The Revis Window: The New York Jets Must Work Quickly If They Want to Trade Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay
By Leo Howell
Sep 11, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive back Darrelle Revis (24) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Pro Football Talk reported today that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as a team who is interested in trading for ostracized cornerback Darrelle Revis, in a deal that would likely feature a future first round pick, or a second round pick this season as compensation for the star cornerback. This news is encouraging, as Buccaneer fans have been speculating just what it would take to snag Revis from the Jets.
And thankfully it’s much less than the ridiculous package of picks that ESPN’s Skip Bayless suggested the 49ers should offer the Jets on Twitter. I provided a link so I could be a journalist and give credit, but the idea of giving up 4 picks in the first three rounds for Revis is absurd.
Back to reality, as we consider the rest of the Pro Football Talk report. Mike Florio opined that the Jets would have to execute a trade soon, as the Buccaneers would likely lose interest in Revis should a cornerback sign with the Bucs as free agency kicks off. This means the Jets should feel the pressure of Tampa Bay’s alleged interest in corners like Sean Smith and Derek Cox, and lower their demands as time wears on. But the key issue may not be the cost of a trade, but the cost to sign Revis, and the ability to sit down with the corner himself and talk shop.
It is likely that the Jets are limiting the ability of teams to work with Revis’ representation, leaving gaps in the information teams know about the current status of Revis, and what he’s looking for in a deal. As Jason Cole of Yahoo! reported, the Jets GM isn’t opening up any lines of communication, and is hamstringing his own attempts to get rid of Revis and bring in value. The longer he waits, the tougher it will be to get rid of the defender, and the more likely it is that the Jets will have to endure another year of a player who can’t make up his mind, and endure the wrath of agents who will want nothing to do with the franchise.
But if the Jets do open lines of communication, and allow Revis and his agents to talk with other teams, we could see a deal happen very quickly. If the Buccaneers are indeed interested, I could easily see them offering a second round pick, or possibly even a third combined with a second next year, and finding the Jets eager to accept.
I am not the biggest fan of Darrelle Revis, considering he is coming off a major knee injury. But if he’s able to pass a physical, and the Buccaneers do their homework, it would be a massive upgrade at the position. And with the likely decrease in his trade value, the stakes are becoming lower and lower. The deal for Revis is running out of time, as free agent cornerbacks are visiting teams and signing deals this week, so don’t be surprised if a trade goes down at a moment’s notice. We’ll keep you up to date should any deals be struck. One thing is certain… the Revis Island has to be dealt in the Revis Window, and that means Buccaneer fans have to keep an eye out for a trade at any time.