The Revis to Tampa Bay trade is fascinating
Apr 22, 2013, 4:06 PM | Updated: 4:12 pm
The New York Jets traded Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 13th overall pick in the draft and a conditional selection next year.
This seems to be a sweet deal for all parties involved, sans the NFLPA.
The Jets got rid of a problem that could have turned into a nightmare that would have dwarfed the Tim Tebow Circus of a year ago. They also received fair market value by receiving the 13th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and a conditional draft pick in 2014 that could either be a third or fourth round pick.
The Jets now have the ninth and 13th picks Thursday night. Look for the Jets to package those two picks and move up in order to get an edge rusher like Dion Jordan of Oregon. I think the more likely scenario would be that they stay right where they are, pick LSU’s Barkevious Mingo at nine (if possible) and take either guard, Chance Warmack of Alabama or North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper, with the 13th pick (if possible).
The Jets have a lot of needs and getting two impact players in the first round as opposed to one seems to be the more prudent thing to do when you’re rebuilding a football team. Although I believe Jets GM John Idzik may have backed himself into a corner and probably learned a lesson during the Revis situation, he has seemingly pulled this one from the flickering flames of futility.
The Buccaneers get the best cornerback in the NFL without any guaranteed money. Granted, Revis is rehabbing a serious knee injury, but if he can stay healthy and play at the level the Bucs expect him to without having ANY guaranteed money involved, this was a no-brainer.
Revis is a shutdown corner that thrives in any coverage. Assuming his knee is sound, he will be a much needed improvement to the Bucs’ woeful secondary and match up nicely against the high-powered, pass-happy division of the NFC South. Lining Revis up over Roddy White, Julio Jones, Marques Colston and even TE Jimmy Graham will be premium, can’t miss matchups this fall.
And Bucs GM Mark Dominik must feel good knowing Revis has already passed a physical and seems to be recovering nicely from his torn ACL. Even though Dominik gave up a lot to get a shutdown corner, if Revis is healthy, he’s certainly better than any corner they would have picked in this year’s draft, including Alabama’s Dee Milliner.
And Dominik doesn’t have to stay up nights, worrying about Revis’ health knowing the Bucs aren’t married to him for the next six years. There is no guaranteed money involved. Dominik still gave up a #1 to get Revis, but at least it won’t break the bank or destroy the salary cap. And, it should be noted, Revis will have to prove it every year. This should be considerable motivation for a guy that needs to show he’s the same player he was before his surgery.
The only loser here may be the NFLPA. When a player of Revis’ stature signs a six-year contract that includes no guaranteed money, it could set a precedent the player’s association may not want to see become mainstream.
Ninety-six million dollars is a ton of cash, making Revis the highest paid defensive-back in NFL history; but Revis only gets it if he plays. And not only plays, but plays well. If he doesn’t play well, he won’t see the end of the contract.
The trade for Darelle Revis is fascinating in that it seems to be a no-brainer for the Jets, Bucs and the Revis Clan.
But the NFLPA can’t be thrilled with what it could mean in the future.
