There are a handful of new reports out there saying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are "close to losing interest" in trading for Darrelle Revis and are "losing patience" with the New York Jets. If the Bucs indeed move on, how do you anticipate this situation playing out? Will Revis remain a Jet for the 2013 season, or will another team make a deal for the gifted cornerback?
I believe there would be several teams willing to give up considerable draft-pick compensation for Darrelle Revis, but the financial commitment is the sticking point. The Jets have a very tough decision to make on this one: Do you take a trade haul that is well below market value, or is the smarter move to hold on to him?
I still believe the odds are likely that he'll be moved, but the Jets must convince the rest of the league that they're willing to keep him in order to gain any semblance of leverage.
There's no way Darrelle Revis is still a Jet come draft day. You can hypothesize all you want, but Woody Johnson isn't paying Revis $16 million a year, no matter what. Short of Team Revis coming down off their asking price -- yeah, right, and I'll be the Jets QB this season; hey wait, that actually could happen ... -- Revis will be an ex-Jet by the end of April. They're not going to let him play and walk away, so they'll get whatever they can for him. But if they don't trade him now, they're gambling pretty big that he's going to have suitors a month from now -- something I'm not so sure about. If we believe the negotiating reports through the press, Tampa Bay has softened on giving up its 2013 first-round pick. If that's the case, the Jets should jump on it. Why?
So far, there seemingly haven't been any real pursuers outside of Tampa Bay. And Revis' price will only increase as he gets closer to returning to the field. I'm not buying the whole "teams are scared of his torn ACL" argument. They know he's coming back. It's the price tag that goes along with acquiring him that's the problem. No one wants to give up any more than they have to. Since Revis still has a ways to go in his recovery, his value is at its lowest. So now should be the time when the most teams are interested. But apparently, they're not. I don't think there's as big a market for Revis as we're led to believe because of the salary he's going to demand. Right now, it's Tampa Bay and that's it. The Jets are in danger of overplaying their hand and waiting for a payday that never arrives. So if they wait until the draft, and suddenly the best they can get is a second- and a third-rounder? Strikes one and two for GM John Idzik. Then see how much New York loves you and your rebuilding plan.
The Buccaneers make the most sense as a trade partner due to their need for a cornerback and available cap room. If that trade does not work out, I think Darrelle Revis will be back with the Jets. Sometimes the trades you don't make are the best ones; maybe this will hold true with the Jets.
There are many issues in trading for Revis. The two most obvious concerns are his health and the cost. From the Jets' point of view, they have a limited group of teams that might be interested. John Idzik and Co. must determine Revis' fair market value. The Jets have to get a first-round pick and at least one more high pick. If they aren't offered what they think he is worth, they shouldn't trade him.
Darrelle Revis will play for the Jets in 2013. It really is his best option, and similar to Aqib Talib re-signing with the New England Patriots. Revis needs to get back on the field, prove to teams that he's healthy and then look for the money he believes he deserves.
Woody Johnson & the Jetropolitans want to try a new recipe for 2013. They're anxious to deal Darrelle Revis, so long as the return is multiple draft picks. Smart. A single filet mignon is delicious, but for a team as talent-starved as the Jets, several spam sandwiches are more practical.
If the San Francisco 49ers lose out to the New Orleans Saints in the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes, they'll be on the phone with the Jets in short order, offering up whatever it takes to get a Grade A corner who can take a bite out of the Seattle Seahawks' improved offense.
(Kudos to me for not mentioning Rex Ryan once, despite all the food metaphors. Well, except for this sentence.)
