It’s easy to come down on a young player who holds out because he’s not making enough money. Sometimes, it’s true that those players aren’t getting paid what they deserve, and sometimes, the only way they can get the respect (read: paycheck) they deserve is by refusing to show up until they get what they want. Whether or not it’s the most effective way to conduct business is a discussion for another day.
However, in a world where respect is defined by a financial figure, nobody can blame Revis if he does decide to stand his ground and hold out.
According to the New York Daily News, there are seven — seven — defensive backs on the Jets alone who will be making more money than Revis in the 2010 season.
Looks like HBO picked the right team for this season of Hard Knocks. If Revis doesn’t get paid soon, there’s going to be plenty of drama to go around.
At the moment, Revis is scheduled to earn $1.092 million in the 2010 season. This is a two-time Pro Bowler we’re talking about. A 25-year-old cornerback entrusted with the responsibility of shutting down the top wide receivers in the NFL every Sunday and has never met a challenge he couldn’t handle. He was the most important element of one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2009, and yet there are seven guys in the Jets’ defensive backfield who are making more money than he is.
Antonio Cromartie will earn $1.7 million in 2010. Jim Leonhard will earn $1.625 million. UMass product James Ihedigbo — who started zero games in 2009 and registered just two sacks — will earn $1.101 million.
Now, Revis’ frustration seems to make a lot more sense. Now, his dissatisfaction with his contract doesn’t seem outlandish at all. It seems warranted.
And still, despite it all, Revis may not even hold out of camp. He still maintains that he wants to remain a Jet, and he hopes the Jets want him, too — even though he, one of the best defensive players in the game, is being paid less than a guy who has yet to start an NFL game.
“From the business side, they make the choices,” Revis said during a chat on the Players’ Association website this week. “They know my heart is with the Jets and Jersey and New York City. I’m here as long as I can be. If they give me the ability to have a choice, I’ll stay here as a Jet.”
Does Revis deserve to be paid like the league’s top defensive back? Absolutely. Does he at least deserve to be paid like his team’s best defensive back? The fact that that is even a question is insulting enough to warrant this particular holdout.
