Report: NFL Sent Investigators To Jets' Facility To Probe Possible Revis Tampering
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NFL is in the process of deciding if the Jets tampered with Darrelle Revis or if the Patriots are just having a problem digesting a nice helping of sour grapes.
Perhaps both are true, but if so the Jets are the only ones who could face discipline.
Back on Dec. 29, owner Woody Johnson told reporters he "would love for Darrelle to come back," referring to the potential for Revis to become a free agent in March and return to the Jets, the team with which he spent his first six professional seasons. Johnson later claimed he misspoke, but few denied that he did speak about a player still under contract with another team, a clear violation of the rules.
It didn't take long for the Patriots to cry foul.
The NFL reportedly sent investigators to the Jets' facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, on March 8 to talk to new general manager Mike Maccagnan and other front office personnel about the situation. Johnson was not interviewed.
If it is proven that they did tamper, the Jets could face a fine and/or be stripped of draft picks.
During the three-day moratorium prior to the beginning of the free agency signing period, the Patriots declined to pick up Revis' $20 million option for 2015, but still had an exclusive window to work out a long-term deal with the six-time Pro Bowl cornerback. However, that window came and went without a deal and the Jets quickly swooped in with a five-year, $70 million contract, with $39 million guaranteed over the first three years, that Revis accepted.
The Jets officially announced the agreement on March 11, the day after the signing period began.
So, it will be interesting to see what the NFL's investigation reveals and what, if any, punishment will be doled out, but it won't change the fact that the Jets re-signed the best defensive back in the league, while the Patriots, along with the departure of Brandon Browner, now have serious problems in their secondary just six weeks removed from winning the Super Bowl.
In addition, the Patriots have their own league ruling to worry about, as sooner or later the NFL will issue some kind of decree on the "Deflate-gate" scandal.
