So Smart, Safety Is Coming
The all important reason for why the decrease in speed isn’t as big a factor as it would be for many corners is quite simple: Darrelle Revis isn’t just a cornerback, he’s a football player.
A guy like Deion Sanders turned into squat once speed eluded him. He couldn’t tackle; never played tough; and while smart against the pass, wasn’t an overall brilliant defender (when it came to field awareness).
Revis is the exact opposite.
At 6’0” and 205 lbs., Darrelle is a fierce tackler at the position and is so smart defensively that his transition to safety will be real and seamless.
It will happen. Think Charles Woodson.
With five more years on his deal, Revis will either accept the transition to safety gracefully at some point over the next two seasons, or no longer don the green and white.
The best part is, though, he’s a natural to make the move. Unlike many of the diva corners we’ve seen prance their way through the NFL, Revis can, and will, play the safety position for the Jets.
When that happens, his below average speed for the corner spot will suddenly turn above average to good at safety.
This point is, Revis has a soft place (safety) to land unlike many elite corners who start losing athletic ability.
