A "Champ" Gone...Denver leaves Bailey in the Dust

Reports broke last night that Denver planned on releasing 12 time pro bowler Champ Bailey after 10 seasons with the Broncos. What's more surprising....Denver has no plans to rework a deal with the starting corner to keep him on their roster.

After a season low of five starts because of a recurring foot injury, Champ was determined to come back from his injury and play in his first Super Bowl appearance in Superbowl XLVIII. Bailey currently had a $1million roster bonus coming up in March, and cutting Bailey will reportedly save the Broncos $10 million in cap space.

Even after talks that Champ should retire, or that he is too old to play, Bailey has no intentions of retiring. "I'm going to still play, absolutely. I'm looking forward to it."

Several of the Champs teammates in Denver, including safety Mike Adams are actively showing their disappointment via Twitter in the Broncos decision.

Adams was joined by defensive back David Bruton

Many believe that Champs cut will help make room for Denver's Corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who becomes a unrestricted free agent on March 11th. 

Although Denver will not pay Bailey for his 11th year, five years after his retirement the Broncos expect to induct Bailey into their Ring of Fame. 

"It's a little bittersweet," Bailey said. "I'm excited. At the same time I'm a little disappointed it has to end here. Nothing to cry about. Let's move one."

Onto the AFC Championship

The Denver Broncos played their "first round" of the playoffs against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

Leading into the game, bronco fans kept flashing back to exactly one year earlier when Denver lost with seconds left against the Baltimore Ravins. This time was a little different, Denver came out with a 24-17 win. The broncos went into the fourth quarter with a 17-0 lead when suddenly Denver's defense looked tired, worn out, and defeated. Denver's cornerback Chris Harris Jr went out of the game with a torn ACL, and Philip Rivers took advantage by scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos offense wasn't going to let a repeat of last season happen again, and scored a final 7 points to send them to the title game for the first time in eight seasons. They'll host the New England Patriots on Sunday 1/19 at 3pm EST. The last time the two teams faced each other the broncos managed to blow a 24 point lead and lose in overtime.

As the broncos prepare for the game on sunday, there's no doubt that it will be a showdown between two future hall of fame quarterbacks.