WhoDat!656

After five seasons in Washington and 10 in Denver, Champ Bailey has participated in his first practices in New Orleans this week. Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan likes what he sees.

“He looks fantastic,” Ryan told the Advertiser. “You look out there and you think he’s one of those young guys running around. But he’s bringing excitement to our defense and knowledge and it’s awesome to add a great player like him.”

The soon-to-be 36-year-old Bailey is the oldest player on the Saints other than kicker Shayne Graham, and he says he takes the role of being a leader seriously.

“If you put me on any team, I’m always going to be the old guy,” Bailey said. “It’s just something I’ve got to get used to. . . . My first thing is to lead by example, show how hard I can work and try to lead that way. And all these guys — I know I have a lot of experience and I’m not going to shy away from telling them things I think they need to hear and making sure I’m there for them when they have questions.”

Veteran leadership is nice, but the Saints need Bailey to contribute on Sundays in the fall, and not just at OTAs. By age 36 players often struggle to stay healthy for a full season, and last year in Denver Bailey missed 11 games. Ryan has to hope Bailey can keep looking fantastic all year.

Rob Ryan says Champ Bailey looks fantastic | ProFootballTalk

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

jnormand

Nice to hear!

SmashMouth

Must stay healthy .. he was out 11 games last year.

Cruize

It's not impossible that he can come back and have a good year. But, the odds are against it. Everybody looks good running around in shorts. He has what anyone can ask for. A legit shot at proving himself.

Rugby Saint II

Champ will allow Ryan the flexibility that he wants for his defense. Actually, we have a lot of players who can play multiple positions.

Stealthman

When I read that title, I almost peed my pants.

I've got to breathe.... breathe...

Starting to get real excited about this year's team!

hagan714

I really hope he has the quickness still to man the slot postion

SloMotion

Missed 11 games last season ... tells me he's "rested", . Old guy playing a young man's game, he'll be alright.

billyt81

I'm predicting a Darren Sharper type contribution from Bailey. He has some of the best hands on the Saints roster. Go watch the video of him playing WR against LSU. Actually he and Byrd might be the two best hands on the team. Were goin to the bowl. Baptiste has good hands too. If we can rush the passer with four or five guys our defense will be scary.

Danno

I think worst case he probably misses a few games here and there due to his age, but his contributions to the team and the young players will greatly outweigh the few games he may miss along the way.

I kinda hope coach takes it easy on him in training camp. No two-a-days for the old guys. Or perhaps a mysterious ankle tweak (wink-wink) that only allows him to practice full speed every other day or so.