NFL Free Agency: Signing Darrelle Revis Should Be How The Patriots Replace Aqib Talib

Nov 17, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback

(24) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday was a mellow day for Patriots fans, up until about midnight. That was when it was reported that the Denver Broncos had signed cornerback Aqib Talib to a six year deal, worth $57 million. Losing Talib definitely hurts, but at that price, I am fine with him leaving.

But now New England is faced with the difficult task of replacing Talib, something that we all hoped they would not have to do. The most popular option seems to be going after Darrelle Revis, who is one of, if not the best cover corner in the game today.

You can count me in as one of those hoping Belichick gets Revis, because adding him to the Pats secondary doesn’t only get it back to where it was when Talib was here, but it makes it better. Tampa Bay is hoping to trade Revis before 4 p.m, but if they can’t ship him away, he will be released. No matter what Tampa does, Revis is going to cost a lot of money.

With the Broncos adding talent by the minute, New England needs to do something to keep pace with their AFC rival. Stopping Peyton Manning will be what stands between Tom Brady and another Super Bowl this January, and signing someone that can stymie Peyton’s receivers is the way you go about doing that. If Belichick and company have to splurge a little bit to sign Revis, then so be it. His talent is worth $15 million, and his ability to simply take away your top receiver will instantly propel the Pats defense to new heights.

Another option that has been floated out there, is trading for Revis. It depends on what the Bucs will be willing to take, but I think it would be worth handing over a few draft picks to add Revis to their defense. Tom Brady isn’t getting any younger, and a Talib-less defense won’t get him back to the Super Bowl anytime soon. Remember what happened this past January when Talib went down? Manning had a field day with New England’s secondary, making it seem like he was playing against a defense full of second graders. But if the Patriots can get Revis, it doesn’t matter what happens with the rest of their defense, they will have the talent to compete with Denver for the AFC crown.

When you put Revis on one side, a combination of Dennard and Ryan on the other, and Arrington handling the slot, you have one hell of a cornerback combination. Add Devin McCourty over the top, and you may have a top five NFL secondary. That is definitely worth a contract of $16 million, and today is the day for New England to pounce.