New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is not the same player he was two or three years ago, and that is a harsh reality the 31-year-old has come to grips with.
Revis spoke to reporters on Thursday about how he has been fighting through injuries and is well aware of the criticism that has been heaped on him this season. A short while later, the seven-time Pro Bowler was even more candid while chatting with Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday.
“My body’s breaking down,” Revis admitted.
Whether due to age, injuries or both, Revis Island appears to no longer be open for business. Football is a young man’s game, and while 31 may still make Revis a young man, he’s basically a grandfather in comparison with some other NFL players.
“I can still play,” Revis added. “It’s just, I’m breaking down. I’m 31. How many corners are 31 right now in the league? The league’s getting younger. I know [Vikings cornerback Terence] Newman’s still playing [at 38], which is impressive. But I don’t know how he’s doing it.”
Eventually, Revis laughed and said he does not want to sound like he is contemplating retirement. That said, he openly admits he is having trouble bouncing back from nagging injuries.
“I’m not thinking about retirement at this moment,” he said. “I’ve just got to continue to take care of my body. Some of the past injuries, they linger. They linger.”
While he no longer seems capable of erasing an opposing team’s best receiver in one-on-one coverage, Revis has looked better in recent weeks than he did to start the season. At the very least, we haven’t seen videos like this one of him getting torched in quite some time. Part of that has to do with Revis getting healthier, and part of it is the Jets not asking him to do as much on his own.
“When you play Cover Zero on some of the best receivers in the world, it takes a toll on your body,” he said. “And your coaches have confidence to say we trust that you’re going to shut down this guy that had 200 yards receiving and the week before he had [more]. We trust you with that job. So it’s hard. It’s a lot.”
When he does decide to call it a career, Revis will go down as one of the best corners to ever play the game. But the end is clearly approaching for him quicker than many believed it would — including the Jets. Remember how the New England Patriots were criticized for not wanting to pay up and keep Revis around? Bill Belichick wins yet again.
