Posted by Mike Florio on June 2, 2012, 2:16 PM EDT
Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis may cause problems for the team by taking a stand over his two-year-old deal. Revis realizes that he may not be the only source of possible consternation in 2012. The presence of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow on the roster may create issues, too.
“It could cause a problem,” Revis recently told Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. “We’re not going to sit here and say it can’t. I think our focus is just being positive about the situation and making sure these guys actually get along, which they do, and work together. That’s the only thing you can do. We win games, everybody is getting a pat on the back. We lose games, that’s where it might cause controversy. All in all, we’re just excited.”
If it becomes a problem, Revis should place some of the blame on himself, for sending mixed signals to the locker room. Last month, Revis raved about Tim Tebow’s leadership abilities.
“He’s a born leader, he really is,” Revis said. “Very few athletes have the gift he has. He tries to lead by example all the time. He tries to be positive, which is awesome, and that [has resulted] in his success on the field. . . . Some people have it, some guys don’t. It’s the passion within, wanting to be a leader, wanting to win. You see it all the time, eating lunch, walking down the hallway. You see it.”
As Revis sees it, however, Sanchez should keep his job.
“That’s what we know as a team,” Revis said. “Mark is the leader of the offense and the starting quarterback. . . . He’s improved a lot and he’s going to keep on improving. Mark works very hard. This guy is here all the time. Usually here with me. He does what he does. Don’t write him off.”
It’s not a direct conflict in the cornerback’s comments, but it definitely creates an atmosphere of uncertainty that could quickly become a firestorm if/when Sanchez struggles to start the regular season.
Even though there may not be a “problem” just yet, Revis admits a quarterback controversy indeed exists, despite the team’s repeated proclamations that Sanchez is the starter.
“It already started,” Revis said. “This is something we are going to have to deal with probably for a couple of years. We’ll see how it pans out.”
Perhaps realizing the potential impact of his words, Revis eventually tried to joke his way out of the minefield, claiming that neither guy should be starting.
“I’m the best quarterback,” Revis declared. “I’ve been talking to coach [Tony] Sparano and he’s talking about giving me a couple of plays. He’s going to let me throw a couple of balls. I’m the best quarterback on this team.”
The sad part is that some may actually agree with Revis.
