Since 2007, one defensive player has dominated the NFL. He has created a name for himself in the league, causing quarterbacks and wide receivers to fear his presence on the field. The three time Pro-Bowler and two time All-Pro is known for shutting down great wide receivers thanks to his speed, instincts and quickness. New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is the most well rounded cornerback in the game today.This season, he is considered the top cornerback in the NFL, and it appears like he will remain at the top for many years to come.
Revis' career began at the Aliquippa High School in Pennsylvania. As a senior, Revis led the Aliquippa football team to the Class AA State Championship where they defeated Northern Lehigh 32-27. That same year, Revis was named the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2003 Player of the Year. In 2004, Revis committed to the University of Pittsburgh. In his freshman year, he was named to the first-team Freshman All-American team. Revis was extremely dominate for the rest of his college career, especially his last season as a junior where he was nominated for Jim Thorpe Award. Instead of playing college football as a senior, he was eligible for the 2007 NFL draft. Going into the draft, Revis was one of the top three defensive backs of college football. That is why he was drafted 14th overall by the New York Jets.
In just his first game as a starting cornerback, Revis held Patriots wide reciever Wes Welker to just 6 catches for 61 yards. Immediately, teams knew they had to take Revis seriously. The Jets' rookie sensation had exceptional speed and intellect, leaving offensive coordinators baffled. By the end of his rookie season, Revis only allowed three touchdowns to the receiver whom he was guarding (Lee Evans, Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens). In 2008, Revis' second season in the NFL, he improved quite substantially. In Week 4 of the 2008 season, the Jets faced off against the Arizona Cardinals, and Revis had to cover the great Cardinals wide receiver duo consisting of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Amazingly, Revis intercepted Kurt Warner twice, returning one for a touchdown. Revis did extremely well that year, and many scouts noted he was better at reading plays. By the end of the year, not as many passes came his way; instead, quarterbacks would through towards Jets rookie Dwight Lowery, causing the Jets' pass defense to rank 29th overall. However, Revis still managed to make that season's Pro Bowl.
Revis started off the 2009 season matched up against wide receiver Andre Johnson, one of the best in the league. Amazingly, he limited Johnson to just four receptions for 35 yards, proving to the fans and media once again that he is one of the top defensive players in the NFL. The next week, the Jets played Brady and the Patriots, where Revis had to defend another Pro-Bowler in Randy Moss. For the second consecutive week, Revis shut-down his man, allowing Moss to four receptions and 24 receiving yards. Besides letting up two touchdowns, one to Ted Ginn Jr. and one to Randy Moss, Revis was almost perfect for the rest of the year. In Week 16, the Jets played against the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts. Thanks to Revis' great defensive performance (allowing Reggie Wayne to 3 receptions for 33 yards), the Jets handed Peyton Manning his first loss of the season. Revis finished the season strong against Chad Ochocinco by not allowing him to have a single reception. That win allowed Revis the oppurtunity to play in the playoffs once his Jets won the Wild Card with a 9-7 record. The Jets won their first two games in the playoffs, first against the Bengals, and then the Chargers. In the AFC Championship game though, Revis would have to guard Reggie Wayne once more as the Jets played the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts. For the second time, Revis overpowered Wayne, limiting him to just 3 receptions for 55 total yards (Wayne was the only starting wide receiver on the Colts who did not score a touchdown). However, Revis' great performance was not enough, for the Colts dismembered the Jets 30-17.
The 2010 season did not start very well for Revis, for he missed all of training camp and preseason during a contract holdout (4 years, $32 million). Things only got worse for Revis once the season began. In Week 2, after getting beat by Randy Moss for a touchdown, Revis strained his hamstring and left the game. He missed the next two games due to his injury. After being activated to play in Week 5 against the Vikings, he re-agravated his hamstring, and left the game early. Next week, against the Broncos, he was told he was ready to play, but, once again, Revis aggravated his hamstring and left the game. Luckily, Revis was able to play the last 8 games of the season, and did extremely well against Pro Bowl wide receivers. While playing the Detroit Lions, Revis limited Calvin Johnson to just 1 reception for 13 yards. Then, two weeks later, Revis overpowered wide receiver Andre Johnson, who caught 4 passes for 32 yards. After winning the Wild Card with a 11-5 record, the Jets beat the Colts in the AFC Wild Card Round thanks to a game winning field goal (Reggie Wayne only had 1 reception for 1 yard against Revis). The next week, Revis and the Jets faced off against the number 1 seeded New England Patriots, a new found rivalry. Revis did not have a spectacular game, but the Jets still managed to upset the Patriots 28-21. So for the second year in a row, the Jets were in the AFC Championship Game, this time against the 2 seeded Steelers. The Steelers dominated the game, especially in the first half, and they managed to win 24-19 over the Jets.
Revis has done extremely well this season; in the first game of the season, he intercepted Tony Romo, and helped the Jets defeat the Cowboys 27-24. Also, while playing Miami in Week 6, he intercepted 2 passes, one of which he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. In the first 8 games, Revis has only allowed 12 receptions. Plus, when quarterbacks throw in the direction of Revis, they have a passer rating of 2.9. In just 10 games, Revis has intercepted 4 passes, 4 more than last year. Revis looks better than ever, and hopefully, he can resurrect his 5-5 Jets.
