The Philadelphia Eagles Need to Avoid Signing Darelle Revis
Even with the youth and inexperience that the Philadelphia Eagles have at the corner position, they need to avoid signing Darrelle Revis.
Stop me if you have heard this story before. The Philadelphia Eagles pay too much money for a free agent corner that doesn’t produce. Said corner takes up a valuable roster spot and even more valuable salary cap space. Corner is then released, and the Eagles are forced to start over.
The sad thing is that this scenario applies to more than one player. The description above could apply to Nnamdi Asomugha or Byron Maxwell. Those were two players that Eagles fans would love to forget about. The Eagles have youth at the position and lack experience in several areas, but would Darrelle Revis really help the team in 2017?
What He Brings to the Table
There is no denying that Revis has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL throughout his career. “Revis Island” was a place that no receiver wanted to visit and no quarterback wanted to throw to. In 2010, Revis was named a First-Team All-Pro after recording a whopping nine pass deflections and wait for it…zero interceptions.
To top it all off, he didn’t even play in a full season (13 games). Revis was given this honor because he would completely shut receivers down. There was never an opportunity for quarterbacks to get the ball to them. Even if there was, Revis would be right there to swat it away or make it incredibly difficult for the receiver to make a catch.
Philadelphia Eagles
The positives:
Obviously, Revis is not playing at the same level as he did in 2010. He could, however, bring the secondary room a ton of experience and knowledge. Having Revis would be like having another coach in the room and on the field. His production and reputation precede him and he would command respect from the young corners. Being able to pick his brain would give young players like Jalen Mills, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas a serious edge.
The Downside
Yes, Revis could bring a lot to the Eagles, but the negatives outweigh the positives. The first negative is the salary cap hit he represents. It’s highly unlikely that Revis would accept the veteran minimum to play for the Eagles. That means the team would have to shell out more money for a player that was average at best last year.
The Eagles are still strapped for cash even after the trade of Allen Barbre and release of Marcus Smith. On another note, Revis would be occupying a roster spot that could go to one of the talented rookies that are currently in camp. The odds that a rookie free agent makes the team are highly unlikely, but fans would never know if there is no room for them.
Finally, and probably most importantly, Revis would be taking playing time away from the young players that need experience. Even if he wasn’t an everyday starter, every rep he takes is a rep that a young guy doesn’t get. Quality reps are crucial for a rookie or second year player’s development. If they can’t get those during camp or in games, then they will really be behind the eight ball.
Final Thoughts
Having Revis four years ago would have been great. At this point though, the main thing a Revis signing would do is take away opportunities for younger players. Although his knowledge would be great, the opportunity for the young guys to compete is even greater.