Revis the Patriot: Countdown to March 10th

[SeoulSoxFan]

Ouch. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000391464/article/vince-wilfork-patriots-d-to-go-back-to-drawing-board?campaign=Twitter_atl_patra

Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders had some harsh words for Revis on Sunday night during NFL Network's GameDay Highlights show.
 
"I love him, he is a good corner, but he has to get back to the old Revis or they are going to keep victimizing him," Sanders said. "He played a fairly good game but not a great game, and I expect a little more. I know I'm going to get more because he has to get that attitude back. They brought him over there to take them to the next level, not to be an average corner. He's better than that."

 
Pretty unfair. 5 targets, 2 PD and another that was a semi-miracle TD "catch". Revis tends to have a bit more trouble with faster receivers and Wallace is pretty up there. 
 
Having said that, he got bailed out on Wallace's double move as well. The whole team shat the bed in the second half and Revis can't escape that blame.

 

[Shelterdog]

Ouch. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000391464/article/vince-wilfork-patriots-d-to-go-back-to-drawing-board?campaign=Twitter_atl_patra


 
Pretty unfair. 5 targets, 2 PD and another that was a semi-miracle TD "catch". Revis tends to have a bit more trouble with faster receivers and Wallace is pretty up there. 
 
Having said that, he got bailed out on Wallace's double move as well. The whole team shat the bed in the second half and Revis can't escape that blame.

I'd care a lot more about what Deion said if I thought Deion watched the game. No way he sees more than highlights of any game.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

So what's with the buried lede?

 

[amlothi]

Revis has not impressed. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I haven't seen a lock down defender yet. Got beat a few times in the game today, again.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Revis has not impressed. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I haven't seen a lock down defender yet. Got beat a few times in the game today, again.

He was one last week.  Against Miami, he was very good as well.

 

[jsinger121]

Revis has not impressed. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I haven't seen a lock down defender yet. Got beat a few times in the game today, again.

He shut Greg Jennings down last week.

 

[SWHB]

I thought he played pretty well today.  Not sure there was much he could do on the long throw down the sideline; looked like a great route and timing between the QB and receiver.

 

[Stitch01]

If you are expecting pre ACL Revis, you might be disappointed.

As someone who can more or less replace Talib, he's pretty good.

 

[Tony C]

Yeah, Revis has been really good. No complaints even if he hasn't wowed with spectacular plays.

 

[H78]

He's been good, but not "highest paid CB in the league" great, which is what he thinks he's worth.

 

[Jinhocho]

Revis Island has become Revis Sandbar...

 

[dcmissle]

He's been good, but not "highest paid CB in the league" great, which is what he thinks he's worth.

Which, if this were to be the case at the end of the season, the Pats can take of easily enough.

I know we can multitask, but this has the flavor of complaining about overpaying for the expensive car in your driveway when every fucking appliance in the house is broken.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Which, if this were to be the case at the end of the season, the Pats can take of easily enough.

I know we can multitask, but this has the flavor of complaining about overpaying for the expensive car in your driveway when every fucking appliance in the house is broken.

I don't think the appliance part of your analogy fits. I mean are you that bearish?

 

[amlothi]

If you are expecting pre ACL Revis, you might be disappointed.

As someone who can more or less replace Talib, he's pretty good.

He's been good, but not "highest paid CB in the league" great, which is what he thinks he's worth.

This is where I am coming from. I expected him to be an upgrade from Talib. I'm not yet convinced he will be.

 

[Super Nomario]

This is where I am coming from. I expected him to be an upgrade from Talib. I'm not yet convinced he will be.

Frankly, I think this is silly. The Raiders averaged 5.1 YPA today (which is terrible). None of their receivers had more than 43 yards. They didn't score a touchdown. They had one pass play of more than 20 yards. And all that was with zero pass rush. Is your recollection that no one ever caught balls against Talib?

 

[LuckyBen]

Frankly, I think this is silly. The Raiders averaged 5.1 YPA today (which is terrible). None of their receivers had more than 43 yards. They didn't score a touchdown. They had one pass play of more than 20 yards. And all that was with zero pass rush. Is your recollection that no one ever caught balls against Talib?

My only recollection of Talib is him sitting out at the critical points of our season.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

I think teams are to the point where well placed throws to guys in single coverage are a better gamble than throwing it where a CB has help over the top. So the Revis' and Shermans' of the world are going to see some throws their way. The TV talking heads are going to continue to track where the ball goes and act like no one ever threw toward him in the past. It's not like Revis never was tested when he was with the Jets, he just made a name for himself holding guys like Moss to no TD's. 

