Revis on the Move

"Revis Island" is on the move. After an off-season of turmoil, the New York Jets have finally decided to part ways with the talented, yet disgruntled, corner. Revis is off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and in return the Jets will receive Tampa's first round pick in this Thursday's draft (number 13 overall) and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2014 draft that could potentially become a third round selection if Revis is still on the roster on the third day of the new football year next season. This is a trade that had to be done, and one of the rare trades that actually seems to benefit everyone involved, though it seems to benefit Revis and the Bucs much more than it does the Jets.

The Bucs receive a player in Revis who, if healthy, is arguably the best defensive player in the league. When healthy, there really is no debate that he is the best corner in the NFL. Revis is a shutdown corner who gives QB's and WR's nightmares. He has the talent to completely negate the oppositions best player, and that is a talent that was severely lacking in Tampa last season. Without a quality defensive back, the Tampa defense allowed nearly 300 passing yards per game last season. That number is sure to drop now that they have brought in a corner who all but takes away one entire side of the field. Not only does Tampa bring in a guy who fills a position of huge need for them, but they do so at almost no risk whatsoever. The Bucs have signed Revis to a 6year/$96 million contract with absolutely no money guaranteed. This means that, if Revis is unable to recover from his knee injury and isn't the player that he used to be, Tampa can part ways with him without any salary cap penalties. At first glance, it looks like a remarkable move for Tampa.

It's also a wonderful move for Revis himself. While the decision to sign a contract that has no guaranteed money is a risk for Revis, let's not ignore the fact that he will be making $16 million dollars per year for every year that he is on the roster. As long as he is healthy and productive, this deal makes him the highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL. Aside from the sheer numbers of the deal, Revis also gets the opportunity to leave a team that he felt never gave him the respect that he deserved. Revis had numerous contract disputes with the Jets in his limited amount of time there, and I can only imagine is happy to finally have the long-term contract that he has been seeking for several years now. He deserved the money, and he's finally found a team who was willing to acknowledge that.

As for the Jets, they seem to have gained the least from this trade. They already possess arguably the least talented roster in the NFL, and trading away a guy who was head and shoulders above the other 52 guys makes the roster that much worse. They do get rid of a guy who had caused them all kinds of headaches over the last few years, and they have acquired another first round pick giving them two picks within the first fifteen. However, to only receive one first round pick and one conditional fourth rounder for the best defensive player in the game is a joke. It speaks to how inept the front office is within the Jets organization and if things continue on the path that they are on, the Jets will continue to be a laughingstock franchise for years to come.

We'll see what the draft has in store for the Jets, but as it stands right now, the Jets have done a lot to solidify their position as the least talented team in the NFL. As a Miami fan, I'm thrilled beyond belief at this and to see Revis leaving my division.