JETSerious: REV(IS)ERSE Psychology

Keep in mind, this is based purely on speculation… but enjoy!

What if the Revis trade rumors, which Woody Johnson supposedly initiated himself, were intentionally leaked?

There’s a lot of frustration throughout Jets Nation, about how Woody Johnson is wrong for opening his mouth. Besides, no owner should be discussing player personnel decisions with the public anyway… But what if Woody and new GM John Idzik have a strategy for the TMZ-like New York reporters that relentlessly chase after the Jets “circus”?

It’s not that far-fetched.

You see, by quietly leaking this rumor, the Jets can see what an injured Revis is worth on the open market.

Here’s a few options that could arise:

• Jets are offered a 1st round pick, along with a conditional 3rd round pick.

By taking this offer to the Revis-negotiation-table, the Jets are able to pitch an offer that exceeds the value of a 1st and 3rd round pick. Revis’ camp won’t be able to argue much, because it’s his going-rate in the open market.

• Jets are offered a mid-to-high 1st round pick in the upcoming draft.

The Jets will quickly realize that Revis is worth much, much more. They will then be able to take the offer to the Revis-table again, paying him a great amount, that represents his value compared to a 1st round pick.

• Jets are offered a package of mid-round picks, due to the perception of NFL circles that, “Woody’s desperate to get rid of him”.

This situation would be the most beneficial to the Jets. Idzik would be able to bring this to Revis’ camp, and explain that their offer will destroy the “open-market value” that the Jets would get in return for a trade. This will show Revis that the Jets are invested in him and also want to get a long-term deal done to keep him happy.

It’s worth it for the Jets to invest in him. I believe there are 4 cornerstones– Quarterback, Offensive Tackle, Pass Rusher, and Cornerback.

The Jets have 2 of the 4 set… Tackle and Cornerback… so it wouldn’t be wise to let a cornerstone fall, in my opinion.

I realize that I am “Pro-Revis” here, but you can’t argue that he has a knack for finding the ball.

Darrelle Revis is the only NFL cornerback that can shut down the top receivers, and make a play on a back-shoulder pass (while staying in-bounds) like this one below:

Please take the jump to page 2 where JETSerious will present a conclusion, and a (hypothetical) solution to all of this Revis saga!

Are the Jets gaining an edge on Revis’ contract negotiations, by using a media tactic?

Woody Johnson and John Idzik both bit their lips in their first press conference together… dodging any Revis talk.

Let’s take a look at what’s been going on thus far:

• Jets fans want to know what is going on.
• Revis is speechless.
• The media is running with speculation.
• Woody Johnson claims he, “does not know where (the reports) came from”.

But what about the contract negotiations? Remember how tense it got betwen Revis’ camp and Mr. T?

It got ugly. Really ugly.

So how do the Jets avoid the same situation?

Gain an edge.

How?

Well, the trade rumors can actually help.

By listening to offers, the Jets can see what an injured/recovering Revis will go for, and base their money-pitch off of that. The only thing Revis can say is that, he wants to prove he’s healthy and can still play at an elite level. The fact that Revis went through a horrible knee surgery is actually an advantage the Jets did not have in any of Darrelle’s holdouts.

Revis’ camp can try and get max value for him, but their expectations will have to be reduced… as they should, after the injury.

Obviously, a long-term deal for an elite player these days will involve a lot of money. It could be the most for a defensive player in NFL history, surpassing Mario Williams $96M on his 6 year deal. Williams, who inked his deal last year, is guaranteed $50M.

The Jets need to use his injury as an advantage in negotiations. It shouldn’t be that tough to get a contract agreement. Idzik (a new face in the process) can offer him a 10 year deal, without the constant bickering that went on with Tannenbaum in place.

Idzik can backload the contract so that the he can get the cap situation in better shape, by the time Revis is owed a butt-load of money.

Everybody wins. 10 years, $140 Million. $100 Million guaranteed.

• 2013 – $8 M
• 2014 – $10 M
• 2015 – $11 M
• 2016 – $13 M
• 2017 – $15.5 M
• 2018 – $16.5 M
• 2019 – $16.5 M
• 2020 – $16.5 M
• 2021 – $16.5 M
• 2022 – $16.5 M

Now, I’m not a cap guy… but to make something like this work, you’d have to manage signing bonuses, workout bonuses, etc.

You also would have to clear some cap-space by releasing…

• OT Jason Smith
• LB Calvin Pace
• LB Bart Scott
• S Eric Smith
• DT Sione Pouha (re-sign DeVito)

For greater detail, I’d have to refer you to nyjetscap. But this is all a hypothetical plan… to show that there are alternatives for this situation, and the Jets don’t have to trade Darrelle Revis.

You don’t have to necessarily agree with me here, but it’s hard to argue that there can be a long-term answer to this problem.

Trading Revis isn’t the only option for the Jets. Why Revis, anyway? What about other players (Cromartie/Harris/Ferguson) that have large pay-days coming their way?

You can certainly make the point that the Jets cannot afford to pay two cornerbacks in Revis and Cromartie. But with Cromartie’s stock at an all-time high, the Jets could listen to offers for “Good Cro”. It’s the inconsistencies with Cromartie that separates his play with Darrelle Revis. So while his stock is on the rise, see what his value is.

The point is… the possibilities are endless.

Whatever the answer may be, (as a Jets fan) I’d like to think that Woody Johnson has a plan up his sleeve. I’d like to think that he is outsmarting the media, as well as NFL circles. I’d like to think that he would not part ways with the greatest CB since Deon Sanders, and the best NY Jets player since Joe Namath, for less than a promising-future-value.

But it’s all up to the owner, and the new guy in charge — John Idzik.

We can only hope that Idzik has his head in the right place. While he told the media that he’s, “literally hours into the building”… maybe he’s actually working on his strategy for the NY media, Darrelle Revis’ contract, and clearing up cap space.

It’d certainly be a nice start to his tenure here in New York…. wouldn’t it?

Thanks for reading!

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