 

[geigercount]

Talib got beat on a bomb for a TD to Ricardo Lockette. They all get beat if the QB makes a great throw.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

Yeah; there isn't going to be a Ty Law or Dick Lane again, because you're not allowed to touch a receiver anymore. That said, Revis has been a B-, maybe a B so far. Fingers crossed that he goes to the A+ we all expected.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Yes, even the best corners get beat sometimes, Revis included. But he is supposed to be - and is being paid like - a transformational defensive player. A player who can lock down a guy or a side of the field and change what your defense can do. Shrink the amount of field BB and Co. need to defend. He has not been that. Not really close. He's been...solid. And I understand why people think it's disappointing so far to be investing all that money, and all that excitement, in someone who's merely solid (so far) when we were expecting "Revis Island" Revis.

 

[soxfan121]

Yeah; there isn't going to be a Ty Law or Dick Lane again, because you're not allowed to touch a receiver anymore. That said, Revis has been a B-, maybe a B so far. Fingers crossed that he goes to the A+ we all expected.

 
What would constitute A+? 
 
Zero catches on ten targets, two picks, three passes deflected and an OPI call?
 
I'm convinced that if Revis doesn't do a helmet-stand and kick-save the ball from a goal-line pass with the game on the line, no one will think he's as good as advertised.

 

[Super Nomario]

Yes, even the best corners get beat sometimes, Revis included. But he is supposed to be - and is being paid like - a transformational defensive player. A player who can lock down a guy or a side of the field and change what your defense can do. Shrink the amount of field BB and Co. need to defend. He has not been that. Not really close.

I don't know how you can be sure about that, unless you watch the all-22. The defense is #1 in fewest Net Yards / Pass Attempt, #1 (among teams that have played three games) in passing yards allowed, tied for #1 in interceptions. They haven't played a murderer's row of offenses, certainly, but #1 is pretty good. Revis individually occasionally gets beaten on a shallow cross or a curl or something, but that doesn't preclude that he's transforming the defense in the way you describe by allowing them to rotate coverage elsewhere.

 

[JimBoSox9]

It feels like at a high level, some folks are reacting to the  expectation that Revis would bring a fundamental change in how NE defends the pass between the 20s.  In the 1st half Carr sported a gaudy completion percentage on the back of a number of safe, short, comeback/sitdown/checkdown-type routes, several of which were completed on Revis and/or for first downs.  Those drives generally ran out of gas before the red zone, but it demonstrated classic Belichick bend-don't-break, keep the receivers in front of you, avoid big plays, tighten up when the field gets short.  Revis has become a strong additive part of that rather than fundamentally altering the approach.  In retrospect, I don't think he was sweating some of those early completions on him nearly as much as I was.  

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

And the Seahawks, the best defense in FOREVER allowed Manning to go 90 yards down the field in 40 seconds at the end of regulation and badly blew several coverages in the process.
 
DBs give up catches at times.

 

[Saints Rest]

The few times yesterday when I paid specific attention to Revis pre-snap, it seemed like he would present with press coverage, and then drop 8 yards off.  I was at a bar and couldn't rewind, but I did DVR the game so I may try to track this later this week if I have the time.  I have no idea how this might be the same or different compared to prior seasons.  I do wonder if it will take him and BB a few games to figure out how the team defense works with Revis in it, before they can go into full Revis Island mode.

 

[Stitch01]

He did this a lot against Minnesota too IIRC

 

[Devizier]

Given how terrible the offense has been so far, I have very few complaints about a defense that's been asked to do a lot of heavy lifting early on.

 

[Devizier]

  Those drives generally ran out of gas before the red zone, but it demonstrated classic Belichick bend-don't-break, keep the receivers in front of you, avoid big plays, tighten up when the field gets short.  Revis has become a strong additive part of that rather than fundamentally altering the approach.  In retrospect, I don't think he was sweating some of those early completions on him nearly as much as I was.  

 
 
And the Seahawks, the best defense in FOREVER allowed Manning to go 90 yards down the field in 40 seconds at the end of regulation and badly blew several coverages in the process.

 
Not unrelated. Watching that drive reminded me why Belichick favored using soft zone coverage while holding on to late leads.

 

[ivanvamp]

Talib got beat on a bomb for a TD to Ricardo Lockette. They all get beat if the QB makes a great throw.

 
This.  And Sherman got beat for that game-tying 2-point conversion on a great throw and great catch.  When the offensive guys execute at that level, no CB in the world can prevent completions from happening.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Might be time to change the thread title again.  The Island is still in use.

 

Rich Hill ‏@PP_Rich_Hill 6m6 minutes ago
For those questioning Darrelle Revis' impact, he ranks 5th in @PFF targets per coverage snap ranking. Means, yes, he's still being avoided.
 

 

[IdiotKicker]

Revis Isthmus?

 

[southshoresoxfan]

How about the simple fact they are the top ranked pass defense in the NFL? I think thats a pretty good indication Revis has had a positive effect.

Yes i know they havent had a murderers row (yet) but that hasnt stopped them pre revis from being gashed through the air.

