Broncos CB Bailey prepared for Ochocinco

ENGLEWOOD • For all the talk about Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco’s potential resurgence this season, the cornerback who will cover him Sunday also has a little to prove.

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, 31, is coming off a down year. A groin injury cost Bailey seven games and he missed the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1999, when he was a rookie.

“Every year you try to prove yourself,” Bailey said. “I set my level so high, as far as where I want to be. I want to be the best ever. I’ve got to do that every week, every game, so I’m always out trying to prove something.”

To Bailey, there’s no better way to start the season than against Ochocinco, a five-time Pro Bowler. Ochocinco is also the class clown of the NFL, and posted a Twitter message warning Bailey “storms coming!!!!!!!!!!”

“That’s how he is,” said Bailey, who is entertained by Ochocinco’s banter on the field. “I expect his best shot.”

Bailey remembers the last time he played Ochocinco in Cincinnati. Ochocinco had seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in a 2004 Bengals win. Bailey said he didn’t think he had a bad game, citing an interception, but he gave up a couple of big plays he wanted back.

“I never lost my confidence over that,” Bailey said. “I just know when you play a guy like that and a quarterback like that, you’ve got to be on top of your game every play.”