DENVER -- Champ Bailey spent a decade with the Denver Broncos, making eight Pro Bowls and picking off 34 passes even with quarterbacks only reluctantly glancing his way. Steve Nash Jersey . This number was hard to overlook: $10 million. In a cost-cutting move Thursday, the Broncos released Bailey, the teams defensive leader whos been a fan favourite since he was acquired in a trade with Washington in 2004. Theres simply no room for loyalty in the NFL, especially with free agency about to start and with holes needing to be filled, something that became apparent to the Broncos after a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl last month. Broncos boss John Elway called the decision to release Bailey a "difficult" one given all that the perennial Pro Bowl cornerback has brought to the team over his 10 seasons in the Mile High City. "Without question, hes among the best cornerbacks to ever play the game and one of the finest players in the history of the Broncos," Elway said in a statement. "You couldnt ask for more in a player than what Champ brought to this team. His combination of elite talent, class, leadership and competitiveness made him one of the all-time greats." But age and injuries had begun to catch up with one of the best shutdown cornerbacks to play the game. Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler overall, is scheduled to make around $10 million next season, which is a lot of money for a cornerback who may be asked to switch to safety or possibly inside to the slot position. This was a hard season for the 35-year-old Bailey as he missed 11 games because of a nagging left foot sprain originally suffered in the preseason on Aug. 17 in Seattle. Only later did Bailey reveal he sustained a Lisfranc injury. He returned late in the season to help the Broncos advance to the Super Bowl, but wasnt back to his old form -- the form that had QBs scanning everywhere but his direction. In his prime, Bailey wasnt always very busy because opponents simply picked on his counterpart. And yet he still has 52 career interceptions, the most among active cornerbacks. "I consider it a privilege to have coached Champ these last three years," Broncos coach John Fox said. "Theres no doubt he played an integral role in establishing a culture of winning here. "Aside from his natural ability, Champ set a great example with his hard work and relentless commitment to mastering his craft." The 15-year veteran mentored many teammates, teaching them the tricks of the cornerback trade. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, an impending free agent, once said he used to study film of Bailey simply because, "If youre a cornerback, you have to be a fan of Champ Bailey. Anytime a guy does that for a period of time he did it, 14 or 15 years, youve got to watch him." Rodgers-Cromartie and Bailey were supposed to be a lockdown tandem in 2013. Until Bailey got hurt. So in stepped Chris Harris Jr., an undrafted player out of Kansas who soaked up all of Baileys suggestions as he waited his turn. Once he got on the field, Harris became almost a copy of Bailey -- or as much as anyone can be. Harris blew out a knee against San Diego in the divisional round, leading to Baileys return to his usual spot at left corner. On his Twitter account, Harris thanked Bailey for his help, saying he was blessed to be able to "lineup opposite Champ and learn from a Great." Harris wasnt alone in his praise, with linebacker Danny Trevathan posting on Twitter: "Champ. You taught me a lot!" Although quarterbacks didnt always pick on him, Bailey still found a way to get involved. He prided himself on his tackling and frequently crept up to the line of scrimmage to help out. In 215 regular-season games, Bailey has 983 tackles, three sacks, nine forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. His best statistical season was 2006, when he had a career-high 10 interceptions and finished as runner-up for The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. About the only thing that eluded Bailey in his time with Denver was that Super Bowl ring. But Elway said there is a "ring" in Baileys future because Elway said hes going to have a place in the teams Ring of Fame once his career is finished. Maybe down the road there will be a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too, which would make him the first Denver defensive player to be enshrined. "On behalf of everyone with the Broncos, I wish Champ all the best and thank him for everything he did for this franchise," Elway said. "Champ will always be a Bronco." Dwight Powell Mavericks Jersey .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. Dwight Powell Jersey . The Thunder earned the Game 1 win with a 100-86 victory Saturday night. Oklahoma City dominated the first half and led by 22 at the break, but saw its lead shrink to just two points in the fourth quarter. