Broncos star Bailey getting tested often in 2009, welcomes increased attention

Bailey relishes increase in passes coming his way

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The bully on the corner for so long, Champ Bailey is now the one getting picked on.

Maybe it’s his advancing age — 31 — or that he’s coming off a groin injury that cost him half of last season and ended his Pro Bowl streak at eight. Whatever the reason, the Denver Broncos cornerback has seen his workload increase this season as opposing quarterbacks go after him.

All Bailey can say is, well, thanks.

Bailey certainly made plenty of plays in a 17-10 win over Dallas last weekend that kept the Broncos undefeated. He intercepted a pass from Tony Romo at the Denver 6 and swatted down four passes.

His performance earned him AFC defensive player of the week honors for the first time since 2003 when he was in Washington.