Champ Bailey enters this season having turned 30 years old in June. One of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL doesn't feel like he is slowing down.
"I don't feel 30," Bailey said. "I feel like I can play 10 more years."
Bailey, who works hard in the film room and is one of Denver's smartest players, isn't eyeing retirement either. He played in Washington with Darrell Green and Deion Sanders, two players who played much longer than most cornerbacks. Bailey stays in great shape, so he thinks he might be able to match their longevity. And he has no desire to retire while he is still in his prime.
"I don't believe in that leaving on top stuff," Bailey said. "That's just not me. It's a great business. It's a job millions and millions of people would love to have. You're doing something you love, making a lot of money doing it, why not keep playing? If they don't want you here, they'll kick you out."
One thing that Bailey does worry about as he gets older is retiring without a Super Bowl ring. He came close in the 2005 season, when the Broncos advanced to the AFC Championship Game, but still hasn't played in a Super Bowl. He knows the young Broncos, coming off a 7-9 season, have work to do. He thinks the team is heading in the right direction, but he also knows his chances of winning a title fade a little every year.
"I'm not going to lie, that crosses my mind a lot," Bailey said. "I try to block it out. You look at a guy like (New York Giants defensive end Michael) Strahan. How long did he wait to get a ring? It takes a while for some people, some people get it in their first year. I think my time will come."
Bailey is coming off a subpar season by his standards, but the entire Broncos defense struggled last year. Bailey looked good in offseason practices, and teammates haven't noticed any changes in their best defensive player.
"I'd be surprised if I ever get to the day where I say 'Dang, Champ is getting old,'" said linebacker Boss Bailey, Champ's brother. "I don't know, it doesn't seem like he's turning 30 to me."
CAMP CALENDAR: The Broncos report to training camp on July 24, and their first practice is the next day. Denver trains at the facilities at its Dove Valley headquarters. The camp will probably end on or around Aug. 7.
Play FOX FANTASY FOOTBALL TODAY!