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/dirk-nowitzki-mavericks-jersey/ . The trade deadline is Monday, Mar. 2 at 3pm et/Noon pt. TRADES COMPLETED SINCE OCT. 1, 2014: Feb. 15, 2015 Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: F Olli Jokinen, F Brendan Leipsic, 1st Round Pick (2015) Nashville Predators acquire: D Cody Franson, F Mike Santorelli Feb.MINNEAPOLIS -- Joe Mauer will move from catcher to first base on a full-time basis for the Minnesota Twins, hoping to avoid a repeat of the concussion that cut short his 2013 season. The Twins announced the switch on Monday for the 30-year-old Mauer, who missed the last six weeks of the schedule recovering from his head injury. He took a foul tip off the mask on Aug. 19. During a conference call with reporters, Mauer said hes feeling fine and symptom-free, having begun his off-season workouts. The sensitivity to light and noise, irritable moods and headaches lingered into October, however, prompting him to seek medical advice from Mayo Clinic doctors and team physicians about the prospect of continuing to play behind the plate. "When I kept gathering information, to be honest with you, it wasnt really even a decision," said Mauer, who is signed through 2018 with $115 million remaining on his contract. "I kept searching to see if it was going to be OK, if it was going to be safe for me to go back there and catch, and I just wasnt finding that." He added: "All it could take is one foul tip in pitchers batting practice, and Im out for two or three months or even more." Twins general manager Terry Ryan said the organization wouldve supported whatever Mauer decided was best, even if he felt he could keep playing the position with the most inherent injury risk of anywhere on the field. "Im happy that hes chosen to make the transition, but had he decided that he wanted to catch Im not sure that anybody was going to stand in his way," Ryan said. Ryan, who traded Mauers close friend, first baseman Justin Morneau, a couple of weeks after Mauer was hurt, acknowledged this move makes the potential pursuit of Morneau in free agency improbable. Mauer won the Silver Slugger award for American League catchers this year after batting .324 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs in 113 games. Taken by the Twins, his hometown team, with the first pick in the 2001 draft and given the job as a 20-year-old to start the 2004 season, Mauer has been the catcher in 920 games. "I really enjoy going out there and competing, and Im thankful still be able to do that. ... But its frustrating it had to end sooner than I anticipated," he said. Mauer has three Gold Gloves, three batting titles, six All-Star game selections and the 2009 AL MVP award as a catcher. Can he amass similar accolades at a position crowdeed with top hitters is to be seen. Luka Doncic Jersey. As for the effect on the value of his $23 million annual salary, his rotisserie league worth or his Hall of Fame credentials, well, Mauer predictably said hes not worried about any of that. First theres his family, including wife Maddie and twin infant girls Emily and Maren. Then theres the Twins, who are better off with a healthy Mauer at first base than with an injured Mauer at catcher. The men behind the mask took quite a beating around the majors this season, with Detroits Alex Avila, Oaklands John Jaso and Kansas Citys Salvador Perez all missing time due to concussions. "I had one when I was younger, but I probably had several that went undiagnosed. Youre just kind of wired to play through it," Mauer said. Mauer said he sustained "two significant blows" to his head that mid-August afternoon, a makeup game against the New York Mets from April rendered meaningless with both teams buried in the playoff race. With problems with his back and legs behind him, Mauer had been feeling as fit and strong as ever the last two years. "We wouldnt be having this conversation if I didnt have that concussion," he said. Former Twins catcher A.J. Pierzynski is among the veteran free agents available this winter, but Ryan said his priority is starting pitching. Josmil Pinto showed some potential after Mauer was out, and Ryan Doumit has plenty of experience. Other options are Chris Herrmann and Eric Fryer. Mauer has played 56 games at first base in his career, committing four errors in 536 chances for a sparkling .993 fielding percentage. The natural athleticism that made him a standout point guard and quarterback in high school serves him well anywhere on the baseball field, and he ought to be able to pick up defensively where Morneau left off. Where Mauer cant match Morneau is with raw power, long widely considered the most important asset at first base, but Mauer has a career .873 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 20th among all active players regardless of position. With increased availability and fresher legs, he could easily recalibrate his annual average of roughly 10 home runs. Mauer spoke with Morneau shortly before he addressed the media. "He was a catcher way back in the day, and he said, Youre going to be amazed at how much better you feel," Mauer said. "Im looking forward to that." ' ' '