Revis Shrugs Off Trash Talk From Jason Hill
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Darrelle Revis has made a career of shutting down wide receivers on the field, and shutting them up off it.
The New York Jets All-Pro cornerback has done it to the best of 'em: Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Calvin Johnson. Week after week, game after game. So, when Revis was told that Jacksonville's Jason Hill recently suggested that he and the rest of the Jets might be "overhyped" because of the large media market they play in, he was confused.
"I don't even know who that dude is," a puzzled Revis said Friday. "What's his name again?"
Jason Hill, one of the Jaguars' starters who had four of his 55 career catches in six seasons last week.
"I have no clue," Revis said. "I don't know who he is. Whatever he said is what he said. That's his opinion of us and we'll find out on Sunday."
Then again, maybe not. Hill is listed as doubtful on the Jaguars' injury report for Sunday's game because of an ailing hip.
"Well, he shouldn't have been talking in the first place," Revis said, "because he can't back it up now."
Hill was a third-round pick of San Francisco in 2007, the same year Revis was selected by New York 14th overall. He told the Florida Times-Union that he and Revis have been playing in the NFL for the same amount of time and the league is "full of good players making plays" and "he just made a lot more plays on TV than we've made being here in Jacksonville."
"I think sometimes they get overhyped," Hill told the newspaper of Revis and the Jets' secondary. "I talked to Drew (Coleman), Drew played there. He says it's just the aura of New York. They got a big media."
Hill called Revis "a good player" and said the Jaguars respect him. It's just that the Jets — like most New York teams — draw more attention because of where they play.
"I think the whole New York is overhyped," Hill said. "Him personally, he's a good player, Pro Bowl player. I'm trying to make it to the Pro Bowl, too. This'll be a good game to put some notches on our belts, too."
Jets coach Rex Ryan was amused when told of Hill's comments.
"He said he's overrated? Well, the good news is we get to find out," Ryan said. "So, he's coming in here and that'll be fun. I can tell Jason Hill this, and anybody else: 'There's a lot of good receivers in this league. THE best corner in football, and it's not close, is Darrelle Revis.' So we'll see how he feels after the game."
If Hill even plays, of course. But chances are, he'd feel a lot like plenty of other receivers have after games: frustrated. Dallas' Tony Romo completed a 26-yard pass to Dez Bryant, who made an acrobatic grab over Revis midway through in the opener last Sunday. It was the last catch Bryant had.
"It's funny," safety Jim Leonhard said. "Have you ever heard of a guy who has played against him and said anything like that? Yeah, I don't think so. Darrelle has come out of some games with the same number of catches and yards as some receivers he's covered."
Revis acknowledged Hill's point about New York being a larger media market than Jacksonville, but added he shouldn't be criticized for that.
"When you're in a big market, this is what happens," Revis said. "You're in the newspaper every day. I mean, we're one of the best teams in the league. You get all the TV time you get. Speaking of Jacksonville, that's just a totally different story. It's a different market and those guys don't get showcased as much. ... The Jason Hill guy, I don't even know who the guy his, so whatever he says, he's trying to get into the paper, I guess."
Even if Hill plays Sunday, Revis would more likely be covering Mike Thomas, the Jaguars' top receiver. Still, Revis wouldn't mind getting a chance at defending Hill on the field.
"I wish he was playing," he said. "I hope he still plays, so we can see Sunday. That's my biggest concern. He needs to get on the field and play so he can back it up."
Notes: Because of "enhanced" security measures implemented by the NFL for all teams, the Jets urge fans to arrive for Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium a half-hour earlier than they normally do. The game starts at 1 p.m. ... After being inactive for the opener, DT Kenrick Ellis, the team's third-round pick, will be a gameday decision, Ryan said.
