This gives Jets the excuse they need to cut him.
Revis’ alleged role in street fight is final embarrassment
Darrelle Revis played two-hand touch for 17 weeks before finally getting physical. The aging, contact-averse cornerback’s involvement in a sketchy after-hours street fight on the South Side of Pittsburgh last weekend should prompt the Jets to make the most sensible decision: Cut this guy now before he embarrasses you more.
Revis’ play this season bounced between disgraceful and pathetic, but he crossed over into an altogether different realm with his alleged behavior in the wee hours of the night a few days ago.
Revis will be charged with robbery, terroristic threats, conspiracy and aggravated assault resulting from an ugly incident from which the Jets must distance themselves in a hurry.
According to a statement released by the Pittsburgh Police Department Thursday night, Revis was involved in an altercation on Sunday around 2:30 a.m. that resulted in two men losing consciousness after being punched on a street corner.
One of the men who recognized the seven-time Pro Bowler “began recording the interaction on his cell phone and continued to follow Revis,” according to the police statement, before Revis “snatched the cell phone away and attempted to delete the video.”
Revis threw the phone into the street before an argument ensued. Another man came to “assist” Revis before the other two men “state that they were punched.”
The police statement reveals that “witnesses state the two were unconscious for about 10 minutes” and “the Officers viewed the cellphone video and confirmed that the person was Revis.”
Revis’ attorney Blaine Jones told KDKA-TV that his client was assaulted by five men (shockingly, none were wide receivers) before the cornerback suffered injuries that required medical attention.
If it wasn’t bad enough that Revis embarrassed the organization with his half-hearted effort and awful production on fall Sundays last season, this is a stain that the organization simply doesn’t need.
As long as Revis remains on the roster, this will be a Jets problem too.
It would be annoying enough to deal with if Revis, you know, were actually still any good. Now that he’s become an overpaid liability, the choice to sign the divorce papers shouldn’t be difficult. Cut the cord. Arrivederci. Sayonara
Revis was a delusional, excuse-making mess in the second year of his blockbuster five-year, $70 million deal, playing like a disinterested wealthy man counting his money.
His propensity to shy away from contact was the soundtrack of his season. His lack of commitment − he came to training camp overweight despite collecting those checks from Woody Johnson − was inexcusable. His fading skills might have been understandable if not for his pathetic effort.
At times, it seemed as if Revis either purposely shied away from contact or actually believed that NFL rules makers had turned this sport into twohand touch. Either way, he was ineffective.
He bristled at criticism, refusing to admit what everyone blessed with the gift of eyesight plainly knew: His skills were eroding at a rapid pace.
Todd Bowles, assistant coaches and players were left to make excuses for the erstwhile difference maker. He just had a few hiccups, they contended with a straight face. He’s still a game-changer, they pleaded with their fingers crossed behind their backs.
By the end of the season, Revis was dropping hints about a position change to safety as if that would cure his aversion to contact and inconsistent effort. Thankfully for the Jets, only $6 million of the $39 million fully guaranteed in his mega deal remain. If the Jets were contemplating asking Revis to slice his $13 million base salary to $6 million (to cut his $15.3 million salary cap charge in 2017 in half), these latest developments in Western Pennsylvania should change their thinking.
Eat the money. Get rid of him. The poor saps who sign Revis will likely pay him the veteran minimum for 2017, so the Jets would be on the hook for about $5 million due to off-set language in his contract.
Cut your losses. The reunion didn’t work out. It was fun while it lasted.
The Revis circus will go on, but that doesn’t mean that the Jets should be a part of it. Jones told ESPN that Revis will turn himself into police in a timely fashion when the warrant for his arrest is issued.
Revis, who will turn 32 this summer, also will face league discipline if the charges stick.
“We’ve spoken to Darrelle,” a Jets spokesperson said. “We’re aware of the incident. We’ll have no further comment.”
The next team statement should be simple: THE JETS HAVE CUT DARRELLE REVIS.