Lions Work Out Champ Bailey
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - The Detroit Lions worked out veteran cornerback Champ Bailey on Thursday, just a few days before the team opens its season on Monday Night Football.
A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, Bailey spent the first five years as a Washington Redskin and the next decade with the Denver Broncos. There have been some questions about how much the 36-year-old has left to give a team, but Lions safety Glover Quin said Bailey could bring value to Detroit, and he said the fact Bailey still wants to play should allay some concerns about whether Bailey still can play.
"Experienced guy, veteran guy, Hall of Famer in my opinion, he could definitely bring that experience, that play-making ability, that leadership, all those things," Quin said. "He has a bunch of intangibles that he could bring to us."
"Just going off the player, I would think a player of his caliber, if he's still out here trying to play, he feels like he has something left," Quin added.
Bailey played in just five games for the Broncos last season because of a foot injury. After Denver released him in March, Bailey caught on with the New Orleans Saints, but they also let him go. Though unable to live up to his own high standard last season, Bailey is still known as one of the best to play the position.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell did not go into much detail about Bailey but acknowledged the Lions worked him out. He downplayed the significance of bringing in Bailey, saying the Lions work out players every week.
"We worked him out and had a good look at him, as well as several other guys," Caldwell said. "At this point, we are where we are."
Caldwell also remained vague on whether a player signed Thursday could contribute to the team Monday, saying it would depend on who the player was and what position he plays. In general, however, the coach expressed that there are still players out there who can - and will - add value to teams this season.
"There are probably several guys that are out there right now that are unsigned that's going to help somebody win a couple ball games this year - always happens," Caldwell said. "I can think back on numerous times where guys that we had brought in to kind of help us out along the way had provided a great lift for us, and I anticipate the same thing happening for somebody this year."
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the Lions liked what they saw from Bailey but have not locked him in yet.
Currently playing cornerback for the Lions are Rashean Mathis, Darius Slay, Bill Bentley, Nevin Lawson and Cassius Vaughn.
