Umzug » Spezza enjoyed playing the role of spoiler

DENVER -- Champ Bailey spent a decade with the Denver Broncos, making eight Pro Bowls and picking off 34 passes even with quarterbacks only reluctantly glancing his way. This number was hard to overlook: $10 million. In a cost-cutting move Thursday, the Broncos released Bailey, the teams defensive leader whos been a fan favourite since he was acquired in a trade with Washington in 2004. Theres simply no room for loyalty in the NFL, especially with free agency about to start and with holes needing to be filled, something that became apparent to the Broncos after a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl last month. Broncos boss John Elway called the decision to release Bailey a "difficult" one given all that the perennial Pro Bowl cornerback has brought to the team over his 10 seasons in the Mile High City. "Without question, hes among the best cornerbacks to ever play the game and one of the finest players in the history of the Broncos," Elway said in a statement. "You couldnt ask for more in a player than what Champ brought to this team. His combination of elite talent, class, leadership and competitiveness made him one of the all-time greats." But age and injuries had begun to catch up with one of the best shutdown cornerbacks to play the game. Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler overall, is scheduled to make around $10 million next season, which is a lot of money for a cornerback who may be asked to switch to safety or possibly inside to the slot position. This was a hard season for the 35-year-old Bailey as he missed 11 games because of a nagging left foot sprain originally suffered in the preseason on Aug. 17 in Seattle. Only later did Bailey reveal he sustained a Lisfranc injury. He returned late in the season to help the Broncos advance to the Super Bowl, but wasnt back to his old form -- the form that had QBs scanning everywhere but his direction. In his prime, Bailey wasnt always very busy because opponents simply picked on his counterpart. And yet he still has 52 career interceptions, the most among active cornerbacks. "I consider it a privilege to have coached Champ these last three years," Broncos coach John Fox said. "Theres no doubt he played an integral role in establishing a culture of winning here. "Aside from his natural ability, Champ set a great example with his hard work and relentless commitment to mastering his craft." The 15-year veteran mentored many teammates, teaching them the tricks of the cornerback trade. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, an impending free agent, once said he used to study film of Bailey simply because, "If youre a cornerback, you have to be a fan of Champ Bailey. Anytime a guy does that for a period of time he did it, 14 or 15 years, youve got to watch him." Rodgers-Cromartie and Bailey were supposed to be a lockdown tandem in 2013. Until Bailey got hurt. So in stepped Chris Harris Jr., an undrafted player out of Kansas who soaked up all of Baileys suggestions as he waited his turn. Once he got on the field, Harris became almost a copy of Bailey -- or as much as anyone can be. Harris blew out a knee against San Diego in the divisional round, leading to Baileys return to his usual spot at left corner. On his Twitter account, Harris thanked Bailey for his help, saying he was blessed to be able to "lineup opposite Champ and learn from a Great." Harris wasnt alone in his praise, with linebacker Danny Trevathan posting on Twitter: "Champ. You taught me a lot!" Although quarterbacks didnt always pick on him, Bailey still found a way to get involved. He prided himself on his tackling and frequently crept up to the line of scrimmage to help out. In 215 regular-season games, Bailey has 983 tackles, three sacks, nine forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. His best statistical season was 2006, when he had a career-high 10 interceptions and finished as runner-up for The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. About the only thing that eluded Bailey in his time with Denver was that Super Bowl ring. But Elway said there is a "ring" in Baileys future because Elway said hes going to have a place in the teams Ring of Fame once his career is finished. Maybe down the road there will be a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too, which would make him the first Denver defensive player to be enshrined. "On behalf of everyone with the Broncos, I wish Champ all the best and thank him for everything he did for this franchise," Elway said. "Champ will always be a Bronco." Brian Dawkins Jersey . -- The Denver Broncos are shuffling their offensive line this off-season and Orlando Franklin provided some insight into their plans Monday by tweeting that hes moving from right tackle to left guard. Herman Edwards Jersey .com) - The Grand Slam season will get underway Monday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where a new champion will be crowned this year. http://www.cheapeaglesjerseysauthentic.c...ntgomery-jersey. "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. Cheap Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys . You can watch all the action on TSN and TSN GO beginning at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. Minnesota dropped the first two tests of this best-of-seven set at Chicagos United Center and was outscored by a combined 9-3 margin in those setbacks. However, the Wild righted themselves at home by taking Game 3 by a 4-0 count before knotting the series at two games apiece with Fridays 4-2 triumph at Xcel Energy Center. Wholesale Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday.VANCOUVER -- Senators rookie Cody Ceci is trying to help his team by helping his own cause. Cecis second-period goal stood up as the winner as the Ottawa Senators downed the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 