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High grades from draft analysts on a draft pick are always affirming.
Fan excitement over a pick is crucial for future interest in the team’s success.
Praise from the media is a nice ego stroke for the player and team.
But endorsements from Hall-of-Famers at the same position...now that’s something to pay attention to.
And that’s exactly what Patrick Surtain II got from former Broncos’ cornerback and recent first-ballot Hall-of-Famer Champ Bailey.
“The guy is special,” Bailey said.
Bailey was seemingly picking up on the vibe in Broncos Country that the Surtain pick was disappointing - presumably because it wasn’t Justin Fields, who was available, and because it was a position full of starters currently.
But if last year’s experience of digging down to the 10th cornerback just to get through the season isn’t enough of a reminder how important corners are, Bailey reminded Broncos Country to remember how much the team relied on its defensive backs to win a championship.
“I don’t see a time in history when you’ve been very successful without good corners — especially special ones,” he said. “You look at the recent Broncos. I mean, we really won a Super Bowl because of our secondary, right?”
Bailey also alluded to the offensive powerhouses the Broncos face twice a season in the Chiefs and even Chargers.
“It’s unbelievable the people don’t appreciate cornerbacks, even in this day with the way offenses are.”
“Everybody just needs to have confidence in the guy. The guy is special. Give him a chance to show what he can do.”@champbailey sees shades of himself, Hall of Fame potential in @PatSurtainll » https://t.co/5PeXVKxojI pic.twitter.com/OfWAvoLSo6
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 1, 2021