It's hard to take the New York Jets seriously. After the past few months of a lot of ineptitude (and we all know, it has been a lot), Gang Green found themselves in another jam regarding one of, if not, the greatest player in the history of their organization, Darrell Revis.
Revis is by far my favorite Jet of all-time. The guy is just that good, and is a future Hall of Famer. Watching him shutdown wide receiver after wide receiver was always a joy. And most importantly, it was a relief knowing half the field was cut in half.
However, the issue of keeping him versus trading him has gone on for months now. With the Jets looking to reload restock rebuild simply become a good team, this issue has continued on throughout the off-season. Personally, as a fan of the Jets and of Revis, this is how I break the situation down:
New Destination, Revis Bay
- No matter how good Darrell Revis is, paying a cornerback $16M is ridiculous. I know some will say that there are other defensive players making that much, if not more, but I find it hard to really justify paying a guy that much when there are so many other needs on the team. Heck, Cleveland's cornerbacks are pretty good, and they still are terrible.
- I'm tired of Revis holding out. I really am. As a fan it's become tiresome and annoying. I understand every athlete is entitled to make as much money as possible, especially in the game of football where contracts are not guaranteed, but Revis always seems unhappy with his current pay. At some point enough is enough. The Jets aren't in the position to endure yet another lockout from Revis.
- This is a situation the Jets needed to put behind them as soon as they could. More Revis drama just undermines the "new leaf" the organization is looking to make with new GM, John Idzik.
- With Antonio Cormartie, the Jets secondary is still decent.
- And finally, until the Jets can put points up on the board, having a shutdown corner doesn't mean squat.
Still Vacationing on Revis Island
- Franchise players come around every so often and #24 was one of those guys. The Jets most notable face is that of Joe Namath, who was alright (some might say vastly overrated), and is held in lure for being able to backup a Super Bowl III guarantee. Revis is and could be that franchise face-type-of-guy. Especially when he is still in his prime years.
- Shutdown corners are even rarer than franchise players. Revis might be the best at it since Deion Sanders. You don't let guys like that go.
- Draft picks are unknown commodities. Who knows if the guys you draft will ever pan out to? The odds are against it. You'll be lucky to get reasonable compensation.
- The Jets already have a terrible relationship and rapport with their fans. This is evident in the low ticket sales, incredibly low morale among the fan base, and the overall debt the team is currently in with hundreds of un-purchased PSL's.
- Without Revis, what else and who else is there to look forward to watching on Sundays?
- And finally, how bad does it look to trade Darrell Revis, and Mark Sanchez is still donning green an white. Heck, Tim Tebow is still suiting up.
Maybe Tebow plays corner? Ahhhh, its way too early for those jokes.
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| Hard not to feel like this if your a New York Jets fan |
Nonetheless, among the arguments on both ends of the balance beam, as much as it pains me to say it, I agree that it is in the Jets best interest to trade Darrell Revis. The Jets desperately need get themselves out of salary cap hell, and have numerous (gaping) holes to fill. Keeping and paying Revis would simply compound this issue and further the rebuilding process.
While I firmly believe the first game of the season will include a Mark Sanchez thrown interception to Revis for a game winning touchdown, this is the best decision for the long-term future of the New York Jets.
In the short term, we are pretty much resorted to hoping for the best. Jets fans need hope just to have hope at this point! As fans do of teams with losing fan bases, we must look big picture. It's now vital to select sure things with the ninth and thirteenth picks coming up in next week's NFL Draft. And who knows, maybe the Jets take Geno Smith. Maybe we stink so bad this year and land Johnny Manzeil next year.
Either way, I'm not expecting much from the Jets in 2013.
Either way, I'm not expecting much from the Jets in 2013.
Rex Ryan is pretty much a walking dead man. Good luck to him on saving his job with this team. I'd like to think differently, but that is what the actions and current situation of the Jets dictate right now. Low expectations.
Very low expectations.
Very low expectations.
And we'd be in the same position with, or without Darrell Revis.