New York Jets star corner back, Darrelle Revis, is coming off of his first year and second stint as a member of Gang Green. Some have said Revis’ skills are declining while others have said he is just fine, in fact, better than ever – but is “Revis Island”still a destination no one wants to go?
Darrelle Revis appeared in 14 games this season (two missed due to a concussion). Revis had five interceptions and nine pass deflections. However, the opinion is out that his skills have diminished, and that he did not put up the type of numbers we are used to from his “Revis Island” days.
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His five interceptions were one short of his career high of six back in 2009. For his career, he has 28 total interceptions and 132 pass deflections. Overall in 2015, Revis was targeted by quarterbacks 68 times as he only allowed 29 catches to opposing receivers.
Revis can still lock down any receiver in this league, he is just not the level he was from 2007-2011 – and that was a level that has not been reached (maybe ever) since the days of Deion Sanders.
Coming off his first season from ACL surgery in 2012, Revis spent 2013 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after the Jets let his services go. The following year, Revis had a bounce back year with the New England Patriots in 2014 (now two years removed from ACL surgery) and helped win them a championship and was back to performing at a dominant level.
Revis knows his reuniting with Gang Green must be one to capitalize on…and by capitalize, that means win the Super Bowl.
In 2015, Revis anchored a secondary that played above and beyond from arguably the worst secondary in 2014 (thanks to free agent signings like Revis, Antonio Cromartie, and Marcus Gilchrist). The defense as a whole can escalate even further in 2016 under second year head coach, Todd Bowles.
If you’re going to say Revis is not elite any longer, that is simply not true. He is without question a top three corner in this league (arguably number one). The issue with saying Revis has declined and by grading his performance in 2015 in any sort of negative context, is because of just how dominant he has been over the course of his career.
From 2007-2011, his production and play completely shut down his side of the field and his play (hence, “Revis Island”) directly contributed to the Jets playing in back-to-back AFC Championship games – unfortunately losing both.
He is without question a Hall of Fame player who will ultimately will go down as one of the best corners to ever play in the league – and he still has plenty of time to win championship number two.
In 2015, Revis’ two worst games and match ups were against Houston Texans star receiver, DeAndre Hopkins and Buffalo Bills receiver, Sammy Watkins (must be something against Clemson). Watkins caught 4-6 targets for 98 yards and one touchdown in week 11.
The second match up against Buffalo in week 17 featured Revis-Watkins round two, which unfortunately went to Watkins and the Bills.
Watkins caught 6 of 9 targets for 96 yards as the Bills and Rex Ryan crushed the Jets hopes, eliminating them from the playoffs. However looking back to Revis-Watkins round one, that went unanimously to Revis as he held Watkins to just three catches on seven targets for 14 yards.
Over the course of 14 games for Revis, only having two of those types of games against two of the leagues elite, young wide receivers should not count all that negatively against him.
In 2015, only 46.5% of the balls thrown to his side of the field were complete – 40 catches on 86 attempts…sounds like “Revis Island” to me.
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Heading in to year two (of stint number two) Revis looks to help take this already solid Jets defense to an elite level. With former longtime-cornerback on the other side, Antonio Cromartie, recently released, it will be wise for Revis to mentor a young player like say a Dee Milliner or an emerging Marcus Williams. Fellow corner back, Buster Skrine is an already established player in the slot and does a fantastic job in that role, but could easily fill the number two corner slot as well.
For 2016, Revis will have the command of his teammates and the respect of opposing quarterbacks and receivers as he always does. The key will be for him to help take this defense to the next level and put the fear into every offense they face. “Revis Island” will remain a place where no one wants to take a trip.