Darrelle Revis ‘Happy, But In A Weird Way’

When it was announced that cornerback Darrelle Revis would be playing for the Patriots this season, we all just burst with excitement. It has been a long time since there was a defender this talented donning that flying elvis on their helmet, and the expectations for this team immediately skyrocketed.

His presence on the field makes this defense one to be reckoned with, and the preparations for getting that defense ready have already begun. Revis spent a few minutes talking with the media after practice, making a few interesting comments about his new home:

(Quotes courtesy of Mike Reiss over at ESPN Boston)

On being a Patriot:

"“It’s been awesome, but it’s been kind of weird in a way,” he said Friday. “But I’m a Patriot now and that’s how things go — you have to roll with it, [fans] accepted me, and I’m happy to be here and play ball.”“We all know that,” he said with a laugh. “I was on the other side, with another team, a rival, [but] I’m here now and I’m just so excited. I’ve been in the best shape in my career.”"

On the New York-Boston rivalry:

"“That’s rivalries,” Revis said when asked about bitterness between the Patriots and Jets. “There are college rivalries, high school rivalries, and there are rivalries in the pros as well. I was on that side, and you’re not supposed to like your rival no matter where you play. Like I said, I’m here now, all that’s in the past, and all I can focus on is what I can do now. Right now I’m a Patriot and I’m excited to be here. It’s great. I’m excited about camp, the whole team is, and we’re looking forward [to the season].”"

On his health:

"“I finished all 16 games last year but I still wasn’t where I wanted to be physically as a player,” he said. “This is my first offseason where I could really focus on working out. They say it takes a year and a half, or two [to get back to full strength]. I think I’m at a point now, I’m there.“I’m back to where I can move around a little better. Last year was really tough coming off the injury, I wasn’t where I needed to be. Now I’m a little bit more excited, I feel the butterflies a little bit more, and I’m just ready to play and get ready for the season.”"

If he needs to prove he is the best corner once again:

"“I don’t need to prove nothing to anybody. Ws is what matters — more wins than losses. That’s what we want to do as a team,” he said. “Everybody is great. Everybody performs well at the professional level. Those are for you guys to rate who’s this and that. It really doesn’t matter to me.”"

His comments on not needing to prove anything really spoke volumes to me. Revis has always been a guy worried about ensuring his status as the best in the league, but now, it is gone. Now he is more worried about racking up the wins, rather than racking up the stats. That is the true ‘Patriot Way’, and that is what ultimately leads to championships.

If New England wants to bring a fourth Lombardi trophy to Foxboro, they will need Revis to have this mindset all year long. Put the team ahead of the individual. That is why the Pats are always at the top of the NFL, and why they have won three Super Bowls in the last 13 years.

Of course, it helps when you have Revis saying he is in the best shape of his life. That is always good.