before a disappointed crowd of more than 50,000 people Sunday in the NHL Heritage Classic. "It means a lot," said Ceci, a 20-year-old Ottawa native. "These are points that we need right now going down the stretch, and it means a lot to me. Im just trying to earn my spot here." The Senators (27-23-11) posted their first win in three games and kept pace in the race for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Canucks (28-25-10) suffered their ninth loss in 10 games and remained on the bubble in their quest for eighth in the Western Conference. Ceci put the Senators ahead 3-2 midway through the second. The defenceman moved up, took a pass from Jason Spezza, and fired home a shot from right wing on a three-on-two rush. He helped the Sens make a classic comeback as they produced four unanswered goals after trailing 2-0 in the first five minutes. The score was tied 2-2 after the first period before Ceci decided the outcome in the second and Greening closed out the scoring in the third. "I think it was huge that we tied the game before going into the intermission," said Ceci. "That was big for us, just because weve had it tough lately before the (Olympic) break and the game right after it." The Senators bounced back from a humiliating 6-1 home loss to Detroit on Thursday in their first game after the Olympic break. Ceci went minus-2 in the loss. "Its great to be young," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "They have short memories." Both of Cecis goals this season have been game-winners. He led the Sens to a win over St. Louis in mid-December. Clarke MacArthur, Erik Karlsson and Colin Greening, into an empty net with 1:33 left in the game, also scored for Ottawa. Jason Garrison and Zack Kassian scored for the Canucks before Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson shut them out the rest of the game. Anderson, who appeared to have little difficulty playing in a stadium venue with different lighting than a traditional arena, posted his 20th win of the season, recording 29 saves as Vancouver outshot the Sens 31-28. MacLean praised Anderson for making difficult saves look easy, but the goaltenders calm demeanour between the pipes defied how he actually felt at the outset of the game. "It was one of those things where you have the butterflies going and the nerves going," he said. "Everythings just a little bit different than your usual normal routine. a Its a big win for us and its a great venue and its one of those things that well be smiling about for while, because its kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Canucks goalie Eddie Lack, who appeared to be fighting the puck at times and gave up more rebounds than usual, suffered the loss as he drew his third consecutive start following the NHLs Olympic break. Nominal No. 1 Roberto Luongo watched from the bench while sportingg a toque and replica vintage pads and gloves.dddddddddddd Vancouver coach John Tortorella spent much of his post-game news conference talking about his goaltending decision rather than Vancouvers continued scoring struggles, which were made worse by Daniel Sedins departure due to injury in the second period. "Before this game, the way Eddie was playing, I thought (he) was our best chance to get these two points," said Tortorella. Fans chanted for Luongo during the game but Tortorella, who said he didnt notice the crowd activities, stuck with Lack. The coach said Luongo was angry about the decision, but believes the veteran goaltender will use the sit-down as motivation. "I thought (Lack) looked not himself, but he made some big saves, too," said Tortorella. "Im sure hed like to have that third one back." The game was designed as a tribute to the 1915 Stanley Cup final series between the eventual-champion Vancouver Millionaires and Ottawa Senators. The Canucks wore maroon and cream-coloured replica Millionaires jerseys while the Senators sported duds similar to those of their predecessors. Coaches wore varsity-styled jackets rather than their usual suits. "It was a pretty cool setting, just to have that many people watch the game, and it was loud all game long," said Ceci. "We were in Vancouver, but there was a lot of Ottawa fans, so its good to see fans come out all that way." The NHLs outdoor series was forced to go indoors as the B.C. Place Stadium roof was closed due to rain. The weather teased Vancouver and Ottawa players who had hoped the roof would remain open. "I was glad (organizers) had the option to close it, because it probably would have ruined the game if it was raining out," said Spezza. "The ice got bad as it was with it closed." While the main goal was to get two points, Spezza enjoyed playing the role of spoiler before the large crowd. "There was so much hype around the game and so much talk about it," he said. "Its nice to get the win. It makes it more enjoyable for everybody, our families included. We dont have to tippy-toe around tonight." Spezza, who provided a nifty backhand pass on Cecis winning goal, hopes the win is also the start of Ottawas march to the playoffs. "We had a tough one against Detroit," he said. "It was a very important game, and we knew that we needed this one." Tortorella felt the loss of Daniel Sedin, who was hurt in a collision with Ottawa defenceman Marc Methot affected his team offensively because lines had to be juggled. His twin brother Henrik was less than pleased with the outcome. "Thats a game we should have won," he said. Notes: Canadian music star Sarah McLachlan sang the national anthem. aMembers of the 1994 Canucks team that reached the Stanley Cup final and Canadas 2014 Olympic gold-medal-winning womens hockey squad were saluted before the game. a NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance. a The stadiums field was covered with fake snow and featured vintage Vancouver and Ottawa logos. 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