The Jets will be paying a $100,000 fine as a result of owner Woody Johnson’s premature comments about wanting to have cornerback Darrelle Revis back with the team.
That amount of money is not a tremendous burden for an NFL team and writing the check will certainly be easier since the team was able to re-sign Revis after the Patriots opted to pass on their option for his 2015 services. And it will prove to be an even less significant payout if Revis is correct in the self-assessment that finds him to be a better player now than he was when he was spearheading the Jets defense during his first stint in Jersey, in part because Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a hand in honing Revis’s ability.
“You know what? I think I’m better than I was before, when I played earlier in my career,” Revis said, via NJ.com. “I think I’m more way more intelligent in the position. I had a great learning experience last year with Bill. He helped me in a lot of ways. I’ve seen the game a different way. But at the same time I think just the growth, of me growing as a player, and growing as a man has helped me tremendously. Now I’m a different type of player -- a better player -- than I was when I was younger.”
The Jets would likely be happy with the previous version of Revis, but a more cerebral approach fits with the realities that come with age for NFL players. There are inevitable physical changes, but they can sometimes be mitigated by an increased understanding of positioning, tendencies and other mental aspects of the game. Revis appears to realize that and he’ll need to make that transition to perform at a high level through his five-year deal with the Jets.