When Darrelle Revis went down for the season in Week 4, the Jets turned to Antonio Cromartie (right) to take over as the shutdown corner. Cromartie has risen to the task, holding his own against the Texans' Andre Johnson and the Colts' Reggie Wayne the last two games. (AP) |
The Jets know it’s not easy to replace the best player on your team -- and it’s even more difficult when he’s the best player in the league at that position.
That’s the situation the Jets are in after CB Darrelle Revis tore his ACL in Week 4 against the 49ers. Revis, who is having surgery on Tuesday, has been placed on injured reserve. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Russell Warren, the New York Giants team doctor. On Monday, Revis told the media that he expects to make a full recovery.
"I never had an injury like this, so this is all new for me as well," Revis said. "But, yeah, I'm a hard worker. I know I'm going to work my butt off and get back to where I need to be."
What will be interesting to follow is how this will impact Revis’ desire for a new contract. The Jets gave Revis a new deal in 2010, which runs through 2013, but he was looking for something new at the end of 2012. On Monday, speaking to the media, Revis acknowledged that he will now have to prove that he can return from this injury and still be worthy of the money he is asking for.
"I'm sure it might raise people's eyebrows with how I'm going to look when I come back," he said. "I'm OK with that. I wouldn't expect anything less. I'm going to treat it like any other offseason."
With Revis sidelined, the team has gone to Plan B: Life Without Revis.
With Revis on the field, the Jets were able to leave him alone and he was able to almost take away half the field. That's not something a defense can normally expect a player to do. So, once Revis went out, the defense needed reconfiguring.
Enter CB Antonio Cromartie.
Cromartie is now the team’s No. 1 cornerback. Coach Rex Ryan has said repeatedly that he would be the No. 1 cornerback on any other team that didn’t have Revis. However, while Cromartie is known for his extraordinary talent, he has also been known for his inconsistency. In the last two games, Cromartie has been consistent with good play, shutting down Texans WR Andre Johnson and Colts WR Reggie Wayne.
Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said Cromartie has also taken on a stronger leadership role off the field. They point to the improved play of players like CB Ellis Lankster and S Antonio Allen, who both registered their first career interception against the Colts, as proof of Cromartie's extended role.
Players like Lankster and Allen can expect to become more involved as Pettine uses more of his sub packages to overcome Revis' absence.
As for Revis, once the surgery is over he will go into full rehab mode -- all of which is being filmed for a documentary. See Jets fans, you will still get to see Revis in 2012. It just won't be on the field.
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