 

[EricFeczko]

How about the simple fact they are the top ranked pass defense in the NFL? I think thats a pretty good indication Revis has had a positive effect.

Yes i know they havent had a murderers row (yet) but that hasnt stopped them pre revis from being gashed through the air.

Ugh...you mean by opposing passing yards allowed? That's not a great metric, because teams with poor running defenses are going to be run on more, leading to fewer pass attempts by the opposing team. Teams that score a lot will be garner more opposing passing yards, because opponents will be forced to attack through the air.

That being said, we're certainly a top ten passing defense this year by AYPA and other, more useful metrics.

 

[EricFeczko]

EDIT: nevermind; I was looking at the wrong stats page. Revis has definitely taken a step back since before his injury.

 

[cornwalls@6]

What do we make of this? Sounds as though he accepted it without any attitude. Still, somewhat surprised a veteran with his(I think) very good reputation for work ethic and professionalism would have what I assume was a un-excused tardiness. Culture shock compared to where he's been in the past perhaps?



http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/22/report-bill-belichick-sent-darrelle-revis-home-for-being-late/

 

[NatetheGreat]

Revis does have an excellent work ethic, but he's not necessarily a team-first guy by nature. Its possible to work hard and still be lousy at rigidly adhering to your boss's schedule.
 
As for Revis' overall performance, no it isn't on the 2009 level where he was basically in the argument for best CB ever. But he's still really damn good and having him on the roster is a net positive for the Pats D.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

In short, Revis' business manager is calling BS on the Volin story.
 
https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/525014377309958144
 
https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/525036374991577088

 

[DJnVa]

Without telling us which part is wrong, that statement doesn't add much.

Was he late? Was he sent home?

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

This makes more sense. He overslept, called in, and was told to stay home. He came in after practice to speak with BB and they've moved on. So the agent saying the story is wrong is refereeing to the "sent home" part.

On a phone, so you'll have to copy and paste the story link.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2014/10/instead_of_being_late_darrelle_revis_was_told_to_stay_home

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

God, I forgot what a horrid cesspool the PFT commentors form.

 

[DJnVa]

I can't wait for BB's next press conference.

 

[pokey_reese]

I assume this means that he will be on the bench for the first play by the Chicago offense?

 

[crystalline]

Seems like we have one of these "late to practice / sent home" stories every year. And every year it's no big deal.

It was a big deal with Adalius Thomas. After that episode he was basically finished.

Though I agree if it happens once and the player learns- no big deal.

 

[Super Nomario]

It was a big deal with Adalius Thomas. After that episode he was basically finished.

Though I agree if it happens once and the player learns- no big deal.

Thomas was already on the way out - he'd been a healthy scratch for a game earlier that year, and never played in the NFL again after that season.

 

[Ed Hillel]

It was a big deal with Adalius Thomas. After that episode he was basically finished.

Though I agree if it happens once and the player learns- no big deal.

It happened last year with Spikes, right? These were straws that broke the camels back type things. I'm not worried Revis is that guy at all.

 

[lexrageorge]

Thomas absolutely sucked on the playing field that last season, and was a locker room cancer on a team with several of them.  Spikes' offense was hardly an isolated incident, and he wasn't looking that good after he reinjured his knee late in the season.  

 

[dcmissle]

It will be a big deal only if Revis makes it one.  Which it seems he is not inclined to do. 
 
The rule -- if you're late, you're going home, even if there is a raging snowstorm that might excuse being tardy -- is not changing.  Even for Revis.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I don't care that he was late.  Shit happens.  I don't care that BB sent him home.  No one is above the rules.
 
I don't love that I know about it.  There doesn't seem to be a lot of purpose to that.
 
Now maybe it's something they could not contain.  But if BB made a decision to let people know about it, I disagree with that.
 
Not that this is a big deal.  It is not.  And I doubt Revis is all that fussed. 

 

[DJnVa]

I don't care that he was late.  Shit happens.  I don't care that BB sent him home. 

 
He didn't send him home.
 
Revis called in because he was going to be late and was told to stay home.
 

 

[Leather]

 
He didn't send him home.
 
Revis called in because he was going to be late and was told to stay home.
 

 
That's far less humiliating than showing up and being sent home.  It also shows at least slightly more respect by Revis to call up and inform the coaches he would be late. 
 
If I had to guess, I'd imagine the call went like this:
 
Revis: "Hey coach, I'm really sorry about this, [X happened] and I can't help but be late today.  Just letting you know.  I'll be there ASAP, though."
Belichick: "Uhhh...Well, Darrelle, you know the rules.  No late arrivals."
Revis: "I know, coach.  I just wanted to let you know, see if I should come in."
Belichick: "Nah, can't do it. Nobody is above the rules.  You might as well just stay home and study the plays."
Revis: "Ok, Coach. Sorry."
Belichick: "Ya, ya, Ok.  Oh, and Darrelle:  don't let it happen again."