New York Jets: Darrelle Revis Should Transition to Free Safety
Darrelle Revis, while posting a strong season for the Jets in 2015, showed some signs of declining skills. With that, the Jets should consider transitioning him to free safety.
Darrelle Revis has had quite the career, hasn’t he? “Revis Island” became a hated tourist trap since Darrelle joined the league in 2007 because of his ability to take a receiver out of a game. He has been named to the Pro Bowl seven times and has been a first team All-Pro four times.
At the peak of his career in 2009, he posted six interceptions and 31 passes defended. The following year, he posted no interceptions because nobody threw to his side enough times.
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In short, Revis was the best corner in the game.
But the time has come for all of us to wake up to a reality that is staring us in the face. It isn’t 2010 anymore, folks. Revis will be turning 31 in July. Last season, he showed signs of slowing down, especially when covering young, fast receivers. There comes a time in any athlete’s career when they need to either make an adjustment or watch their career decline quickly.
Revis and the Jets need to think about a change to free safety.
To bring Revis back to New York in 2015, general manager Mike Maccagnan signed him to a five-year contract that according to Spotrac is worth $70 million over the life of the deal including $39 million guaranteed. The Jets needed a major upgrade at the position so the deal needed to be made, there is no doubt. But the fact of the matter is that they were paying for a 25-year-old Darrelle, and what they got was a Darrelle on the wrong side of 30.
Every Jets’ fan remembers that the team was riding high at 4-1 to start the 2015 season, but then lost four out of the next time, culminating with a loss to the Houston Texans. They also remember the big game DeAndre Hopkins put up, making Revis look every bit like a 30-year-old. That afternoon, Hopkins posted five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard scoring play that gave the Texans the lead heading into halftime.
What about that final game of the 2015 season? They entered the game 10-5, needing a win over the Bills to earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2010. In the win by Buffalo, Sammy Watkins torched Revis to the tune of 11 catches for 136 yards.
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Why? Because his man coverage skills are not what they used to be. If he was the same player,, he wouldn’t have needed the help that day or any day. They are still good, but they just aren’t the same, and that is to be expected from a guy who has reached 30 years old. Revis is a great cornerback, but he isn’t the best anymore, and we have to wake up to that fact.
What hasn’t changed, however, is Revis’ ability to make a play on the football. Last year, Revis put up five interceptions, good for second on the team, and his best year since 2011. His instincts have not declined, nor has his ability to go get the ball when he has a chance.
That is what makes Revis a prime candidate to play free safety. Imagine how the Jets’ defense might look if Revis is sitting in the back and going after the football. He would be able to make use of his ability as a “ball-hawk” as well as mask the fact that his cover skills aren’t the same anymore.
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Ronnie Lott and Rod Woodson made switches from cornerback to safety later in their careers and became Pro Football Hall of Famers. Revis could be also Canton-bound one day given his resume. But he could also extend the longevity and the quality, of his career by making the same switch.