FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis never will be what he was a few years ago, but he has overcome his early-season problems -- or so he believes. He said cornerback is a "rhythm" position, and he acknowledges he didn't have much rhythm at the start of the season.
Why not?
"Coming into the season, I had a little bit of a weight problem," the New York Jets star said Monday in an interview with ESPN New York radio. "I was trying to get my weight down. Then the first couple of games went by so fast, I couldn't really get my rhythm. Then the hamstring came."
Previously, Revis admitted his conditioning suffered because his routine was affected by offseason wrist surgery, but this was the first time he spoke of a "weight problem." After the Week 2 win over the Buffalo Bills -- a game in which he allowed an 84-yard touchdown pass -- Revis took umbrage with an Internet report that said he was out of shape. He accused his ex-agents of leaking information. It turned out to be true.
On Thursday, Revis reflected on his poor start, basically saying he's a victim of his own success. He believes he gets criticized like a quarterback, traditionally the biggest lightning-rod position in the sport.
You know what? He's getting paid like a quarterback at $17 million in salary this season.
"I brought it upon myself by playing the game and the position at a high level for so long," he said. "Like I said, I brought it on myself. There's nothing you can do. You take the good with the bad and you go with it. It's almost like you're getting criticized like you're a QB and I'm a DB.
"But, at the same time, that's how it goes. ... What I've done in this league, that (why) I'm critiqued like a quarterback. You end up winning and losing games. If a pass is getting caught (on me), it's just like a quarterback throwing a game-winning touchdown or a game-losing interception. That's how it goes."
Since returning from his hamstring injury, Revis has put together two solid games. He played well against the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and he allowed only one reception last week against the Baltimore Ravens, who targeted him only five times.
"Early in the season, he had two hiccups along the way," said coach Todd Bowles, alluding to the two long touchdowns. "Other than that, he's been playing fine. He's moving a lot better. He's had some nicks here and there, but he's moving a lot better. He's playing well."