‘I think he’ll be special’

It’s unfair to expect miracles from a guy who hasn’t played in an NFL game in 337 days.

It would be stunning, however, if Revis didn’t play at a productive level barring injury over the final month of the season. He’s invested too much time to fall flat on his face again.

“He’s not coming back to embarrass himself,” Ryan said. “This guy’s got a phenomenal reputation. Is he a Hall of Famer? I don’t know. That’s debatable. I think he belongs, but you never know how people see it.”

Whether driven by legacy, pride, embarrassment, love of the game or future earning power, there’s no debate that he’s put forth a genuine effort to get his 32-year-old body and mind right. So, which Darrelle Revis will we see now? “You’re going to see a hungry player,” Boldin said. “Somebody who’s out to prove himself.”

There was a time when No. 24 wrecked games with regularity. Throw in his direction at your own risk. He was an unstoppable force that erased the game’s best difference makers.

“I think he’ll be special again,” Villani said. “That’s what I’m hoping for.” The truth is that nobody knows.

@MMehtaNYDN