If Revis Leaves, A “Stunning End”
March 11th, 2014
Joe was taken aback by how quickly the news cycle blew up last night when it first was learned the Bucs were aggressively looking to trade all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis. Within a handful of minutes, it went from shopping Revis to almost cutting Revis.
Now remember the person who first Twittered last night the Bucs would release Revis by 4 p.m. Wednesday is the same scribe, five days ago, who Twittered authoritatively that Michael Bennett’s days in Seattle were finished. Yesterday, Bennett re-upped with the Seahawks.
Tom Pelissero of USA Today watched how the news exploded on the 21st Century version of the AP news wire, Twitter, and came away stunned how quickly things have turned for Revis in his short time with the Bucs.
It would be a stunning end in Tampa for a player former Bucs general manager Mark Dominik acquired from the New York Jets last April for the 13th overall pick in the 2013 draft and a conditional pick in 2014.
Coming off knee reconstruction surgery that ended his 2012 season, Revis started all 16 games for the Bucs, recording two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. ProFootballFocus.com ranked him as the No. 1 cornerback in the league.
Asked at last month’s NFL scouting combine about Revis’ 2013 performance, Dominik’s replacement, Jason Licht told USA TODAY Sports: “I think he was playing through some injuries last year. It’s a lot of circumstances that weren’t really fair to completely judge him on what he did last year. Right now, he’s an asset to our football team.”
Last night, Joe felt like he was living the character of Richard Nixon in the Oliver Stone cartoon “Nixon.” Upon learning the news that Revis was about to be a soon-to-be a former Buccaneer, Joe had flashbacks to that ugly horror movie “Friday the 13th: The 2012 Bucs Secondary.” Joe reacted not unlike whenever Nixon learned bad news in the Stone cartoon, he would have flashbacks to his unpleasant childhood.
(Joe is convinced Stone’s cartoon “Nixon” was the inspiration for hit TV series “24.”)
This should be an interesting 48 hours.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:08 am
If it’s true I’m over this bs. Just letting star players walk for nothing. While the stinking Cleveland browns get 1st round picks for a back up runningback. We couldn’t even trade are supposed franchise qb. While the eagles get 3rd pick every year for there backups. We are the true laughing stock of the league. New uniforms same dysfunctional bucs.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:09 am
Reminder when Licht said 2 weeks ago that Revis was an ” asset ” ? Made me wonder then if they would really pull the trigger. Hope they have some aces up their sleeve !
March 11th, 2014 at 8:10 am
If you are surprised by all this, then you have not been paying attention. Lovie and Licht have been dropping hints everywhere. Did you really just think that all the problems were “coaching issue’s” .
Its an exciting Day in Tampa Bay!!!
Go Bucs!!!
March 11th, 2014 at 8:11 am
I don’t buy it. The cap increased by 8%, and there are teams with 20-40 million in cap space.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:12 am
“Now remember the person who first Twittered last night the Bucs would release Revis by 4 p.m. Wednesday is the same scribe, five days ago, who Twittered authoritatively that Michael Bennett’s days in Seattle were finished. Yesterday, Bennett re-upped with the Seahawks.”
Sounds familiar. THANK YOU, JOE!!!
Calm down people. Calling for the coach and GM’s head over something that hasn’t even happened yet is the epitome of “overreaction”.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:12 am
The only way that Licht and Lovie make up for cutting Revis, is if they sign two studs at Defensive End. I’m talking Michael Johnson AND Jared Allen.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:18 am
His ego will come back to earth. He won’t get 16m anywhere else (nor should have he in TB).
Whether Revis restructures, or is gone, Licht has to put in the dirty work to fix Dominick’s many screwups.
I’m excited just to watch Licht at work.
Realist Lightning Mob!
March 11th, 2014 at 8:22 am
Cut the loss. Get our 3rd rnd pick, sign 2 impact players. 1st nd draft pick from last is gone! It’s all about value and no 16M$/y for a CB won’t get you anywhere.
