Some might think four years are too few to have Darrelle Revis this high on the list of Jets Draft successes. I totally disagree. In just four years, Revis has established himself as the best cover corner in the league. When the Jets moved up in the 2007 NFL Draft to nab him, it was not even clear they had landed the best corner in that Draft. Some felt it was Leon Hall. You would have to be an extreme Bengals homer to believe that today.
There is a large degree of misinformation that Revis was not that great of a corner until 2009. This theory is mainly because the media ignored his successes until his third year. The reality is Revis started playing like a top corner during the second half of his rookie year. He made the Pro Bowl in his second year. It is true Revis' best season was 2009. Given all of the circumstances, it might have been the greatest season by a corner in NFL history. Revis totally shut down some of the best receivers in the game like Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, and Randy Moss (twice). His team's blitzing scheme left him with little help. He followed the other team's best receiver around the field instead of just picking the left or right side. The Jets rolled help away from him on a consistent basis. The league's rules allow minimal contact for defenders. The Jets allowed fewer receiving yards than any team in the league to an opponent's number one receiver.
Revis battled injuries in 2010, but he was consistently excellent while healthy. As long as injuries do not derail him, we could be looking at the greatest corner ever. I do not think that is hyperbole. Other Jets picks might have longer track records, but few reached the heights Revis has in such a short time.
I remember his bitter holdout prior to 2010. Many fans were understandably upset. They said they were done with Revis and could never support him again. That feels like a very long time ago. He has scary talent and will only be 26 on opening day.
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