"Having just turned 33 in a job that usually spits out 30-somethings, Champ Bailey is aware some folks say quarterbacks aren't as afraid of him as they used to be. When passers really need a completion, they're a little more willing to look his way.

But ask him where he believes his game is as his 13th season approaches and Bailey is bluntly confident.

"I'm still elite, definitely," Bailey said. "I'm still one of the top-five corners in this game. I look at my whole game, not just covering, not just tackling, not just one area, my whole game. I'm definitely one of the elite - still."

After pulling a contract offer off the table midway through last season, the Broncos had a change of heart and agreed with Bailey

after hiring John Elway to run the team's football operations and John Fox to be the head coach.

The result was a four-year, $43 million contract for Bailey that would increase to $47 million if he reaches all the incentives. Bailey took a chance that a rebuilding team could turn it around before his career winds down."