I’m even for pushing some dead money (3-4M$ max) to next year by lowering this year contract to make a deal happen.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:23 am
How often does your first round pick turn out to be an All-Pro and a pro bowler in his first year. So let’s cut our first round pick? This is the dumbest move the team has ever made
March 11th, 2014 at 8:23 am
Another hint : Revis was not featured in our new uniforms. For our most talented, most well paid player to not be the featured in them was truly indicative that the plan was not to include him in the team’s future.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Brent Grimes and just got $10 million a year?? Nobody is biting on the trade for Revis because they know we will cut him. Then they can sign him for similar money and give us nothing. You do not let your All-Pro, Pro bowl cornerback just walk away because you think you were paying him too much, when realistically you’re paying him about what he should get.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Why is every one calling Lovie and Licht idiots? Hey! I know. Let’s wait for FA.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:29 am
what a great day to start free agency. we are going to release the best corner in football in a really weak year for free agency. damn this sucks im guessing lovie smith will probably bring tillman but he played terrible last year, i honestly much rather bring back ronde. this move to me makes no sense when lets say revis plays bad next year for the bucs you could just release him and still wont cost you any money. im pissed
March 11th, 2014 at 8:29 am
@pcola
The new uniforms came out yesterday on the buccaneer shop and one of three players featured with both colors is Revis. The only reason he wasn’t in the Nike thing is because he’s a dick
March 11th, 2014 at 8:29 am
It would be like releasing your first round pick the next year, don’t do it L&L, or there will be one more pissed Buc fan
March 11th, 2014 at 8:35 am
This needs to be said.
Why would Revis want to play here anyway?
Tampa Bay isn’t exactly a players dream. I’d wash my hands of this stuffed dumpster of a team and sign with a contender.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:38 am
If they cut Revis, then the overall grade for RockStar’s tenure goes to “F”.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:38 am
1.9 mil.
That’s how much Sheldon Richardson costs this year. 1.8m last year.
That’s why you don’t need to cut actual first round pick. Revis costs nearly 10 first rounders (at that slot) per year.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:38 am
Asset = Something of Value = Revis will be Traded
Even if it is for a set of new Whitewalls for the Buccaneer Band Wagon that the wheels fell off of last year
March 11th, 2014 at 8:39 am
This could be smoke put out there by a team who wants Revis
to lower Revis’ trade value
March 11th, 2014 at 8:39 am
I’ll take 2 stud DE’s and Tillman over keeping Revis in this system
March 11th, 2014 at 8:40 am
It would be STUPID to cut him. Trade him next year, we don’t need the cap space this year because there are no free agents to sign.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:40 am
@biff:
Exactly.
I’ve always had the feeling that Revis wasn’t anything more than a rental.
He came here because he had NO other option at the time. Period.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:44 am
To the MEDIA: Never let the FACTS get in the way of a good story!!
Jesus H Christ…..
March 11th, 2014 at 8:51 am
No news is bad news here, you know they want this done before the 4:00 dinner bell rings. So would the potential trade partner(s).
Although who they sign today might influence what they do with him. If keeping him is even an option at all now.
Sure would be nice to get at least a 2nd rounder.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:52 am
It’s actually an insanely damning indicted of Lovie’s new regime. Money is not even remotely an issue and they are not getting a corner close to Revis. This is Lovie saying my system that no longer works is going to work. Rough times ahead it seems.
March 11th, 2014 at 8:54 am
If they get anything less than a high 1st RD pick for him it will be bad. Why not give him a chance to prove himself one more year? I don’t like this at all…
March 11th, 2014 at 8:54 am
*Indictment….but yeah this makes us the Browns south. And the frontrunners for Jameis, so there’s that I guess…
March 11th, 2014 at 8:58 am
Who says we are sure to get any CB worth anything in free agency. We have plenty of cap room. This coach and GM said they wanted revis and called an assets. Sounds like schiano lies and everyone crucified schiano for lying. Why do we give lovie and GM a pass.
When dungy was here with TPA2 you didn’t have 3WR and top TE on every team in division. You need 2 great corners and 1 nickel in this division. Revis gone we have nothing !!!!
