February 2, 200521 yr The Miami Dolphins have granted three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain permission to seek a trade, according to his agent, Gary Uberstine. "I've come to realize, it's a business," Surtain said. "I've had seven great years in Miami, but I think it's time for a change." Surtain, sensing the team may not be able to structure a long-term contract extension to keep him, asked Monday to be traded. Coach Nick Saban responded by granting him permission to talk with other clubs about such a move. Surtain could represent a strong value for the Dolphins on the trade market. "The Dolphins didn't set any perimeters as far as draft choices or players in a trade, only that they would entertain offers for Patrick," Uberstine said. "At the age of 28, we think Patrick should draw a lot of interest. He's been to three consecutive Pro Bowls, and he's a shutdown cornerback at a good age." Surtain is entering the final year of a contract that pays him $6.15 million in 2005 and has a cap number of $8.383 million. Because the Dolphins are more than $16 million over the projected $85.5 million cap, they are looking to either restructure contracts or release players. "It doesn't surprise me because of their cap situation," Surtain said of the Dolphins' willingness to trade him. "I've been trying to get an extension for a couple of years. When I couldn't get one, I felt my days in Miami were going to end. Really, with the drafting of Will Poole, the signing of Reggie Howard and having an established guy like Sam, they had commitments to them. "With me, it's the last year of my deal and my cap number is so high. If there was a casualty, it was going to be me. It's a business and I realize that." Over the past five seasons, Surtain has 25 interceptions, seven more than any other cornerback during the same period. "Whatever team I go to is going to be happy," Surtain said. "I will try to get that team to the pinnacle of football. At the same time, I would want to be taken care of like one of the top players at your position, so I should be compensated. "At 28, I feel good. It's been said by the organization that I didn't take care of my body and that I'm injury prone. During my seven-year career, I only missed four games. That's pretty healthy to me, and with me still being 28, my best football is ahead of me." John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
February 2, 200521 yr Something tells me that the Patriots will not recieve Pat Surtain in a trade from the Dolphins. I forsee an NFC team out west, as far away from the Phins as possible, you dont want him coming back to haunt you. I would hate to see Surtain go, but if he does go how about Surtain and Booker for Riggity Randy Moss
February 2, 200521 yr Patriots :shifty 674741[/snapback] Law-Surtain-Harrison-Belichick is not a combination i'd like to face brrrr...
February 2, 200521 yr Patriots :shifty 674741[/snapback] Law-Surtain-Harrison-Belichick is not a combination i'd like to face brrrr... 674899[/snapback] Yeah, I'm sure the Fins are just jumping at the chance to trade their best DB to a division rival. :plain
February 2, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade. How does that work? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams? What's going on here? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow.
February 2, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade. How does that work? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams? What's going on here? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow. 675213[/snapback] The agent for the player seeking a trade negotiates with GMs. When they have an offer they relay it to the team he is currently on and seeks approval. Basically its who can offer the best deal.
February 2, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade. How does that work? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams? What's going on here? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow. 675213[/snapback] And Nick Saban will donkey punch Patrick Surtain.
February 2, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade.? How does that work?? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal?? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams?? What's going on here?? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow. 675213[/snapback] The agent for the player seeking a trade negotiates with GMs. When they have an offer they relay it to the team he is currently on and seeks approval. Basically its who can offer the best deal. 675217[/snapback] See, if I'm a team, I don't want the agent doing my negotiations. I know what I need and what I'm willing to give up better than the agent. Plus, I'd like to think I could extract more concessions from my trading partner than this agent who has nothing to do with the organization. AND...it's not in the agent's interest to get the best deal for the team. His client wants to play on a good team, and the less his new team has to give up, the better for him. The agent doesn't give a damn how the Dolphins make out. Granted, I'm sure there's a minimum threshold the trade must meet for the Dolphins to pull the trigger, but it's in the agent's interest to shoot for the minimum, and no further. This seems to me like a crappy way to do business.
February 2, 200521 yr An agent is looking for the place that blends the chance at winning with the amount of money to be made. I'd bet that Philly and San Diego are the highest on the list because they have tons of cap room and good chances at winning. Also, I'd take one of San Diego's first round choices off their hands (most likely their #28).
February 2, 200521 yr Patriots? :shifty 674741[/snapback] Law-Surtain-Harrison-Belichick is not a combination i'd like to face brrrr... 674899[/snapback] Yeah, I'm sure the Fins are just jumping at the chance to trade their best DB to a division rival. :plain 675193[/snapback] i never said i thought he was going there just replyin to Rebirth's post if he goes to minnesota, fins could see moss in the return. Obviously they'd have to offer more than just surtain. GB is definitely another good possiblity. If Favre retires the packers might do it just to appease the fans. He'll probably go to one of those 2 teams, I think.
February 3, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade. How does that work? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams? What's going on here? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow. 675213[/snapback] And Nick Saban will donkey punch Patrick Surtain. 675221[/snapback] You did not just say donkey punch. :lol
February 3, 200521 yr I always find it weird when teams allow players to seek a trade.? How does that work?? Are the players calling GMs and negotiating the terms of the deal?? Do they just gauge interest, and then call their own GM, and tell him to talk to the other teams?? What's going on here?? Obviously, the agent is doing most of this, but that doesn't make it any less odd. If I were Patrick, I'd offer myself to the Pats for a bag of peanuts and a snowplow. 675213[/snapback] The agent for the player seeking a trade negotiates with GMs. When they have an offer they relay it to the team he is currently on and seeks approval. Basically its who can offer the best deal. 675217[/snapback] See, if I'm a team, I don't want the agent doing my negotiations. I know what I need and what I'm willing to give up better than the agent. Plus, I'd like to think I could extract more concessions from my trading partner than this agent who has nothing to do with the organization. AND...it's not in the agent's interest to get the best deal for the team. His client wants to play on a good team, and the less his new team has to give up, the better for him. The agent doesn't give a damn how the Dolphins make out. Granted, I'm sure there's a minimum threshold the trade must meet for the Dolphins to pull the trigger, but it's in the agent's interest to shoot for the minimum, and no further. This seems to me like a crappy way to do business. 675367[/snapback] The agent doesn't handle trade negotiations. When a player asks for permission to seek a trade, they are seeking a waiver to the league's laws against player tampering. The agent can discuss with other teams the type of situation their player is looking for and what, if any, extension he wants. The team that holds his rights can then negotiate the best trade among the interested clubs.
February 3, 200521 yr Let him come to Oakland, I think he could be cheaper than C Wood so the Raiders could use that extra money to do something else, like resigning Porter.
February 3, 200521 yr I hate to see him go, but this is a step in the right direction. Let's hope he isn't the only getting - old defender to be on his way out.
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