Jets most hated: the top 20 villains in Gang Green history – Part 1 (20-11)
By Ed Stein
12. Darrelle Revis
It can be argued that Darelle Revis was the best cover cornerback of his era. He earned the nickname “Revis Island” for his ability to shut down the opponent’s number one receiver. Even with four Pro Bowls in his first five seasons with the Jets, Revis is a top villain for many reasons.
Going back to the 2007 draft, the New York Jets were very impressed with Revis. They traded their first (20th overall), second (59th), and fifth-round picks to the Carolina Panthers to move up six spots and grab the University of Pittsburgh corner. Head coach at the time, Eric Mangini, said he expected Revis to contribute immediately and called him a shutdown corner much like Ty Law.
From day one, it was all about the money. Revis held out the first three weeks of training camp, waiting for the Jets to meet his asking price. They had to fly his mother in to break the impasse and help get his rookie contract done, a four-year, $36M deal.
Three years later (2010), he held out again. This time he missed all of training camp before reaching a four-year, $32M, fully guaranteed deal. In 2012, there were rumblings that he would hold out a third time, but Revis reported on time. He played a total of two games that year due to a hamstring injury. The team had enough of his antics and shipped him off the following spring Tampa Bay for a first (Sheldon Richardson) and a fifth-round pick.
He played the 2013 season for the Bucs who cut him the following March, before signing a one-year $12M deal with of all teams New England. Where he helped the Pats to a Super Bowl win.
A free agent once again, Revis came back to the Jets on a five-year, $70M contract on March 14, 2015. His signing brought about a tampering charge and fine for team owner Woody Johnson. The second Jets-Revis marriage lasted only two years. By 2016 Revis was a shell of the player he once was. Gang Green let him go after the season.
For some added insult to Revis’ injury, the Panthers used the first and second-round picks acquired from New York on linebacker Jon Beason and center Ryan Kalil. The duo combined to make eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.
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