March 11th, 2014 at 8:58 am
Who says we are sure to get any CB worth anything in free agency. We have plenty of cap room. This coach and GM said they wanted revis and called an assets. Sounds like schiano lies and everyone crucified schiano for lying. Why do we give lovie and GM a pass.
When dungy was here with TPA2 you didn’t have 3WR and top TE on every team in division. You need 2 great corners and 1 nickel in this division. Revis gone we have nothing !!!!
March 11th, 2014 at 8:59 am
Snook, a rental pretty much sums Revis up since there were never any guarantees in the contract at all. He was basically given appearance money every Sunday at noon.
There is no way we’ll be able to work a trade now so we cut bait tomorrow. I’m thinking he’s on his way to the Pat’s since they are to smart to give Talib any more than a one year gig.
March 11th, 2014 at 9:27 am
Oh no. We suck again. I know that there are a lot of people who want Revis gone which I have been against. At least some people will be happy if this happens. I realize that regaining our 3rd round pick would be great but I am sick of our secondary being torched. I am expecting Nothing out of this team. I see us doing nothing of note with a bunch of value no name picks. But hey we will have more picks to waste in the Draft and have a lot more money to spend on useless players. All I keep remembering is lovie trading for Gaines Adams. I hope they make me eat crow but I am expecting more futility. Sad day so far. IMO.
March 11th, 2014 at 9:37 am
Getting the 3rd “back” is so misleading. We essentially move up 32 spots in the draft. Keep the 3rd, give up a 4th. Unless Darelle Revis Jr. is available in the 3rd and not the 4th, this is just mind bogglingly stupid.
March 11th, 2014 at 11:25 am
16 million is too much cap space to be occupied by any player besides a QB. They could have 2 very good corners for that cap room.
I was surprised to hear about this last night because I thought Lovie was looking forward to having his defense run with a guy like Revis in mind. I understand the logic though, and it’s the same reason why I was vehemently against this trade last year. This team needs quantity of players and they need the cap space to sign them. There’s not a broad enough talent base on this team to warrant carrying a 16 million dollar CB. Rather have 2, 3, or 4 quality starters elsewhere on the team. Lovie’s defense can still thrive without a top cover CB.
If he’s cut, this isn’t on Lovie and Licht. It’s on Dominik and Schiano for making the idiotic trade in the first place.
March 11th, 2014 at 11:34 am
The Bucs have the cap space for Revis and he would be going into the 2014 season 100% recovered from his knee injury. Not to mention he’s one of the best corners in the game. This can’t be a scheme issue, Love made a point to let everyone know his defense plays more man coverage than people think. Good coaches find a way to use talented players, regardless of scheme. This whole situation doesn’t make much sense. If they cut him without getting anything in return, this new regime will look totally incompetent.
March 11th, 2014 at 11:58 am
How about Revis to Cleveland and switch draft positions ?
They have plenty of money under the cap and with Haden they would instantly have the best corner tandem in the league.
We would then have a realistic chance at Clowney. Worst case we could trade down from the number 3 position and get additional pics.
March 11th, 2014 at 12:02 pm
^ Wrong. The mistake was made by Dominik in giving Revis 16 million. That was a desperate move. The new regime is looking to sign a number of players in free agency, and freeing up that 16 mil gives them a chance to fill multiple needs. On balance, Lovie’s defense can function without a superstar corner, but not without a pass rush.
March 11th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Bucrightoff- all of your post are spot on.
I said this earlier- if Lovie can’t fit the leagues best CB in his defense, then he hasn’t changed, and we should start looking for a new coach Right now.
IF,If they cut Revis, it’s the stupidest move, for a franchise known for stupidity
March 11th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
If they cut Revis and they don’t win right away Lovie might not last a year. You have to be a complete moron to cut your best player.
March 11th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Cap space allows them to fill more needs elsewhere on the roster. Revis eating up 12% of the cap makes no sense for a team needing upgrades everywhere. They can get 2, 3, or 4 players with that cap space. Lovie’s defense can use Revis’ skills, but does not require them. It DOES require a pass rush. And the O-line needs help, and they need a TE, and a slot receiver, and depth at WR… Revis is great, but no player is worth 12% of your cap outside of a franchise QB.