National Football League

Bailey ready to face receiver he once helped groom

Published Oct. 21, 2011 6:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

Champ Bailey took the raw yet explosive young wide receiver under his wing and gave him insight into the mind of an NFL defensive back.

Brandon Marshall was an apt student when he was with the Denver Broncos, absorbing Bailey's suggestions and helpful hints each day on the practice field. He was receiving a first-rate education from one of the top cover corners in the league.

Now, the mercurial Miami Dolphins receiver gets to use Bailey's extensive tutorial sessions against him when the two square off Sunday in Miami.

But Bailey didn't teach Marshall everything. The perennial Pro Bowler still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Not only that, but Bailey also learned just as much from Marshall, who blossomed into an elite receiver during his four-year stint in the Mile High City before being dealt to the Dolphins before last season.

''Obviously, he's playing better than he did when he was here,'' said Bailey, who along with former Broncos standout receiver Rod Smith helped mentor Marshall. ''You can tell he's more defined in his routes. He's a better player.''

Bailey takes a measure of pride in Marshall's success. With a blend of speed, strength and size, Marshall has become difficult to cover.

The 33-year-old Bailey figures the best way to stop Marshall is to prevent him from catching the ball in the first place.

''There's no receiver in the league that runs like he does when he has the ball, especially somebody that's as big as he is,'' Bailey said. ''That's going to be challenging for all of us, including myself.''

Marshall was quite a find for the Broncos, a fourth-round pick in 2006 who caught at least 100 passes in three consecutive years in Denver and twice made the Pro Bowl.

But the high-maintenance receiver wore out his welcome in large part because of his legal troubles, which precipitated his trade to the Dolphins.

He's thriving in South Beach, catching 86 passes for 1,014 yards in his first season with Miami. This year, even with the Dolphins offense struggling, he still has 28 catches for 422 yards.

However, his touchdown production has been on the decline. Marshall hauled in 25 TD passes while with the Broncos, including 10 in 2009, but had just three last season and only one so far in 2011.

''There's no question, he's a talent,'' Broncos coach John Fox said.

And still as loquacious as ever. Last week, Marshall pledged to get thrown out of the game against the New York Jets on Monday night, maybe even through a skirmish with Jets linebacker Bart Scott or cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

It didn't happen.

Instead, Marshall hauled in six passes for 109 yards, some of that against Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who's considered by many the gold standard at the position.

Next up, the tutor who assisted in showing him the ropes.

''We've worked a lot together, so I know him a little bit, and he knows me,'' Bailey said. ''He's grown up a lot. He's matured a lot.''

The Broncos insist there are no hard feelings or extra motivation as they face Marshall, who always kept things lively in their locker room.

Marshall's time in the city will be remembered for his big-play ability - he caught an NFL-record 21 passes against Indianapolis in 2009 - along with his transgressions off the field clouding his talent on it.

In March 2009, Marshall was arrested in Atlanta on misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a fight with his then-fiancee. The charges were dropped when both refused to testify.

Marshall also was involved in a New Year's Eve fight that led to the 2007 drive-by slaying of Broncos teammate Darrent Williams.

For the final game of the `09 season, Marshall was suspended by then-coach Josh McDaniels after arriving late for a treatment session for a sprained ankle that the Broncos felt he was exaggerating.

Soon after, he was sent packing.

This summer, Marshall disclosed he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which has been known to stem from things such as unstable personal relationships, a negative self-image and a fear of failure. He went public with the issue to raise awareness.

With Marshall now on the other sideline, the Broncos have to figure out a way to contain him.

''I know what he brings to the game,'' Broncos safety Brian Dawkins said. ''He's going to go up and challenge for balls when they're in the air, he's going to push you off, he's going to be a physical guy - that's who he is. That's what we expect from him. I don't expect anything different from him.

''Just because it's us, I don't expect to see anything different than what I've already seen on film and that's a very aggressive receiver.''

One that Bailey had a hand in molding.

''The frustrating part about it is that I think I taught him a little bit,'' Bailey said. ''He picked my brain a little bit, and I actually learned some stuff from him, as well.

''It's all about who's bringing their best game that day.''

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AP Sports Writer Pat Graham can be reached at http://twitter.com/pgraham34