In a Broncos season defined by miracles, it's hard to imagine anyone (besides Tim Tebow's book publisher) enjoying it more than cornerback Champ Bailey.
Back in early October, Bailey was wasting away the back end of his prime with a 1-4 team going nowhere. Then Tebow showed up, and everything instantly changed.
"It's been unbelievable in so many ways, because nobody knew what could happen, nobody gave us a chance," Bailey said this week on The Rich Eisen Podcast. "It's one of those things, let's see how it plays out. After being in the playoffs and winning a game, people are starting to give us a little credit."
This is Bailey's first trip to the playoffs since 2005. Last week, he was named to the Pro Bowl for the 11th time, extending his own record for cornerbacks. Even at 33, he remains a key part of a Denver defense that has been largely overlooked in the madness of Tebowmania.
"We don't get the credit I think we deserve, but at the same time, we don't care," Bailey said. "We are winning games. That's what it's all about; it's a team sport. Tebow, he's getting a lot of attention, but the more people watch him, the more people watch us."
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Bailey made it clear there's no resentment of the outrageously famous quarterback in the Broncos' locker room.
"He's one of our brothers, so we cheer for him," Bailey said. "We want him to get that attention. He handles it well, which makes it even easier for us to like him."
Tim Tebow vs. Tom Brady will be the focus of Saturday's divisional-round matchup at Gillette Stadium. But Tebow won't factor much if New England's offense carves up Denver like it did in Week 15. The spotlight might be on Tebow, but Bailey & Co. will have to be the stars.
