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Rookie LB Bailey hopes to make impact with Lions

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Posted 6:23AM on Saturday 26th July 2003 ( 21 years ago )
ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN - Boss Bailey isn&#39;t setting any big-time goals for himself quite yet. <br> <br> But that doesn&#39;t mean the Detroit Lions&#39; second-round pick isn&#39;t hoping for big things during his rookie year. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m hoping that I&#39;ll be starting at the beginning of the season,&#39;&#39; Bailey said after his second day of training camp. ``But if I&#39;m not, I want to be out on the field on every special teams unit so that I can help the team as much as possible.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The linebacker was drafted 34th overall out of Georgia, and new Lions coach Steve Mariucci hopes that he can move right into the starting lineup. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re going to teach him and drill him and prepare him as quickly as we possibly can to see if he could be a starter for us,&#39;&#39; Mariucci said. ``He has a lot to learn. He&#39;s not a big, thick, overpowering linebacker, but he has to be able to play opposite the big, strong tight ends in the National Football League.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The biggest knock on Bailey coming out of school was that he was undersized at 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, but Mariucci thinks his 4.3 speed will make up for that. <br> <br> ``We had a guy, Julian Peterson, from just down the street here (Michigan State) in San Francisco that was a fast, athletic 235-pound linebacker, and he learned the position,&#39;&#39; Mariucci said. ``You just have to be smart about how you use them, but it is great to have that kind of speed.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Friday was the final day of practice before the veterans arrive, but Bailey thought the two days were important for his progress. <br> <br> ``Just from yesterday to today is like the difference between night and day,&#39;&#39; he said. ``But it will be a whole different ballgame when the veterans get here tomorrow and when we put on the pads Monday. That is what is going to separate the men from the boys.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Bailey is the brother of Washington Redskins All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, and said that he got some important advice on his first training camp. <br> <br> ``Whenever I need to know something, he&#39;s been there to tell me,&#39;&#39; Bailey said. ``But at some point, I have to learn all of this on my own.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Mainly, though, Bailey is trying to keep his own expectations in check. <br> <br> ``I&#39;ve only really set goals for myself in training camp,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I don&#39;t need to put that kind of added pressure on myself.&#39;&#39;

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