Most of you have heard that New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has been holding out of training camp in hopes of renegotiating his contract.
On Monday, ESPN reported that Jets owner Woody Johnson believes Revis won’t be with the team this season because of his contract demands.
Coach Rex Ryan said he’s preparing the team to play this season without Revis on the roster, meaning a major piece of the Jets puzzle won’t be part of a potential Super Bowl run.
Revis is widely considered to be the best corner in the NFL and is currently the only player under contract holding out of training camp.
With three years remaining on his current deal, Revis is set to make $1 million this season – a paltry sum by any standards for an elite corner.
Revis is said to be seeking a contract that pays him as much if not more than the NFL’s highest paid corner, Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha.
Asomugha’s three-year deal with the Raiders calls for him to be paid $14.25 million this season and at least $16.875 million next season.
Revis’ agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod have advised their client to take a stand prior to what could be the Jets best chance of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1969.
Revis’ attempts to renegotiate a deal he signed as a rookie may cost him to miss more than the 2010 season.
Holding out for the entire year doesn’t accomplish his purpose and it hurts the Jets chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
Windows of opportunity don’t materialize very often in the NFL and when they do, teams must seize upon them.
For an organization that hasn’t won a Super Bowl in over 40 years, Revis could do more to earn the money he seeks by helping the Jets win now.
Instead of making himself a pariah in the eyes of his teammates and the Jets fan base, Revis could become a hero by leading the team to the Super Bowl.
How likely is it that he would receive the compensation he wants if the Jets were to win the Super Bowl this year?
Obviously his contract demands would be viewed in a much different light if he were to sacrifice his personal agenda for the good of the organization.
Revis has time to renegotiate a deal that’s worthy of his talents, but he may not get a chance to win a Super Bowl ever again.
Darrelle Revis will eventually get the big contract he seeks, but it’s not going to happen this season and the Jets’ chances of reaching Super Bowl XLV will take a serious hit.
Revis might want to step back for a moment and come to the realization that lucrative contracts come hand-in-hand with winning, and nobody is going to win if he doesn’t play this season for the Jets.
