Lovie’s Good With Revis’ 13 Percent
January 7th, 2014
Peter King talked cornerbacks with Lovie Smith
So many have misconstrued Joe’s take on Darrelle Revis. Joe’s not lobbying to ditch the guy. It’s not Joe’s $1 million-per-game, and the Revis is a great player.
Offenses clearly avoided Revis in 2013, and his Pro Bowl nod this season, without a ton of fan votes, helps illustrate the respect he commands. But the question, ‘Is Revis worth it?’ will come up every offseason because Revis has no guaranteed cash in his contract. Every year is a contract year.
The kind of money would evoke scrutiny of any player in any organization, especially a non-quarterback.
Barista-training, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball box score-reading Peter King, of SI.com and NBC Sports fame, notes in his column today that Revis earns 13 percent of the Bucs potential payroll next season — or more depending on how much the Bucs spend.
King talked to Lovie Smith about Revis and Lovie isn’t thinking about money.
I am glad to hear he doesn’t care if it means Revis will make 13 percent of the cap in 2014—you don’t discard great cover guys in modern football. “We’re trying to get as many good players as possible to win football games,’’ Smith said. “Any coach around would want a Darrelle Revis to be on his roster. We don’t play Cover 2 each snap. There’s a place for a good cover corner. I can’t wait to sit down with Darrelle and talk to him about his game and just kind of see as we go forward how we’re going to do this and win a lot of football games together. That’s all that’s on my mind right now. All those things work themselves out, but you’re right—the game is now more about three receivers on. And yeah, I’ve never been in a situation where we’ve had too many good corners.” Sound like a guy who wants to cut or trade Revis? I think not.
There’s surely no harm in seeing what Revis brings to the table for a season. Lovie isn’t married to the guy. If it doesn’t work well enough to command a $16 million salary, then Lovie can always move on.
What’s most interesting is what the Bucs do at the other cornerback positions. As Lovie states, three receiver sets are commonplace, and Lovie might not be so enamored with Leonard Johnson and Johnthan Banks.
January 7th, 2014 at 8:06 am
“As many good players as possible to win football games”
Novel thought around these parts.
January 7th, 2014 at 8:14 am
Gotta think that we’re about a season or two from being a well coached team that doesn’t have to overpay free agents to come play for what will hopefully be a contender. That’ll be pretty sweet.
January 7th, 2014 at 8:18 am
He’s worth it as long as the rest of the defense/team is performing well. You have to have a mixture of Vets & younger players. (we are saving big money on the QB & RB positions)
So….$16 mil on a 4-12 team….hell no…..but on a 11-5 team….hell yes!!!
January 7th, 2014 at 8:24 am
I think seeing the players that we already have being well coached and used properly will go a long way to showing us where we need to invest. We may have a few bargain players on our roster already that we haven’t even noticed their potential because they weren’t showcased the right way
January 7th, 2014 at 8:38 am
Plus I believe I heard his salary can be converted this year to signing bonus to clear up cap room. Joe anyway you can confirm that at some point?
January 7th, 2014 at 8:41 am
I saw nothing from Banks last season that tells me he isn’t worth keeping, he was probably the best rookie CB in the league, leaps and bounds beyond what Milner (when healthy) brought to the Jets at least….
January 7th, 2014 at 8:54 am
I saw that Cromartie is going to be a FA this year and I don’t believe the Jets are expected to snag him back up. Might be interesting to put him with Revis and let Banks take in a season in the slot and learn some more.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:08 am
You can’t just stick a guy at nickel back for the heck of it. Banks does not have the tools to be a slot guy.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:12 am
@Dhutch81 – I always thought that the nickel back was essentially just a third rate CB spot. Could be wrong as I’m really not much of a football tactician but that was the impression I always got. If that’s not the case then you may be right that it’s not a place where you can just stick someone to let them grow a bit more.
January 7th, 2014 at 9:15 am
I never worry about the next man’s bank account if it doesn’t effect me. Like the great philosopher Jay Z said. “What you eat don’t make me sh*t” Words to live by..
January 7th, 2014 at 9:29 am
The great philosopher Jay Z??? Really?
January 7th, 2014 at 9:30 am
You have to be alil more quick twitch and disciplined to play cb n the slot to deal with the small shifty receivers. But it’s a testament to your ability to play the position if your versatile and can move around like the good receivers do and the jets style of revis. And with that being said he has the speed and length to play the slot as long as he’s coached accordingly an I haven’t seen anything he’s done that says banks can’t b successful when kicked n the slot…. so if I can snatch a Tillman or Cromertie I’m all for it an then see who’s better fitted for the slot or the outside. But either way we gotta add 1 more this offseason
January 7th, 2014 at 9:40 am
I might be a bit hesitant with Banks in the slot cause I see him a step slower than a lot of slot receivers.
January 7th, 2014 at 10:00 am
Leonard is and should be on the bubble – he actually may be better suited for a zone scheme because of his lack of speed. Not sure why you would not like banks with some good coaching – Revis salary is ok if they’re winning this year will be the sure fire test for him coming back 100%. I think he’s going to dominate again!
January 7th, 2014 at 10:18 am
Stop! Revis is worth his salary. He’s a shutdown corner.
January 7th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Frazier and Lovie will be able to coach Banks up. He showed some good things last season for a rookie. He obvously has talent.
Leonard Johnson on the other hand should be on the first bus out of town.
January 7th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
I like Banks a lot I just think he is better suited to be on the outside, especially with that long frame.
January 7th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
@Dhutch: Great point. In the modern day NFL where the slot WRs are often small and shifty, you need a CB with a similar skill set to cover them. For example the Honey Badger with Arizona, besides being a good FS also does a heck of a job as a nickel CB due to his agility.
January 7th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
@fl mike
I think Milner win defensive rookie of the month in December. Regardless you have to keep Revis and Banks. Banks was a first year player, he can get much better. Johnson is a special teams guy and that’s about it.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
he’s worth it every year we don’t need the cap space. when we hit the cap ceiling we have a few options including cutting him outright. but right now, with $24 mil after cutting nicks and some other easy cap savings involving players far more dispensible, why should it be an issue for anyone? we have the cap space to add a pro bowl player and 2 or 3 other solid starters without breaking a sweat.
January 7th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
revis’ contract may be more of a challenge in 2 or 3 years’ time when we have to do deals for barron, doug martin, lavonte david, and others, but by then we’ll have drafted corners more in the mold of tillman & barber or revis may take less to stay in sunny FL and not find a new team at age 31