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Giants would have little to lose signing old Jet Revis

THE GIANTS have brought Damon Harrison, Brandon Marshall and Geno Smith over to the winning side of New York NFL football. What would it hurt to pick up the phone and call Darrelle Revis and make it one more ex-Jet playing for Big Blue? Then after they win the Super Bowl next February, Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants receivers could dock their party boat on Revis Island. It would be a photo op for the ages. Of course, Revis, 32, is guaranteed $6 million in 2017 from his former Jets employers, so he could not sign anywhere and collect the full $6 million and opt to retire. He does have a Super Bowl ring already, too, from his 2014 cup of coffee in New England.

And on the NFL club side of the equation, the market for Revis’ services has been weak. His skills and effort were in decline in 2016, his final Jet season. And while he’s had 10 mostly terrific seasons in the league, he clearly seemed last year to not be the same player.

And yet, the Giants, for all their defensive excellence, look mighty thin at the corner position, especially with second-year starter Eli Apple injuring both of his ankles this August, top depth corner Michael Hunter still in the concussion protocol and offseason signing Valentino Blake leaving the team last week due to personal reasons.

The Giants are obviously aware of their D-back dearth. On Sunday they claimed from the Eagles off waivers corner Tay Glover-Wright, 25, a practice player on several teams with just two games of NFL experience.

Janoris (Jackrabbit) Jenkins, Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie make a fearsome trio on the Giants’ first-string defense at corner, due in part to their versatility. If Apple struggles or gets hurt, for example, the veteran DRC slides over to the outside and Big Blue’s defense still looks strong.

However, part of the reason Rodgers-Cromartie, 31, had such a great 2016 was due to his selective, strategic and sometimes intermittent use. He is older, and keeping him fresh will be critical to keeping the Giants’ secondary at its peak. He shouldn’t be an every-down player if they want him healthy for a playoff run.

Which brings us back to Revis: Giants GM Jerry Reese doesn’t have a lot to lose by bringing him in for a workout, or even signing him. If the Giants were to, say, sign Revis for the $1 million veteran minimum for 2017, the Jets still would be on the hook for the remaining $5 million of that guaranteed $6 million total in Revis’ contract for this year.

This wouldn’t vibe with the rest of the Giants’ offseason; they’ve been frugal in their depth spending, and they are listed in the NFL Players’ Association database as having just $9.7 million in salary cap space.

Revis’ young agent, Zachary Hiller, also hasn’t returned repeated calls seeking comment or clarification on whether the Giants even have expressed interest — a curious tactic for an agent with a client without a gig.

Perhaps that means Revis already has retired to Revis Island and won’t be heard from again. Or maybe he just wouldn’t be interested in playing second fiddle on a roster, since he grew so accustomed in his career with the Jets to being the man.

But just maybe, a chance at another championship with the Giants would lure Revis back to the field. He could view it as a chance to bolster his Hall of Fame resume, since while Revis was one of the NFL’s best corners for several seasons running, the lingering perception of him at the end was of a player who quit on some plays and wasn’t half the cover corner he used to be. The Giants wouldn’t be risking much either by bringing a potential bad attitude or selective effort from Revis onto their own defense. If Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is long on anything, it’s leadership. Harrison and Landon Collins and Jonathan Casillas would put Revis back on the street at the first sign of dogging it. If he didn’t pursue a tackle in the second quarter, he might not even be allowed back on the sideline after halftime. Head coach Ben McAdoo said in his Sunday conference call that the Giants “like the guys we have in the (cornerback) room.” He correctly said that Hunter was “playing at a high level” this preseason prior to his injury, and that the Giants hope to get him back as soon as they can. Donte Deayon also has been a bright spot all preseason P and should make the team as a slot corner. lus, NFL teams will be cutting down from 90 men to the 53-man roster all at once this coming Saturday, and the Giants are more likely to go bargainbin shopping there than they are to take on another veteran in Revis. And yet, McAdoo pointed to “develop(ing) some depth behind the first group” as a concern on defense. The Giants need players with experience, people they can count on. They don’t know if Revis has still got it, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to find out.