Darrelle Revis has earned the reputation as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. After creating "Revis Island" during his time with the New York Jets, Revis is often referred to as the standard for defensive players in the league. As result, many players are trying to knock him off the top and declare themselves the best. Richard Sherman is one of those and Revis is telling the Seattle Seahawks that he needs to earn respect.
In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, Revis addressed the Twitter feud between the two cornerbacks after Sherman declared himself the best cornerback in the NFL. Revis is not interested in that kind of talk and his message to Sharman is to simply get off Revis Island.
"He needs to quit attaching his career to my career," Revis said. "A lot of people need to have respect for this game. I'm not just talking about him. Respect what people have done to pave the way. Deion paved the way. Rod Woodson paved the way. Darrell Green. Mel Blount. Champ Bailey. Charles Woodson. Yeah, we're the next group, but you don't need to be getting into it with me."
Revis notes that the cornerback position is a fraternity. Every player at the position stands together, but at the end of the day they are all competing. But, no one has to shoot anyone else's talent down. Revis does not know Sherman personally, but he wants the cornerback to know that players cannot crown themselves, they must earn it.
The Tampa Bay cornerback is working to get medically cleared in hopes of starting for the Buccaneers on Week 1 of the upcoming season. He is still recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season very early in 2012. Buccaneers fans are hoping that Revis is able to come back as the same player and continue Revis Island on another team.
The cornerback said that he does not feel any pressure to prove that he is just as great of a player after the injury as he was before.
"I don't have to prove nothing to nobody," Revis said. "I put my game on film, and people can see the results."
As of now, Revis is on track to start against the Jets for the season opener. New York will quickly find out if Revis is still the same player. It is a good thing the cornerback feels he has nothing to prove because the Jets do not need Revis to have any added motivation against them.
