The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as a new trade candidate for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, as the team has a nice amount of cap space and the pieces to acquire him.
According to ESPN.com, the Buccaneers have emerged as a possible trade partner, as they have enough cap space to sign the cornerback to a long-term extension at the price he wants. Revis has reportedly asked to be the highest-paid player on defense in the NFL and the Jets have appeared unwilling to do so.
Many of the reasons teams can't get Revis is the reason why the Buccaneers are a good fit. The team is $32 million under the salary cap and after spending some money on free agents last year in Vincent Jackson and Eric Wright, the team could do it again.
The Jets likely will want draft picks for Revis at fair value and the Buccaneers have one that is high enough at number 13 that could tempt New York. The Buccaneers aren't getting a shutdown corner with that pick anyway and if they feel Revis is a player they can grab, they might make the move. The team also has an extra fourth round pick this season, meaning they might not mind parting with one of their earlier picks.
Tampa Bay has set itself up to be in a good cap position for the next few years and Revis's contract would not handicap the team from making other moves. The team was awful in passing defense despite having the top rushing defense, finishing number 31 in the league in total defense last season.
The team also is in need of a cornerback after trading away Aqib Talib to the Patriots last season and Ronde Barber is getting up there in age, although he has proven to be a capable player over the past few seasons. Wright was a big signing but he disappointed last season and was also suspended for violating the NFL drug policy. He could be moved in a trade for Revis as well to soften the blow for the Jets losing a cornerback.
The team drafted safety Mark Barron two years ago and would be greatly upgrading the secondary with Revis, who probably wouldn't mind playing in a warmer climate. The trade could really help the defense and that would take pressure of Josh Freeman and the offense next season.
Tampa Bay finished 7-9 last season and out of the playoffs after starting off 1-4 and the team never could recover. They had a nice streak of four wins in a row, but they then dropped the next five before beating the Flacons in the final game of the season.
Greg Schiano made waves after going after Eli Manning at the end of the Giants game last season, but he is a former Rutgers coach and knows New Jersey, which is where Revis currently plays. If the Buccaneers are serious about turning the team into a winner, Revis would be a prime way to start.
