Yes
The 2013 season was rough sailing for Tampa Bay’s favorite pirates. The team jettisoned veteran starting quarterback Josh Freeman, fired its head coach and wound up with a dismal 4-12 record. In a year full of tumult, it was hard to see any kind of silver lining.
When taking a closer look, however, it’s evident that the Bucs’ season wasn’t all for naught. The reason? Defense.
Aside from Lavonte David’s unnecessary roughness gaffe in week two, the Buccaneer defense sparkled at several points throughout last season. Tampa Bay ranked 17th in overall defense (nothing to leap for joy about, but no cause of alarm, either), according to ESPN. This ranking would likely be higher if the Buccaneers had a more proficient and experienced offense. Veteran offenses can more effectively control time of possession, which chews up more minutes on the game clock and gives the defense a chance to rest.
Within the Buc defense itself is a myriad of young stars: the aforementioned David, Mark Barron, Gerald McCoy and last but certainly not least, the $96 million man himself, Darrelle Revis.
Based on the evidence I have just given (that the Buccaneer defensive abilities clearly outweigh those on the offensive ends), you’d probably expect me to vouch for Revis, one of the team’s greatest defensive assets.
Apologies to all the Revis faithful out there, but I personally believe the Bucs can thrive without him. Don’t get me wrong, I think he is arguably the second best corner in the game (I’d call him the best, but Richard Sherman might rip my head off), but he sticks out like a sore thumb on a young team in rebuilding mode.
Cap space is incredibly vital for young teams, especially those looking to benefit from a very potent 2014 draft class. Shedding Revis’ salary would allow the Bucs to use cap space to upgrade their offense and give Mike Glennon someone else beside Vincent Jackson to throw to.
Monetary reasons aside, new Head Coach Lovie Smith is not the type to center his defense around one player, let alone a cornerback. Smith is known for his strong linebacking corps and tenacious lines and may not prioritize a player just because he is worth $96 million.
To be clear, the role of secondary players on a team is incredibly vital. Just ask the Seahawks. What I mean to say is that Lovie Smith would rather have a defense full of solid, hard-working, run-of-the-mill guys who know their roles than one superstar player.
If Revis is with the Bucs come August, I won’t be upset. He’s not a detriment to the team, and he will provide fantastic pass coverage. However, I think the Bucs should at least explore the possibility of cashing Revis in for an abundance of younger, less expensive talent.
NO
As Griff mentioned above, the Buccaneer defense was definitely the team’s strength. Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy were named All Pros, and the secondary was greatly improved from the disastrous 2012 season, due to the improvement of 2012 first round pick Mark Barron and the additions of safety Dashon Goldson, rookie corner Jonathan Banks and some guy from the New York Jets via trade. His name? Darrelle Revis.
Although slowed by the recovery from his torn ACL, Revis still had a superb season, earning yet another Pro Bowl nod. The corner, who is universally thought of as the league’s second best corner behind Sherman, had 50 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed. The reason why his interception and passes defensed totals were so low? Because no opposing quarterback is stupid enough to throw the ball his way.
His ability to neutralize the opponent’s best receiver (see the Lions game from last season where he shut down Calvin Johnson) and force offensive coordinators to plan just for him impacts the Bucs’ defense in a major way.
Coach Lovie Smith recognizes his ability to put the opponent’s top receiver on an island with his man to man cover skills. There is a reason why the man makes $16 million a year. He plays to win the game. Period.
And this year will even be better. Smith will allow Revis to go at full force and stick him to the league’s top receivers week in and week out. It wouldn’t be a bold prediction to say that he earns another All Pro nod next season.
That is the reason why the Bucs should keep. You don’t just get rid of the league’s second best corner when you want to build a team through defense. Revis will stay and excel with Bucs for years to come.
Griffin Guinta can be reached at griffin.guinta@theminaretonline.com. Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com.