Darrelle Revis dances around holdout

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New York Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who skipped training camp two years ago during a bitter contract dispute, hinted Monday night he may stage another holdout if he doesn't get a new deal.

"I just don't know," he told a group of reporters at a charity event in Manhattan. "I'm not saying I am going to hold out; I'm not saying I'm not going to hold out. Right now my focus is just being on the team. ... I'm getting ready for the 2012-13 season. That's all I can do."

Revis is due to make $13.5 million in salary and bonuses over the final two years of his contract, including $7.5 million this season. He made $32.5 million in the last two years after re-negotiating his deal a few days before the 2010 regular-season opener.

The agreement came after an ugly, 35-day holdout. At the time, Revis had three years remaining on his rookie contract. The Jets agreed to re-work the deal, but the two sides couldn't find common ground on a long-term extension, eventually settling for what they both described as a Band-Aid contract that would last until the sides could find a long-term solution.

It was a one-year extension as part of a new, four-year, $46 million contract. It included two significant clauses: The Jets can't exercise the franchise tag after the 2013 season. As a holdout deterrent, the contract extends by three years (through 2016) if Revis skips training camp.

“

I just don't know. I'm not saying I am going to hold out; I'm not saying I'm not going to hold out. Right now my focus is just being on the team.

” -- Jets CB Darrelle Revis
on potentially holding out for new contract

The potential contract issue may hinge on Revis' belief that he was promised a long-term deal two years ago.

"I know things have come out, and that's that," said Revis, who was honored Monday night by the Big Brother Big Sisters of New York. "But if anything does happen in the future of me being here or whatever, I have two years left. So if it's for my future to be here, then it is. If it's not, for me to be somewhere else, then it is. We'll address that when the time comes."

The Jets haven't commented on Revis' contract. General manager Mike Tannenbaum didn't want to talk about it on April 19 at the team's pre-draft news conference, saying only that Revis is under contract.

"Darrelle is obviously a really important part of our team," Tannenbaum said. "We're really looking forward to the 2012 season and, hopefully, accomplishing a lot of great things together."

Asked whether he'd be receptive to re-working the deal, Tannenbaum bristled, "I've said all I'm going to say about his contract."

The Jets have paid a total of $47.5 million over five years to Revis, exceeding his rookie contract by $11.5 million.

The league's financial landscape has changed this offseason, with two huge, non-quarterback deals. Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed an eight-year, $132 million deal with $60 million guaranteed and the Buffalo Bills inked defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million deal with $50 million guaranteed.

Coach Rex Ryan has called Revis and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders the two greatest cornerbacks in NFL history.

The last thing the Jets need is another distraction in training camp. They already will have the Tim Tebow circus, a potential quarterback controversy and possible residual effects of a fractured locker room from last season.

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Rich Cimini

ESPNNewYork.com

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Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse graduate, covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
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