Tom Brady is as familiar with Darrelle Revis as any quarterback in the NFL. Prior to joining the New England Patriots, Revis spent several years making life difficult for Brady. And now, the five-time Pro Bowler seems to be giving No. 12 fits on the practice field.
According to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald, Brady avoided throwing toward Revis during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills at practice on Friday. In fact, Guregian said Brady “didn’t throw a single pass” to any receiver Revis was covering and neither did backup quarterback Ryan Mallett.
Yesterday, Brady and Mallett constantly threw to the left, instead of right, where Revis was marking the receiver lined up wide. And the minute Revis was replaced, usually by either Logan Ryan or Daxton Swanson, Brady would go right at Ryan or Swanson. It was almost automatic. At one point after Revis switched out, Mallett hit three straight passes, the last of which was to Julian Edelman, all against Swanson on the right side.
Revis was asked after practice if he gets bored when quarterbacks don’t throw his way.
“I love competition,” he said with a laugh. “I think that’s why we play this game, is to compete every Sunday and to go out there and execute your job and try to win games. I love competition. I never back down from any challenge. It’s just going out there competing, and doing your job and trying to help your team win.”
Most people expect Revis to be even better this season than he was last. He’ll have a full post-ACL surgery season under his belt, and Bill Belichick has a reputation for getting the most out of his players and utilizing all of their talent.
Brady’s as competitive as they come — even in practice. If he’s not throwing toward Revis, there’s a good reason for that.
