The Jets yesterday signed CB Darrelle Revis to a "five-year contract worth a whopping" $70M, including about $39M in "guaranteed money," according to Bill Pennington of the N.Y. TIMES. Revis, who returns to the Jets after playing with the team from '07-12, will earn $33M "in the first two seasons of the contract" and $48M in the first three years. The Jets "had the salary cap space to make an outsize offer" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/11). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Stu Woo noted the deal will make Revis the highest paid CB "in NFL history" (WSJ.com, 3/10). In N.Y., Manish Mehta writes new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, along with Owner Woody Johnson, "jolted the NFL with a monster play," making the Jets "relevant again" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/11). In N.Y., Gary Myers writes this move does "amazing things" for Johnson's credibility. This is a "terrific move" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/11). Also in N.Y., Steve Serby writes Johnson "needed to light a fire under his franchise and fan base" (N.Y. POST, 3/11). USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero calls the move "a strong statement the penny-pinching of recent years may be over, and the Jets probably aren't done yet" (USA TODAY, 3/11). On Long Island, Bob Glauber writes the Jets "got their man back, and all seems right with the world for a franchise that is so used to feeling the opposite." Glauber: "Same old Jets? Not this time, not with this player, and not with this dramatic move" (NEWSDAY, 3/11). ESPN N.Y.'s Rich Cimini wrote it is a "bold move for the Jets, who are looking for credibility after four straight non-playoff seasons and a regime change" (ESPNNY.com, 3/10). Cimini also wrote the move "sends a loud message: These aren't your John Idzik Jets" (ESPNNY.com, 3/10).
STANDING PAT: On Long Island, Kimberley Martin notes after declining to pick up Revis' $20M option for '15, the Patriots "had roughly 24 hours to reach an agreement on a new contract" (NEWSDAY, 3/11). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy notes the Patriots "reportedly stopped short" at a guarantee of $35M. Shaughnessy: "The Patriots have the money, but that’s not the point. The point is that players don’t matter. It is the system that matters. The system wins Super Bowls. The coach wins Super Bowls. The owner wins Super Bowls." It is "more important that they win at the negotiating table," as it is "all about the value" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/11). ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss wrote Revis is "essentially the player's version of the Patriots -- intelligent, ruthless and often cut-throat at the negotiating table" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 3/10).
ALONG THE ST. JOHNS RIVER: In Jacksonville, Ryan O'Halloran writes under the header, "Jaguars Score Six On First Day Of Free Agency ... And May Not Be Done Yet." The team's six signings, including the acquisition of TE Julius Thomas, "represented the biggest single-day haul in Jaguars free agent history" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/11). Also in Jacksonville, Gene Frenette writes yesterday's haul makes for a "significant upgrade for a talent-challenged roster." Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell deserves credit for "taking some big-time swings in free agency, which was an absolute must" with $68M of cap space in a "plentiful market" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/11).
LIMITED AVAILABILITY: In S.F., Ann Killion notes 49ers CEO Jed York and GM Trent Baalke last year "left most of the comments" about accused players to former coach Jim Harbaugh. When announcing the departure of Harbaugh, York "deplored the team’s lack of 'Winning with class' and asked that fans hold him accountable." But he "has been difficult to reach since then," and did not address the arrest of Niners FB Bruce Miller after yesterday's press conference announcing the retirement of LB Patrick Willis. York "did not make himself available to take questions about the other issues with the team" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/11).
