AP

Count Richard Sherman among the admirers of longtime star Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey.

At his Sunday press conference, Sherman, the Seahawks’ standout cornerback, said Bailey is one of the players he has studied as he tried to improve his game.

“I think he’s going to be a Hall of Famer once his career is done,” Sherman said of Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler who’s making his first-ever Super Bowl appearance in his 15th season in the league.

“He’s kind of laid out the base work to be a lockdown corner in this league. He did it for a long time, and he’s still doing it. For him to get to a Super Bowl I think is a great accomplishment for him, especially in 15 years in the game, man. That’s not easy to do.

“I think you’ve got to tip your hat off to him.”