Next to the Quarterback debate, I think the Cornerback debates are just as popular and generate just as much conversation. Deion Sanders is by far the greatest to play the position. He set the standard for those after him, and his impact is still felt around the league to this very day. Not many have been able to compare to Prime. However, there was a guy that was the closest thing to Deion. I’m talking about Darrelle Revis. He was the talk of the league for a few years. I remember when he announced his retirement and asked if he would be Canton bound in five years. Now, we can add first ballot Hall of Famer to his resume.
Darrelle is one of the five best Cornerbacks I’ve seen play this game. From 2009 to 2011, he was at the top of his game and was the gold standard playing the position. Each week, everyone tuned in and watched the New York Jets just to see what Darrelle would do. I look back at all the ground he would cover. Also, each week, he wanted the opposing team’s number one receiver. He was able to play inside, outside and he covered everyone without any Safety help over the top. Wherever Darrelle was lined up, that area of the field was known as “Revis Island”. Being labeled a shutdown corner doesn’t mean forcing interceptions or always creating turnovers. It’s more so shutting down an entire side of the field and they don’t even elect to throw in your vicinity which nobody did more consistently than Darrelle. Let’s talk about that 2009 season! This is when he showed the world, he was indeed the best Cornerback in the NFL. This man lined up against Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Steve Smith Sr and Reggie Wayne. Each of those receivers I listed were all number one options on their teams depth charts. They were also receivers who indeed took a trip to Revis Island that year! I watched Darrelle shut them all down. My most memorable moment of his career was seeing him shut down Calvin Johnson. Megatron was a nightmare to defend, but even he took a trip to Revis Island as well. After tearing his ACL in 2012, he appeared to lose a step in his game. The Jets traded him to the Buccaneers, and he was nowhere close to the guy he was in East Rutherford. What ended up saving his career was going to Foxborough and playing for the Patriots. It was there that we saw the dominant corner from 2009-2011. Darrelle was a key contributor in the Patriots winning their fourth Super Bowl. Just imagine if he transitioned over to Safety as Charles Woodson did. I feel there’d be some added years onto his career.
Remember when Rex Ryan took the job to be the Jets next Head Coach? He raved about Darrelle and claimed how good he would be. That’s the only prediction he got right. I also remember that same season the Jets gave up only eight passing touchdowns all year long and 24 was a primary reason in doing so. Darrelle becomes the seventh Cornerback to become a first ballot Hall of Famer and he’s one of five Cornerbacks with four first-team All-Pro. I couldn’t be happier for him. Congratulations to one of the best I’ve seen play.
