[S-Dubb]

Jets' Revis looks like a keeper

BY TOM ROCK


May 14, 2007

In the world of a rookie minicamp, Darrelle Revis is at the top of the food chain. He's the first-round draft pick, the guy the Jets wanted, the guy they traded two picks in order to move up and grab.

But that's nothing new. The cornerback has been aware of his abilities for years since attending longtime football factory Aliquippa (Pa.) High. It wasn't until he and former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt arrived at Pitt that he started to recognize just how far those abilities could take him.

"When coach Wannstedt came in, I mean, he knows talent," Revis said. "He coached Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith and all them guys. I think he knows if you can go to the next level or not."

So what was the Wannstedt verdict on Revis? "He said I have the potential," Revis said. The Jets took that one step further.

On the field this weekend, it was hard to tell if Revis stands out because he was the first-round pick or if he was the first-round pick because he stands out. Working at both cornerback positions - coach Eric Mangini said he'll work some at safety but primarily will be a cornerback for the Jets - he appeared smooth and confident. Even in drills, in which many of his campmates came across as overwhelmed and out of sorts, Revis appeared to be the tone-setter. That shouldn't be much of a change for him. As early as his sophomore season at Pitt, coaches there say, Revis initiated drills and led by example.

Mangini has noticed Revis as well, and not only on defense.

"Some of the edge speed that he showed in the kickoff return drill that we did [Saturday] and even the tackling drills, some of those plays that he's made, you can see the change of direction and then the burst," Mangini said. "The other thing that you notice is, he's got a very physical way about him in terms of how he places his hands on people, which is always positive."

Mangini also noted Revis' approach to the mental aspects of the minicamp and praised the cornerback for asking questions. By the time the 2007 season begins, the Jets hope Revis will be more of an answer man.

Notes & quotes: Mangini gave a Mother's Day shout-out to his mom, adding how proud he is that she will graduate from Tunxis Community College in Farmington, Conn., this month ... Free-agent FB Jesse Allen spoke about his experiences at Virginia Tech during the shootings last month - he was about a mile from campus at the time and didn't know anyone who was killed - and said he was disappointed to miss his graduation in Blacksburg Saturday. He said it's too early to assess how the experience will change him. "I imagine it will catch up with me," Allen said. "There is a lot going on in my life right now. I am just trying to grasp it all." ... S Leonard Peters (Hawaii) might have an advantage at the rookie talent show during training camp. Peters, of Samoan descent, is an accomplished fire-knife dancer. The free agent said he is just hoping to stick around long enough to get to the talent portion of the contest ... The Jets brought four more tryouts to the minicamp yesterday, increasing that number to 34. Mangini said the tryouts and free agents are in a "one-for-one" situation, meaning if any tryouts are invited to training camp, it will be at the expense of a free agent.

#24 DARRELLE REVIS

Position: Wide receiver.

Height: 5-11.

Weight: 197.

Born: May 6, 1985, in Alaska.

High school: Taft, Woodland Hills, Calif.

College: USC.

Drafted: Second round, No. 51 overall.

Played 46 games for the Trojans, starting 25, all in his final three seasons ... Had 190 catches for 3,019 yards and 22 touchdowns - fifth in school history in receptions, fourth in receiving yards and fifth in TDs ... Best season was senior year, with 71 catches for 1,083 yards and nine TDs, despite playing most of the time on a sprained ankle ... Trained with Reggie Bush for much of the offseason.

[jets0n]

you can see the change of direction and then the burst," Mangini said. "The other thing that you notice is, he's got a very physical way about him in terms of how he places his hands on people, which is always positive."

My favorite line.