I think it's hardly ever by design. I'm sure there were HCs back in the day who said 'Don't ever throw the ball to X Receiver when he is covered by Deion Sanders', but I think the majority of his 'shutdown' game was seen in game film by QBs and had a psychological effect. Good coaches don't want a QB that they see leading them to a championship to be afraid of throwing at a defender. They want them bold enough to challenge that defender when the time is right. I think the Ty Law Rule had a way of making QBs feel more comfortable with the space their options were given after 5 yards because it opened up the field a lot more and we've seen the passing game league-wide flourish because of it, hence the death of the 'shutdown corner'. But when you go through an entire game with a team completing 1-3 passes to their primary wideout, winning or losing, it's because there is a guy covering him that the QB doesn't feel comfortable testing and checks down a lot of times.
Based on how he's performed so far, I honestly think Revis should make the Pro Bowl this year. Of course Pro Bowl voters don't seem to have a history of looking too kindly on Jets defensive backs. Plus, I fear people will put too much weight on INT's which, again, is a skewed stat. If QB's aren't throwing in the direction of a guy (either by design or because he's been so effective covering his WR), he's not gonna have as many opportunities to get the INT's.
I find it hard to believe that there is any CB in the league playing at a higher level than Revis is right now.
What?? Randy Moss Toasted him for like 3 tds Revis is good but he did not shut down moss that game. And, while revis is a stud, Lowery is not a very strong corner so they pick on him and that leaves less balls to be thrown revis's way
ok, go back and look at Revis' first game ever as a Jet.. Barrett and Dyson were responsible for the torching. It wasn't Revis. He did give up yards that game - but wasn't torched. This has been established many times.
Maybe you should look at who was covering Moss for those TDs before you talk out of your ass. Revis gave up a touchdown and little yardage to the best receiver in the game during his first NFL start.
you're too dumb to get what I was saying... you went from certain to "thinking" that they were going to win... i was stating the obvious. Nowhere did I say that the Jets were going to win that game now did I? Thanks for playing.