Revis Island

Revis Island, a term coined by the New York Jets dynamic coach Rex Ryan, nearly had its next inhabitant, only this time it was not going to be an All-Pro wide receiver. The New York Jets were in danger of being grounded if their star corner back, Darrelle Revis decided to continue his hold out.

The two had been at odds for most of this summer when it came to Revis' new contract. Darelle Revis was hoping to receive a contract similar to the one Oakland Radier's corner back Nnamdi Asomugha signed in 2009. Asomugha signed a six year deal which guaranteed him $28.6 million over the first two years of his contract and Revis was looking for a similar deal. Even though Revis did not win Defensive Player of the Year last year, many people thought he deserved it more than winner Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers. The Jets hyped up Revis, as they rightfully should have considering just how great of a season he had. But then when Revis came knocking doing his best Jerry Maguire impression, "Show me the money!!", the Jets were left blind-sided. 

Revis' contract had not yet expired so the Jets thought they were safe but Revis wanted his money. The two went back and forth throughout the off-season and just could not agree on a deal. Reports were that Revis was asking for too much money and the Jets weren't willing to pay that amount. No exact contract offer was released so few people know what happened behind closed doors. Well after a long battle the two finally came to an agreement. On Monday, September 6th, Revis signed a four year deal worth approximately $46 million. Throughout this battle many people have been slamming Revis saying, "you signed a contract so why don't you just play it out." Well, there are two issues with that argument.

Unlike other sports, a football contract is not guaranteed so many players do not see the amount of money that they would like. In baseball and basketball, contracts are guaranteed, which means the players can receive the full amount of their deals but football is not like that. If their deal is voided or if they are cut, a football player will never see the full amount of their deals. So many football players are left wondering where/who their next contract  will come from. Another reason why Revis was right in searching for more money is what occurred with the Jets last year. 

Leon Washington

Leon Washington, currently a Seattle Seahawks running back, was with the Jets last year. He too was looking for a new contract with the Jets, but instead of signing one, the Jets and Washington made a deal. The Jets said if Washington went out and played, they would give him a new contract in the off-season. Well, Washington, like a good soldier, agreed to go out there and give it his all,  fractured his fibula in Week 7 of the season, and was sidelined for the rest of the year. When Washington was sitting in the Jets office with his cast on his leg what do you think the Jets said to him? It probably was something like "we really appreciated what you did for us but we're not going to give you that contract we promised." Fact is, as much as we all dislike it, sports are a business and the business will do what is best for them. The Jets were looking out for themselves so why would they give a running back, who is now damaged goods a new deal?

After seeing what happened to his fellow teammate, how could you blame Revis for seeking more guaranteed money? Football is a cut-throat sport and at anytime your career can be taken from you. So Revis listened to the Jets when they called him the "best defensive player in the league" and when they called him their "MVP", and he did what was best for him. Revis took a page out of the Jets book and did what was best for him and in the end he got his money.