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Newly-acquired Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis
has high expectations for his new squad, which has not reached the
postseason since 2007. The disgruntled All-Pro cornerback was traded from the New York Jets
to the Buccaneers in exchange for the 13th overall pick in the
upcoming NFL draft and a conditional draft pick in either the third or fourth
round in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers immediately inked Revis to a 6
year, $96 million (no guaranteed money) contract upon acquiring the 27-year-old
shut down corner, who missed almost the entirety of the 2012 season after
tearing his ACL in Week 2.
Six months removed from his knee
surgery that repaired his torn left ACL, Revis is still unsure if he will be
ready for the start of the 2013 season. Revis will likely do everything he can
to fully recover in time for the season opener, given that the Buccaneers open
their 2013 campaign at MetLife Stadium against Revis’ former team.
After a major surgery, Revis
understands that there will be doubters that will contend he will no longer be
the great cover cornerback he was once was before tearing the ACL.
"People are going to sit here
and say, 'How's he going to perform? How's he going to play? Is he going to be
like he was before?'" Revis said. "I understand all of that. I'm a
hard worker. It's all on me. I'll give it my all."
Revis asserted that he does not have
a chip on his shoulder, despite his displeasure with how he was treated in New
York.
"I don't have nothing to prove
to the New York Jets," he said, adding that he still considers himself a
great player. "I don't have nothing to prove to nobody. I know my
expectations as a player, and that's that."
Revis could be the perfect addition
to a Buccaneers team that ranked dead last in passing defense a season
ago. Earlier in the off-season, the
Buccaneers signed former San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson.
Darrelle
Revis Trade from a Patriots Standpoint
The obvious takeaway from the Revis trade from a New England Patriots
viewpoint is that a division rival has been significantly weakened for the time
being, making the Patriots’ contests against the Jets this season a heck of a
lot easier. Revis played exceptionally well against the Patriots over the
years, often making the likes of Randy Moss
and Wes Welker
non-factors. He recorded two interceptions in nine career games against the
Patriots, while shutting down the Patriots’ primary offensive targets. He was a
major proponent of the Jets team that upset the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional Round.
Just like how Jets head coach Rex
Ryan was pleased to see Welker depart to the Denver Broncos
in the off-season, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will likely be glad he no
longer has to prepare for Revis when squaring off against the Jets.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan commented
on the departure of Welker to Denver, saying, "I'm just glad Wes
Welker isn't there. I hated Wes Welker. I'm kidding ... kind of. Actually, I'm
a huge fan of Wes Welker. He had historical success. That's some big shoes for
(Amendola) to fill."
Belichick will certainly be happy to
see Revis out of the AFC East, although he will have to prepare for Revis when
the Buccaneers visit Gillette Stadium in Week 3 of the NFL season. Still, the
thought of no longer facing off against arguably the leagues’ best cornerback
twice a season has to gratify Belichick.
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