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New Jersey – John Idzik is playing this perfectly. The man knows how to negotiate. Make Tampa Bay sweat because, ultimately, the Jets have a great consolation prize if a Darrelle Revis trade fall through – they can keep a great corner, and have the best cornerback combo in football, with Revis and Cro Cromartie.
Rick Stroud, of the Tampa Bay Times, reported today that that Bucs might decide to pass on a Revis’ trade if the Jets demand too much in return.
“The Bucs may pass on a chance to trade for Darrelle Revis if the Jets continue to insist on three draft picks for the Pro Bowl cornerback,” wrote Stroud. “Tampa Bay appears ready to trade its first-round pick in 2013 and something else.”
If Stroud is reporting this out of Tampa Bay, you can take it to the bank.
He’s been covering that team for years, is very plugged in, and likely got the info from somebody in the Tampa Bay organization.
They clearly wanted this info out there, and Stroud is a good guy to use to disseminate their position to the public – make the Jets look greedy.
But you know what, the Jets aren’t being greedy – their reported demand – a one, three and a five seems fair for a player of Revis’ magnitude.
And remember this, Tampa Bay had the NFL’s worst pass defense last year, so that is a bargaining chip for the Jets – they know Greg Schiano wants to get this fixed, and Revis would certainly help a great deal.
Also, think about it – if Tampa Bay is willing to give up their 2013 #1, you would have to think the deal will eventually get done.
Convincing themselves to give up this year’s first round pick – that is the hard part. Figuring out what other picks to throw in, that shouldn’t be as difficult. The first rounder is the crown jewel of a potential package – getting something done on a couple of other picks, should eventually be ironed out – with perhaps the Jets agreeing to take a #3 next year, not in 2014.
In fairness to Tampa Bay, if they are giving up a first round pick this year, they do feel they need to have second and third round picks to fill some holes with high quality prospects. That is understandable.
The second and third rounds are loaded with talent this year. This isn’t a top-heavy draft, but prospects late in the first, are rated as high as some guys expected to go in the second and third rounds. There is very good quality in those two rounds.
John Idzik has done an impressive job of playing poker on this Revis-front, and helping his cause is that fact the Woody Johnson has scared everyone in the building to “shut-up.” Silence has been golden for the Jets – no leaks like last year.
And when Idzik does address the press, he is very polite and cordial, but refuses to give the media anything on the Revis’ front, continually going with pat answers like – “We will definitely look at any trade possibilities and see if it benefits the Jets.”
Two constants in Idzik’s public comments on Revis, he continues to say that they will look at any trade possibility and he praises Revis.
He also refuses to get into a public spitting match with agent Neil Schwartz and his surrogates in the media. He just ignores the “white noise.”
In the past, the Jets have told reporters, behind the scenes, “if Schwartz gives you some info on what is going on, calls us and let us counter.” They aren’t doing that anymore. They are just going about their business, and ignoring the Schwartz’ scorched-earth campaign.
I do think the odds favor this deal getting done, but the Jets will not take what they consider a low-ball offer.
And they are willing to make Tampa Bay sweat until they get what they want, or close to it.
April 17, 2013
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