The Jets Are Cutting Darrelle Revis, the Greatest Nickname of His Generation?

Share This Post

revis-island

In the latest edition of “the NFL is still a cut-throat business,” cornerback Darrelle Revis has finally reached the point in his career when he gets chewed up and spit out. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, the New York Jets are parting ways with the 10-year NFL veteran:

Two years after bringing home Darrelle Revis with the richest contract in franchise history, the New York Jets have informed their former Pro Bowl cornerback that they will release him on March 9, the start of the league calendar.

The announcement, made Tuesday night by the team, came as no surprise and culminated months of speculation. Revis, 31, suffered a sharp decline in skill and was scheduled to count $15.3 million against the 2017 salary cap.

Oh yeah, and he also got wrapped up in a street brawl in Pittsburgh. But, that reportedly had NOTHING to do with his release. I actually believe the Jets on this one. This is the NFL – high level money and power. Players beat their wives, do drugs, all sorts of stuff, and still get contracts….as long as they can play. But, the moment the baggage surpasses the ability…swoop! HE GONE.

He made his seventh Pro Bowl in 2015, but Revis wasn’t the same player last season. He admittedly reported to training camp out of shape, and he was embarrassed on several occasions in coverage.

How you can be a professional athlete and still show up to your job out of shape is beyond me. It’s also baffling how badly Revis was getting beat regularly on the field last year, too. This was a quick and lengthy fall, and when you hit this point in your NFL career, it is over. Roll the credits.

Now, someone will make him an offer. He’ll have an opportunity to play in 2017, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he retires, rides off into the sunset, and shows back up in a few years for his Hall of Fame induction.

Though, it’s all kind of sad, really – this guy who was the absolute best at his position for the better part of a decade, is just suddenly broken. Not the same football player at all.

Revis was a guy who, in his prime, could make wide receivers disappear. So much so that quarterbacks didn’t even throw in his direction. It was just a given that whoever lined up opposite of Revis was going to be a non-factor. He never had incredible stats because quarterbacks respected his ability so much that they didn’t throw the ball anywhere near him. Insanity.

That’s how he earned the nickname “Revis Island.” Because if you were matched up with him, you were just going to disappear. You were all alone.

It begs the question, though – there’s no doubt that Revis is the greatest cornerback of his generation, but is Revis Island the greatest nickname of his generation? Don’t worry, readers – I’ve pulled some of my own.

The Amish Rifle – Of course, Ryan Fitzpatrick is far from the same level of player as Revis, but the nickname game is pretty strong. “Fitzmagic” is a good one, too, but The Amish Rifle gets the nod among Ryan Fitzpatrick nicknames.

The Inconvenient Truth – Remember Al Gore’s movie about global warming? Well, someone took that title and gave it to star running back Frank Gore. It fits the best qualities of a good nickname – unique, clever, and funny.

The Law Firm – BenJarvus Green-Ellis really is a mouthful to say, but simply going with “The Law Firm” because his name sounds like the name of a law firm is an appropriate application of a nickname.

Muscle Hamster – Definitely the weirdest on the list, it’d probably be higher if Doug Martin didn’t once say that he actually hated this nickname. I kinda dig it, though.

Legatron – Greg Zuerlein could kick the hell out of a football for a solid minute in the NFL. This is obviously a play on Megatron, and would probably be higher on the list if Zuerlein continued to play at an elite level.

Matty Ice – Okay, now we’re in elite nickname territory. The remaining list is the real cream of the crop, and I’ll listen to arguments for each of these to be the best. Matt Ryan is a stone cold killer. And, there’s the whole Natty Ice beer reference. A real win-win.

Legion of Boom – Brand recognition is key, and this group has branded itself well for years now. What started as the Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Byron Maxwell, has evolved to include a number of members for the Seattle Seahawks secondary.

Honey Badger – Tough and versatile, all the words used to describe the honey badger can be used to describe Tyrann Mathieu. Fun fact: I actually couldn’t remember his real name for the better part of two years. I just knew him as “Honey Badger.” That’s building a solid brand, folks.

Beast Mode – I’ll never forget Marshawn Lynch’s playoff run in Seattle against the New Orleans Saints. That’s when Beast Mode was born to me, but it remains in the NFL lexicon today.

Megatron – I miss Calvin Johnson. I really do. He was the best wide receiver in the NFL for several seasons. I don’t know if he’ll get the call to Canton or not, but his nickname is definitely one of the G.O.A.T. monikers.

(Also, shout out to “Minitron” Julian Edelman)

Ocho Cinco – The end of Chad Johnson’s career intertwined with the beginning of Revis’ career, so I’m counting him in this discussion, but really – he could be classified as a generation before all of the others listed. Still, when you think NFL nicknames, Ocho Cinco is one of the first to come to mind – especially given, y’know, Johnson actually legally changed his last name to Ochocinco at one point.

What do you guys think? Hit me with your personal favorites in the comments or Facebook/Twitter.

Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@PFSpot@WrestlingNewsCo@Bama_Hammer

Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore