FOXBORO — It’s been six months since Bill Belichick and Darrelle Revis teamed up to form a tandem that would make defensive gurus drool on their playbooks.
As one Patriots player observed, Belichick is in “awe” with Revis’ talent and potential now that he has gained an up-close vantage point of the all-world cornerback. Belichick is an all-time defensive mastermind, and Revis is the best corner of his generation.
Together, they’re in position to drive opposing offenses bananas, and they’re surely putting together a doozy with the purposes of fitting Dolphins first-time offensive coordinator Bill Lazor for a straightjacket after Sunday’s season opener. It will be just the first example of how Belichick will finagle with his defense on a weekly basis, and Revis plays an obviously significant role in the roadmap.
So far, the former Patriots rival has been enthralled with his newest instructor, and player and coach are clearly in lockstep.
“He’s a genius,” Revis told the Herald. “I feel he’s a genius. He’s smart. He’s been through every football situation that you can think of, and it’s good to be around a guy who has that much knowledge of the game and can tell you the details in and out about it. And even tell you about his past experiences with him coaching at the Giants and other places.
“His experience is overwhelming, and I think everyone on this team appreciates what he’s done and what he’s going to continue to do. But at the same time, it’s great to have his football smarts along with great players on this team to where we can team up and do something really great this year.”
Belichick gushed nearly as much about the 29-year-old five-time Pro Bowl defender.
“I think if any of our players want to see why he’s had such a successful career, all they have to do is watch him prepare off the field and work,” Belichick said.
