By: Stephen Patterson
It's a reality that is starting to sink in more and more with many members of the New York Jets organization. Darrelle Revis may not play with the team this season as he continues to hold out for a new contract, one that is far from being agreed upon. According to sources, agents for Revis met with the team on Friday and they delivered their latest offer, which the team seems unwilling to match.
Revis has missed the first nine days of camp, drawing an estimated $150,000 in fines for his absences. Rex Ryan acknowledged for the first time today that the team may be without Revis for an extended period of time. "We're going to prepare like he's not going to be here," Ryan told reporters.
Team owner Woody Johnson isn't very optimistic about the chances of a new deal being reached before the start of the regular season, either. "My gut feeling is, I would say no," responded Johnson when asked if he thought Revis would be on the field with New York this season. There was hope from within the organization that the Pro-Bowl cornerback would accept the teams latest offer, a deal believed to be worth nearly $100 million. Revis became even more upset after receiving the offer, however, because the team apparently offered a very small amount of guaranteed money, including approximately $5 million for this season.
It has been known for months now that Revis is searching to be the highest paid cornerback in the NFL after being one of the best lock-down defenders in the league last season. Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders is currently the highest paid corner in the league, earning an average of $15.1 million per season under the extension he signed last offseason. There have been reports that the team has aimed their frustrations over the holdout at Raiders' owner Al Davis, who has a history of overpaying players and handing out bad contracts (see Russell, JaMarcus).
The Jets are among the most popular picks to make a deep run in the postseason, and many within the organization, including Rex Ryan, believe it is Super Bowl or bust for this team. They have been one of the most active teams this offseason, acquiring players such as Santonio Holmes, LaDanian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, and Antonio Cromartie to add to an already impressive roster. Missing Revis, however, could cost the team greatly on the defensive side of the ball.
Any extended absence for the Pro-Bowler will certainly hurt the Jets' chances of repeating last season's success of reaching the AFC Championship game. The best option for everyone involved is for the team to just pay him and get him on the field. Anything less may negate all of the positive moves the franchise made this offseason, as their odds of winning the AFC, and even making the Super Bowl, will plummet with their defensive anchor on the sidelines.
