After assembling a season stat card that reflected his being one of the best corner backs in football, Aqib Talib was lured away from New England by the promise and eventual signing of a 6 year, 57 million dollar deal with Denver. That loss however worthy of the pay Talib was, left the Patriots sans their strongest defensive talent last season and put them in a place where, as rumors of a Wilfork departure continue to run rampant, they might not want to be going into next season.
New England recognized this and in a move that went against much of the talk that has circulated this offseason, signed former Jet and Buccaneer pro bowler, Darrelle Revis to a 1 year 12 million dollar contract that makes him the highest paid defensive player on the team next year.
Revis has logged 8 years of NFL experience with the Jets and Buccaneers respectively. He made 43 tackles and defended 11 passes in 16 games last season in Tampa.
It is that last stat that might be what actually makes Revis better than the man he is replacing. Though Talib made more interceptions, defended passes and tackles last season than Revis did, Revis played 16 games, a truth that cannot be stressed how valuable it is. The way New England plays defense, the presence of a shutdown corner to go against the opponent's best receiver on every play is something they rely on greatly. While Talib was that shutdown corner, he was not there every week missing 3 games in the middle of the year this season and getting knocked out of both AFC Championships he was in New England for. Revis however has played 16 games in 6 out of his 8 seasons in the league. He has not once raised any sort of question regarding durability.
All and all, former Patriot Ty Law agrees with the premise that Revis is an upgrade from Talib
"The Patriots were only a few pieces away from being a Super Bowl team again -- now that you have Darrelle, hey, why not?," Law told USA TODAY "Darrelle is an upgrade. No disrespect to Aqib, who is a great corner in his own right. But outside of Denver in the AFC, who else do you see besides the Patriots?
"That is what was so appealing for Darrelle."
"That is what was so appealing for Darrelle."
After being the face of the New York Jets defense for 6 years to start his career, Darrelle Revis will come to New England looking to vault the team to one final Super Bowl in the Tom Brady era. In this case, it is safe to say that the Patriots will likely get their 12 million dollars’ worth for this deal.
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