Despite it's title, this blog was never intended to be solely about the Mets, especially when there would be Jets or Rangers business to discuss. So let me just say that the Darrelle Revis situation makes me sick. Revis is unquestionably an outstanding player, and hands down the most valuable player on the Jets. However, his actions and his demands are flat out ridiculous, and if this is the person he is, let him go.
The heart of this problem is really the 3 year, $45.3 million deal the Raiders signed Nnamdi Asomugha to prior to the 2009 season. Revis claimed today “It could be 50 cents more. Give me 50 cents more, and we’ll be OK," in response to a reporter's question of whether he'd be happy with a deal worth 1 dollar more than Asomugha's. The issue Revis is clearly ignoring here is that Asomugha's deal absolutely crippled the Raiders cap-wise, and so he sits on a team that considered it a moral victory to get to 5-11 this year. Based on statements Revis has made about Mangold, Ferguson, and Harris - who are also seeking new deals - it would seem that either he has no idea how the salary cap works, or he's just contradicting himself. “It’s not just me. It’s a lot of guys,” Revis said. “They tell us we’re the core guys of this team, so why are you not treating us as one of the core guys?” It seems Revis doesn't have the basic understanding that if the Jets are to pay him more than $15.3M a year, they won't have the money to surround him with other Pro-Bowl caliber veterans like Mangold, Ferguson, and Harris. On top of that, what happens if all our dreams come true, and Shonn Greene carries his postseason momentum into a 1500 yard season this year? You think he won't be asking for a new deal next spring? It would appear Revis doesn't understand how a winning football team is constructed in a salary cap era, or worse, he doesn't care, and just wants to get paid.
For right now, we can all hope that Rex will work his magic on Revis, and convince him that the team is more important than his ego and desire to be the highest paid CB in the league. Unfortunately, all signs are pointing away from this direction, and at that point, I say let him go, and get back what you can. As great as Revis is, a successful defense is a unit, and I trust that Rex will adjust. He took Chris McAlister and made him into an All-Pro, and he can do the same with Lowery, Cromartie, or a player yet to be drafted. No player is more important than the team, and if Revis can't learn that lesson, let him follow in the footsteps of TO, DeAngelo Hall, and the rest; players who had the chance to be more than solo artists but wouldn't allow their egos and wallets to sacrifice for the good of the team. I just hope it doesn't have to come to that.
Injury Notes: Garrett, Davis, Lowe, Verlander
3 hours ago
Dude, don't tell me you don't see Revis' side of this whole thing? You have Sexy Rexy spouting his mouth all season about how he is the greatest corner in the league and how he had one of the greatest defensive season's of all time. Then I believe the Jets had even expressed to Revis that they would be willing to scrap his current contract and start a new. However, now they don't want to pay the guy what he is worth?
ReplyDeleteLook at what happened to Leon Washington and Alan Faneca with the Jets. Washington got injured, never got his pay day (which is his own fault) and was traded away. Faneca, a respected veteran, was released. At the time, many of the Jets veteran players were upset by those moves. I'm not going to cry for Washington or Faneca because they made and will make their money. However, you can bet that Revis, Harris, Mangold and Ferguson are going to go after every single dollar they can after seeing how Washington and Faneca ended up.
Revis' comments are pretty dumb sometimes. However, you can't be serious in saying they should let him go. At this point, he's the best corner in football obvi. He totally changes the way Rex is able to scheme his D. One guy totally shuts down the #1 receiving option of the opponent. If you lose Revis, the way the Jets play D is going to have to totally change.
Bottom line, if the Jets coach and owner want to talk up the team like they are the best story in the NFL, the most interesting team, and have the best corner in the history of the NFL, they need to pay the guy.
About the cap, does anyone really know what is going to happen next season? Isn't everything up in the air?
As I stated in my post, the biggest issue is how ridiculous Asomugha's contract is. To give a single player that much of the cap is ridiculous. Say the cap is $130M in 2011, you think giving one player on a 60 man roster around 12 percent of that cap is a smart move? No cornerback is worth that, I'm sorry, and for Revis to not see that is selfish, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWould the Jets defense suffer without Revis? Most likely, but they also have the personnel to switch to more zone and they could still find success. In 2008, Rex's defense ranked 2nd in the NFL against the pass without any "star" cornerbacks (in fact, no corner even started more than 12 games), and a front 7 that was remarkably similar to that of the Jets (with a healthy Jenkins) - so to assume the Jets D would just roll over and fold without Revis is ridiculous. A shutdown corner is certainly a great thing to have, but it's not like a team can't win a Super Bowl without one. I'll firmly stand pat on Revis not being worth $15M per season, unless the cap is suddenly going to be $180M in 2011.
To put it on simplest terms - which Jets team is better: one with Revis, but without three of Mangold, Ferguson, Santonio Holmes, Cromartie, Edwards Harris, and Shonn Greene in 2012? Or one with all those guys and no Revis? You be the judge.
Yes, you can blame Al Davis for the Asomugha contract.
ReplyDeleteI don't know enough about the cap scenario but it seems to me like the Jets need to get this straightened out soon.
I'll take your word for it that Rex could pull a rabbit out of a hat and still have a ridiculous defense without Revis. However, didn't Rex Ryan have both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on his previous defenses? I'd say that helps a tad.
I know you know more about the Jets than I do but I think you have to put some of the blame on Rex here and the Jets management.