fullmer (Tennessee) and Larry Blakeney (Troy). …
Never trust a press release. We had the Steelers winless vs. the AFC West in this space. They’re actually 1-3, having hammered the Chiefs 45-7 in what amounts to the only highlight of their season. …
Happy 36th birthday to Tonya Harding. Say hello to the gang at the trailer park, eh? …
And finally, the latest from the e-mail bag: “When you were in high school, did you get straight A’s?” Sure, kid, and I got all the girls, too.
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
