Darrelle Revis is ready to bring back the island. After missing almost the entire 2012 season with a torn ACL the newly signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback is ready to return to form. Revis has been working overtime in his rehab sessions to be ready when the season begins and recently told Peter King of The MMQB.com that he will be ready Week 1 of the upcoming season.
"I'm very confident. Very," Revis said. "My mindset is, when they tell me I could cut, I figured it meant I could cut hard on it. I did, and it didn't hurt and the knee didn't swell. And I've been out there putting pressure on it and it hasn't hurt. So I feel when I get out there, I'll be confident I can do everything I need to."
Revis' knee has responded very well to the rehab and the cornerback has regained most of his quick-twitch movements. Since training camp opened, Revis has been able to participate in all 11-on-11 drills, going up against top receiver Vincent Jackson most rounds. The cornerback has not participated in 7-on-7 drills, but that is the next step.
Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano has not made up his mind if Revis will be participating in any preseason games prior to Week 1. They are limiting his reps on the field in order to avoid any unplanned setbacks in Revis' recovery.
"Coach and I have talked about it," Revis said, "and he's open to it. It'll be predicated on the game plan. But I think you'll see it a lot. I might have to dust the cobwebs off, but it's the way I play best. I've said, 'Coach, this is the way I play best,' and I think he agrees."
Schiano does not find playing in the preseason to be a total necessity for Revis, but will make the decision based on how the cornerback feels throughout camp. One thing the head coach is loving, is the veteran leadership on display with players like Revis.
The Buccaneers have a fair mix of veteran talent along with youth on the roster. After acquiring players like Revis and safety Dashon Goldson in the offseason, they got an unexpected boost in the leadership department. Schiano is praising both players for leading by example and becoming vocal in the young secondary.
"They bring work ethic,'' Schiano said. "Both of them are very strong, hard workers. They don't take the shortcut; they do it the hard way. That's a great example for our guys. And they've won, they've done it at the highest level. They've been recognized by their peers, so when you have guys that have those accolades and yet work and are passionate about it, that's the best kind of leaders.''
