When the New York Jets traded away cornerback Darrelle Revis, their priority became to somehow replace him in the NFL Draft. Well, they assessed that need immediately by drafting former Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner No. 9 overall. Jets fans rejoiced as the heir to the Revis throne had just been selected. While Milliner is expected to step in and be effective immediately, Alabama head coach asks the media to stop with the comparisons and just let "Dee be Dee."
Saban was present during the first round of the draft as three Alabama players were selected in the first round. Milliner got the ball rolling when the Jets drafted him and two of his teammates followed immediately after. It has become a tradition for Saban to be present at Radio City the past few years. He has seen a large number of his players get drafted in the top 32. He spoke with media and got a little upset when the comparisons between Milliner and Revis began to be tossed around.
"I can already tell the tone of what you all are doing. What's Revis got to do with Dee Milliner coming here? Jet let Dee Milliner be Dee Milliner," Saban said. "Let Dee Milliner play like Dee Milliner plays. Whether Revis used to play there or not, what's that got to do with Dee Milliner? Why do you want to make comparisons and make it like a circumstance for the guy before he even gets a chance to go on the field?"
Milliner will get the Revis comparison whether Saban likes it or not because he is filling the whole left by the cornerback that departed for Tampa Bay earlier this month. Saban hopes that Jets fans realize they are two different players and Milliner will be more successful if they stop expecting him to be something he is not.
Milliner gave a lot of credit to Saban for getting him to become a first-round draft pick. In his introductory press conference with New York, he said between Saban and playing in the SEC, he was able to become a better player every day.
"It helps out a lot. To have a coach that coached in the NFL and knows what we can expect when we get to the league. The way we work to get better each day, the offensive and defensive schemes, the caliber of teams that we go up against in the SEC each week," Milliner said.
If Milliner plays to the ability that everyone believes he can, Jets fans will stop comparing. In fact, they will likely forget all about Revis and think only of Milliner.
Click here to see the full Nick Saban press conference at the 2013 NFL Draft