An Open Letter to New York Jets’ Cornerback Darrelle Revis

Aug 26, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Jets 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Dear Darrelle:

Hi Darrelle. I know I can speak for the entire fan base when I say how excited we are that your rehab is going so well. Running outside in 4-6 weeks is just unbelieveable and a testament to your hard work. It sounds like you are doing all you can to return to the lineup as the Darrelle Revis of old.

Before I go on, I wanted to say to you the points I am going to make moving forward are on behalf of Jets fans around the area as well. I know there are many that share my opinions, so it felt like it was time to present you with this open letter.

It’s about the trade rumors Darrelle. Don’t think for one second anyone in the Jets fan base really WANTS to see you on another team. Come on. Do you have any idea the level of pride we feel when you are blanketing the best receivers in football? We love you Darrelle. You know the history of this team, we haven’t had a lot of great players to love the way we love you sir. Don’t ever forget that.

But there are some things here that we aren’t happy with you about Darrelle. This public attitude regarding the whole thing is putting a lot of us off. What’s with that? We know you are a great player, but does that mean you have to act like you are bigger than the team? Nobody is bigger than the team. I know you understand that football is a business, so it’s not fair for you to get upset when the Jets TREAT it like a business.

Like the idea that “you need answers” regarding the trade rumors. Why? You are a member of a football team, that football team can trade you, should they so desire to, am I wrong? What makes you deserve more from that football team than Jeremy Kerley, Austin Howard or Robert Malone? Nothing! That’s what. It might be NICE if you were given answers, don’t get me wrong. You have done so much for this football team, it might be nice if they kept you in the loop as to their thought processes, but the fact is they don’t have to.

August 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) shown on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Be mindful, Darrelle, of how some of your comments might come across. For example, you talk about the idea of being a “Jet for Life”. We love that. I think you know that the fans love that idea. If we could keep you for your whole career, and make it work, that would be everyone’s first choice.

But, if you truly feel that way, is calling the owner out the best way to achieve that goal? Even if you firmly believe that about the owner, which I think many would agree with you, why not duck that question? Come off as the better person, but not dragging your boss down like that. I know that Andrea asked you the question, and you were answering it. But, you could say to her how you are not focusing on that, just your rehab. Wouldn’t that have been the safer way to go through that?

Finally, if you really want to be a Jet for Life, you are going to have to back down from your loft contract demands. You are a smart guy, you know that the team has problems with the salary cap. Look around the league, nobody pays a cornerback the type of money you are looking for. If you truly want to be part of a team, think about, just think about, a cap friendly contract.

And please, back off the media push. If you have to talk about how great you are, it diminishes your actual greatness. Use your head Darrelle, that’s all we ask.

Go Jets!

Sincerely, Alan Schechter