Jets rookie corner Revis targeted for first time

WhiteShoeWillis · Oct 2, 2007

For the first time in his young career, Darrelle Revis had some explaining to do.

The rookie cornerback who has started every game this season went through the first three games relatively unscathed. Quarterbacks seemed hesitant to test him, rarely forcing passes to his side of the field. It was peculiar respect for the rookie.

It took another rookie - Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, making his first NFL start - to try to beat Revis. The Jets cornerback made some good plays by forcing a fumble and knocking down a third-down pass that forced Buffalo to punt late in Sunday's 17-14 Jets loss. And he did not give up any over-the-top plays, keeping all of the action in front of him. But the Bills obviously saw him as a weak link and picked away at him throughout the game. Eleven times Edwards threw into Revis' coverage. Nine were completed for 83 yards.

The issues mounted for Revis when he was shifted inside to cover slot receivers and was, for the most part, in isolated coverage.

"Yeah, it's kind of mind-boggling in there," he said of shifting from an outside cornerback to a nickel back when the Jets loaded their secondary to cover the Bills' three- and four-receiver sets. "You just have to transition over. Switching back and forth is kind of difficult, but I have to handle it if that's what they want me to do."

Most teams keep their cornerbacks in place and bring on a specialized nickel back. The Jets have chosen to rotate Revis in substitute defenses and replace him on the outside, usually with Andre Dyson. That kind of juggling can present challenges for anyone in the NFL. For a rookie who missed the first month of training camp and never played in the slot in college, it's daunting.

"I just have to adjust to the NFL level of it and get better every day," Revis said.

Jets coach Eric Mangini, whose background is as a defensive backs coach, said covering a slot receiver is a critical component to a defense. But he said learning the position is a key element to Revis' development.

"It's the Wayne Chrebets, the Troy Browns, the Josh Reeds that are tough to cover," Mangini said, naming a few proficient slot receivers. Reed had four catches for 64 yards against the Jets. "It's a whole different world inside as opposed to outside. You've got to learn that and feel that and get used to that."

Adding to the confusion was Buffalo's use of multiple players in the slot. The quick, elusive Roscoe Parrish was also there at times, creating a different dynamic than the bigger, stronger Reed.

Revis did well when covering on the outside. He has yet to be on the wrong end of an ESPN highlight.

"The game plan, especially with Lee Evans, was to stay deep on them," Revis said. "We knew he was going to catch a couple of comebacks and we'd let him and then break on him and tackle.

"But in the slot, it's a different type of game and they took advantage of it."

The Bills opened the door on Revis, and in the NFL. that means other teams will try to get through it, as well. The Giants no doubt noticed the confusion of Revis in the slot and could try to increase it. Just as teams stayed away from Revis in the first few weeks, they may sense vulnerability and be poised to attack him. "It's something I have to keep working on," Revis said.

And he'll get plenty of opportunities to do so until he's mastered it.
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http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets025399041oct02,0,7260865.story

zoobooz · Oct 2, 2007

Good to see the coaching staff putting players where they will excel in the game.

...Still Revis has been impressive for a rookie, especially one that missed TC.

CYensePHIction · Oct 2, 2007

JetsFan84 said: ↑

Good to see the coaching staff putting players where they will excel in the game.

...Still Revis has been impressive for a rookie, especially one that missed TC.
Click to expand...

I agree, its a good thing that teams will test him, he will be forced to learn and only get better...

Jets rookie corner Revis targeted for first time

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Jets rookie corner Revis targeted for first time

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