REVIS LEGACY CAN’T BE TOUCHED
REVIS Island was once private property with no trespassing allowed. But in 2016, it has become a destination place with quarterbacks and receivers challenging the Jets cornerback without hesitation. In many ways Darrelle Revis is emblematic of the Jets’ 2016 season when high expectations have turned into disappointing results. It was shocking to see Revis get beat deep or offer receivers more cushion than a La-ZBoy sofa. He’ll go into Sunday’s season-finale against the Bills without an interception after claiming five last year. The final years of some of the greatest stars in professional sports are seldom a pretty sight. Peyton Manning went out winning a Super Bowl last year, but only after being benched during the regular season. Kobe Bryant’s final season with the Lakers was tough to watch. Bernard Hopkins got knocked out of the ring by Joe Smith Jr. in what he said would be his last fight. Father Time and injuries eventually catch up to all of them and if you listened to Revis this year it sounds like Revis Island could be closed for business soon. That begs the questions whether this season has tarnished Revis’ legacy not only with Jets fans, but future Hall of Fame voters? The short answer here is yes and no.
It has been tough for Jets fans to watch Revis decline this season. When he was drafted with the 14th pick overall out of Pitt in 2007, he quickly became one of the franchise’s more popular players, consistently shutting down the opposition’s top receivers. He made the Pro Bowl as a Jet from 2008-11, but then money became more important than the uniform and he went to Tampa Bay in 2013 and then won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2014.
When he was re-signed by the Jets in 2015 his return was applauded by Jets Nation, and he played well enough last season to earn his seventh trip to the Pro Bowl. But 2016 has been a disaster. At age 31, he has admitted to feeling “old.”
Revis’ five-year deal with the Jets had $16 million guaranteed last year and $17 million this year. In 2017, $6 million is guaranteed, but there are bonuses in place to make it worth $13 million. The Jets likely won’t want to pay him the $13 million.
This season has left some Jets fans feeling lukewarm about Revis. George Koprowski of Cresskill, N.J., one of the biggest Jets fans I know, said this about Revis: “As I sit here thinking of favorite Jet players, Revis’ name doesn’t pop up. It was always contract and money talk I think of with him. Never thought of him as a leader. Never really warmed up to him. Just a really good player. Could have put more effort into his craft on returning.”
A 4-11 season can make you feel that way. But one bad season shouldn’t ruin Hall of Fame credentials. But it could keep him from going to Canton on his first year of eligibility. Had Revis’ return to the Jets resulted in play- off success it would have made him a lock in his first year of eligibility. But the press he has gotten this year could hurt him if there are other candidates just as deserving.
A 20-year voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame told me this about Revis: “Sometimes ‘first ballot’ is more about timing. Michael Strahan could have gone in before Warren Sapp, but didn’t. There are only so many slots. Maybe he’ll be first ballot. One season doesn’t diminish his overall worthiness. But it’s not like he’s Ronnie Lott or Deion Sanders.”
It is interesting Revis’ final game as a Jet could come against Ryan. As Koprowski put it: “Two guys, who made a lot of money off each other and both came up short as Jets.”
Time should paint a more appealing picture of Revis’ Jets legacy and there should still be plenty of green No. 24 jerseys in Canton when that day does come.