Gov. Paterson Visits Jets Camp
(AP) The governor is ready to step in for Darrelle Revis.
New York Gov. David Paterson, a longtime Jets fan, stopped by the team's training camp practice Friday and considered a career change after seeing 5-foot-6 wide receiver Larry Taylor.
"I thought, 'Well, if he can be out here, maybe I could come out and try out for cornerback,'" the slightly built Paterson said with a smile. "I heard they might be looking for one right now."
Paterson, of course, was referring to holdout cornerback Revis, who has missed 13 days since the team reported for training camp at SUNY Cortland. He's scheduled to make $1 million in the fourth year of his six-year rookie deal, but wants to become the league's highest-paid cornerback.
"It's obviously a difficult situation because the Jets have a contract and contracts are made to be adhered to," Paterson said. "At the same time, players in football don't have guaranteed contracts, so they've got to try to get their money as up front as they possibly can, so you can really see both sides of it."
When asked if he could help sort things out, Paterson smiled.
"Well, if they ask me," Paterson said, "I'm sure I can try something."
Paterson decided earlier this year not to seek a full term, and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has since become the Democratic nominee for New York governor.
"I think he'll win the election," Paterson said, "and you'll be in good hands, as they say, with Gov. Cuomo."
Paterson arrived at SUNY Cortland in a black SUV and stood on the sideline during the Jets' special teams practice with school president Erik Bitterbaum. He then spoke to the players and broke the team huddle to end the afternoon session. Raised on Long Island, Paterson said he has been a fan of the team since the franchise was known as the Titans in the early 1960s.
"Then, a number of pains, heartaches and stunted growth from games the Jets had won that they lost, I tried to clear up with them this year," Paterson said. "I've had a lot of other issues this year, and I don't need any more pain from the Jets losing at the end of the game."
Paterson thinks the Jets will be a playoff team and will win at least 10 or 11 games. And he'll be watching Monday night when the Jets take on the Giants in the teams' preseason opener.
"I have a lot of friends who are Giants fans," Paterson said. "Maybe we'll be friends on Tuesday. As long as the Jets win, we will be."
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