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It finally happened. The end of something the shouldn’t have happened in the first place. A forgettable chapter in Jets history is over.
As you know by now, the Jets released Darrelle Revis – $39 million wasted.
Woody Johnson made a really big mistake, but I do believe he’s learned from it. You are never too old to learn. I truly get the sense he has finally learned his lesson after Brett Favre, Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez (draft day blockbuster trade-up) and Revis 2.0. Stop making personnel moves to get the back page of the tabloids and sell tickets. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Johnson tried to right a wrong, throw an olive branch to the fans, bring back an iconic Jets that he was criticized for letting walk. Big mistake.
You don’t give 30-year-old cornerbacks $39 million in guaranteed money. That is a really bad idea.
And I for one don’t want to be accused of second guessing. I ripped his move from the starting gate. Look, I’m wrong plenty, but on this one, I thought this move was a clunker from jump street, and had Nnamdi Asomugha in Philly written all over it.
Heck, I don’t even like what the Kansas City Chiefs just did – giving a soon to be 29-year old safety $40 million guaranteed.
Tom Coughlin always believed that 26 should be the target age for free agents – still young, but know what they are doing after four years in the league. I totally agree.
This move cost the Jets games and hurt their football culture a great deal. Bill Polian always talks about “financial chemistry.” Revis made $17 million guaranteed last year and was terrible. If you don’t think that pissed off teammates, you are living in LA-LA Land. Players don’t resent big money players who produce. When players get major money and don’t produce, it creates “financial chemistry” problems.
Mike Maccagnan issued a statement.
“When you’re dealing with a player of Darrelle’s caliber, these decisions are extremely hard to make,” Maccagnan said. “We all have a great deal of respect for Darrelle and the significance of his time with the Jets cannot be overstated. He provided an example of how a pro should approach his craft and established his place in NFL history as one of the best at his position.”
Look, I understand Pollyanna statements are made when big-name players are released, but I have some issues with this.
This decision was really easy if you are a top-shelf football executive. I’m not saying Maccagnan isn’t. We are still find out about him. I’m just saying this decision was actually extremely easy. Revis wasn’t even “playing the sticks” on third down last year. Revis became allergic to tackling last year. This decision was very easy.
And to say he “provided an example of how a pro should approach his craft” is astonishing.
A cornerback playing a mile off receivers giving up first downs with ease, and avoiding tackles, isn’t how a cornerback should “approach his craft.”
Revis also was making excuses for his play with regularity last year, like “I’m old” and “My body is breaking down.” That isn’t how a pro should approach his craft.
Reporting out of shape isn’t how “a pro should approach his craft.”
When a former teammate, Joe McKnight, was tragically shot to death, Revis refused to address the media. That isn’t how “a pro should approach his craft.” Nick Folk and others stood in front of their lockers during the tragic time and answered questions. Revis blew us off. I didn’t like that. Joe deserved better.
It was time to move on from Revis.
And he probably shouldn’t have been brought back in the first place.
February 28, 2017
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