I must admit, I often get caught up in these types of frenzies in regards to trading a player and picking up the ever popular high draft pick, but, lets not forget how good Patrick actually is.
Since 1999:
Champ Bailey - 21 picks / 71 def. He will be 27 in a couple months.
Dre Bly - 24 picks / 57 def. He will be 28 in a couple months.
Chris McAlister - 15 picks / 71 def. He will be 28 in the summer.
Mike McKenzie - 20 picks / 62 def. He will be 29 shortly after the draft. (And was acquired for a 2nd round pick last year)
Patrick Surtain - 27 picks / 50 def. He will turn 29 in the summer.
In an off year where he uncharacteristically dropped a few picks, he still came away with four.
Here is my point. How often do we see a reciever running well, anywhere, with the ball when Patrick Surtain has the primary coverage? I see Sam chasing players. Reggie chasing players. But never Patrick. It is almost like he is not on the field. It seems that way for a reason.
He is a true shutdown corner.
There are not many of those in the NFL. Now, when you have one, you better realize such. Patrick is younger than Mike McKenzie (acquired for a 2nd) and statistically more productive than Champ Bailey (Acquired for the equivolent of a high first and second).
We have not known the anguish of having a bad secondary since the years of watching Calvin Jackson and company give recievers fifteen yard cushions on their way to the endzone. Its not a great situation.
I have no doubt that Saban will do what is best for the organization. However, I just think it is important for people to realize what we have and understand the grass is not always greener.
