There is no disputing that there are changes happening around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but a recent report that the team is discussing the idea of getting rid of Darrelle Revis is beyond insane for a number of reasons. In a division with three other teams that can throw the ball around, Revis shouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.
Revis is scheduled to make $16 million this coming season. That would get the team three or four more players that could make the difference but there is still the fact of teams like the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons who want to exploit the team’s pass defense. If Revis is back there taking half of the field away, it may allow Tampa to have a chance to improve on their 4-12 record from 2013. Tampa has a new coach in Lovie Smith who prides himself on defense. The Bucs were 17th in passing yards allowed last season. Does anyone really believe that they will improve on those stats if they got rid of Revis before next season?
That’s why there is really no reason why Revis is going to be let go by the team anytime soon. He does cost a lot of money but is arguably the best player that the Buccaneers have right now. They will get back a healthy Doug Martin, which should get the Bucs more of a consistent rushing game in 2014. If there is any reason for the Bucs to get rid of Revis, it would be so they can draft another quarterback after being dead last in passing yards per game last season. That is unlikely to happen however especially with a quarterback going into his first full season.
Tampa Bay lost their first eight games last season. Mike Glennon will be back under center and Vincent Jackson is still there. If the team can keep Revis and keep him happy with a better offense, maybe Tampa moves up in the division during the 2014 season. It may not be enough to make the playoffs but it can be better than the season they just finished. These reports really need to go away sooner than later about Revis but it is a business in the end.
One thing I don’t hear many people talking about is Justin Gilbert to the Bucs. That would be a scary secondary with Revis, Gilbert, and Mark Barron. As a Saints fan though I’d rather that not happen.