Revis has the ability to shut down corners thanks to his speed, anticipation and intelligence. After making his impact on the league five years ago, quarterbacks know it is not wise to throw his way. Though he may not lead the league in interceptions, he is amazing at taking his man out of the game. Revis is the best cornerback in the league, and possibly this years Defensive Player of the Year. Many great things are in store for Revis, so make sure to keep an eye on the Pro Bowler while he's shutting down your favorite wide receiver.
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| Darrelle Revis |
In just his first game as a starting cornerback, Revis held Patriots wide reciever Wes Welker to just 6 catches for 61 yards. Immediately, teams knew they had to take Revis seriously. The Jets' rookie sensation had exceptional speed and intellect, leaving offensive coordinators baffled. By the end of his rookie season, Revis only allowed three touchdowns to the receiver whom he was guarding (Lee Evans, Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens). In 2008, Revis' second season in the NFL, he improved quite substantially. In Week 4 of the 2008 season, the Jets faced off against the Arizona Cardinals, and Revis had to cover the great Cardinals wide receiver duo consisting of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Amazingly, Revis intercepted Kurt Warner twice, returning one for a touchdown. Revis did extremely well that year, and many scouts noted he was better at reading plays. By the end of the year, not as many passes came his way; instead, quarterbacks would through towards Jets rookie Dwight Lowery, causing the Jets' pass defense to rank 29th overall. However, Revis still managed to make that season's Pro Bowl.
Revis started off the 2009 season matched up against wide receiver Andre Johnson, one of the best in the league. Amazingly, he limited Johnson to just four receptions for 35 yards, proving to the fans and media once again that he is one of the top defensive players in the NFL. The next week, the Jets played Brady and the Patriots, where Revis had to defend another Pro-Bowler in Randy Moss. For the second consecutive week, Revis shut-down his man, allowing Moss to four receptions and 24 receiving yards. Besides letting up two touchdowns, one to Ted Ginn Jr. and one to Randy Moss, Revis was almost perfect for the rest of the year. In Week 16, the Jets played against the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts. Thanks to Revis' great defensive performance (allowing Reggie Wayne to 3 receptions for 33 yards), the Jets handed Peyton Manning his first loss of the season. Revis finished the season strong against Chad Ochocinco by not allowing him to have a single reception. That win allowed Revis the oppurtunity to play in the playoffs once his Jets won the Wild Card with a 9-7 record. The Jets won their first two games in the playoffs, first against the Bengals, and then the Chargers. In the AFC Championship game though, Revis would have to guard Reggie Wayne once more as the Jets played the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts. For the second time, Revis overpowered Wayne, limiting him to just 3 receptions for 55 total yards (Wayne was the only starting wide receiver on the Colts who did not score a touchdown). However, Revis' great performance was not enough, for the Colts dismembered the Jets 30-17.
The 2010 season did not start very well for Revis, for he missed all of training camp and preseason during a contract holdout (4 years, $32 million). Things only got worse for Revis once the season began. In Week 2, after getting beat by Randy Moss for a touchdown, Revis strained his hamstring and left the game. He missed the next two games due to his injury. After being activated to play in Week 5 against the Vikings, he re-agravated his hamstring, and left the game early. Next week, against the Broncos, he was told he was ready to play, but, once again, Revis aggravated his hamstring and left the game. Luckily, Revis was able to play the last 8 games of the season, and did extremely well against Pro Bowl wide receivers. While playing the Detroit Lions, Revis limited Calvin Johnson to just 1 reception for 13 yards. Then, two weeks later, Revis overpowered wide receiver Andre Johnson, who caught 4 passes for 32 yards. After winning the Wild Card with a 11-5 record, the Jets beat the Colts in the AFC Wild Card Round thanks to a game winning field goal (Reggie Wayne only had 1 reception for 1 yard against Revis). The next week, Revis and the Jets faced off against the number 1 seeded New England Patriots, a new found rivalry. Revis did not have a spectacular game, but the Jets still managed to upset the Patriots 28-21. So for the second year in a row, the Jets were in the AFC Championship Game, this time against the 2 seeded Steelers. The Steelers dominated the game, especially in the first half, and they managed to win 24-19 over the Jets.
Revis has done extremely well this season; in the first game of the season, he intercepted Tony Romo, and helped the Jets defeat the Cowboys 27-24. Also, while playing Miami in Week 6, he intercepted 2 passes, one of which he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. In the first 8 games, Revis has only allowed 12 receptions. Plus, when quarterbacks throw in the direction of Revis, they have a passer rating of 2.9. In just 10 games, Revis has intercepted 4 passes, 4 more than last year. Revis looks better than ever, and hopefully, he can resurrect his 5-5 Jets.
Revis has the ability to shut down corners thanks to his speed, anticipation and intelligence. After making his impact on the league five years ago, quarterbacks know it is not wise to throw his way. Though he may not lead the league in interceptions, he is amazing at taking his man out of the game. Revis is the best cornerback in the league, and possibly this years Defensive Player of the Year. Many great things are in store for Revis, so make sure to keep an eye on the Pro Bowler while he's shutting down your favorite wide receiver.
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