Darrelle Revis' phone interview might translate into win for Rex Ryan's NY Jets
Darrelle Revis is normally open with the media unless a radio host decides to push his buttons.
The Jets had done arrogance, had done atonement, had done playfulness. They had pretty much run through their entire repertoire during a typical pre-big-game week around here, or so we thought.
Then yesterday, Darrelle Revis pulled some petulance out of the locker, a new twist on the old behavioral arc. Revis and Mike Francesa got into it during a WFAN phone interview, Francesa played the bulldog while Revis covering him tight, played the pit bull. Eventually, a Jets PR guy yanked the plug on the session and only made things a little more embarrassing for everyone.
It was just an extra dash of media mayhem around the Jets, but what we may have learned in the process is that this team, right now, is more sensitive and nervous about a regular-season contest than at any time since Rex Ryan took over. Their record isn't great, the opponent is imposing, the game is at hand and the Jets are not a happy bunch at the moment.
Maybe this testiness will translate into something good tomorrow. Goodness knows they can use a wake-up call, because they have been sleepwalking through too many first quarters. That's the hope anyway.
Clearly, though, Revis and the Jets were not in the mood for Francesa yesterday, when the talk-show host was being playful, in his way, and Revis was not. The Jets don't like Francesa, who doesn't like Ryan. Francesa kept goading Revis during the interview, arguing with him about whether he'd interfered with Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall during his game-changing pick this past Monday. Francesa did nothing wrong, really. He just milked the subject. This was good radio and he knew it. Nothing personal.
Soon, however, it became a bit uncomfortable. Revis was telling Francesa he knew nothing about football, and Jared Winley , the Jets PR official, came on the line to advise Revis to hang up the phone. Revis was only too happy to oblige.
"This is why nobody wants to get interviewed by him," Revis said, before ending the conversation.
Winley graciously apologized later, stating he simply should have asked Francesa to move on to another topic. A lot of people will say that Francesa forced the cornerback into a corner, and there is no doubt Francesa could have let the matter drop sooner. Revis was perfectly fine talking about the Marshall play on Wednesday and Thursday with other media. He is always at his locker during open sessions, always cooperative.
But Francesa was pushing Revis' buttons, just as Revis was getting to Francesa when he said the interviewer knew nothing about football because he wasn't on the field and never played the game.
The Jets hung up, rarely a good idea. Francesa suddenly had himself even better radio. He'd made some news.
That sort of news shouldn't have anything to do with Jets-Chargers tomorrow, but you know what? There is something in the air around the Jets these days, something different, that came out yesterday on live radio.
The Jets are a little grumpy. Let's see if that helps them stop Philip Rivers .
I feel a little bad for Jim Fassel, even as the guy is going for his third straight championship on Friday night. Fassel coaches the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League and will face the Virginia Destroyers for the title. He's also the team's GM and president. The trouble is ...... Read More
Jets PR staffer jumps in and tells Pro Bowl CB to hang up on heated interview Friday.
Darrelle Revis' WFAN phone interview is an extra dash of media mayhem around the Jets.
Pujols owned up to the error. Just a day late. And all of his protesting aside, he knows it.
The Cardinals and Rangers starting pitching has dominated the first two games of the WS.
Memo to Derek Fisher: I've been lied to before. During the 2005 labor negotiations.
Boxing fan dissatisfaction is running at an all-time high on the heels of Hopkins PPV dud.
We couldn't resist when we saw how cute Jennie Finch looked in a Giants uniform
There are the Packers. And then there is everyone else. And so the season goes.
Rangers beat writer Pat Leonard ranks the league from the Capitals to the Blue Jackets.
Some of the world's top athletes traded uniforms for birthday suits ... take a peek.
Eric Foster of the Colts joins this unfortunate club when he dislocates his ankle on MNF.
Tell us who should come back and who should wave goodbye to Yankee Stadium.
Own a Daily News photo of your favorite Jet.
Find a photo.
Source:
