Over the past few years, Darrelle Revis has been known as the best corner back in the NFL. Some people believe that teams really try to throw away from Revis because he is such a very good corner back. I do believe he is a great corner back, but is he better than the one that coined the phrase "Shut Down Corner"? Deion "Prime Time" Sanders knew he was special when he came out of college, but was he a better starter than Revis in his first five years? Well I thought I would break it down for you all and let you all decide.
In Darrelle Revis rookie year in 2007, he was inked in from week one as a starting corner back for the New York Jets. In his first year, he started all 16 games and finished the year with 74 tackles, 3 interceptions and one fumble recovery. That was a very solid rookie year for the former Pittsburgh Panther.
In Deion’s first year with the Atlanta Falcons, he only started 10 games, but in those 10 starts he was able to accrue 39 tackles, pick off the opposing quarterbacks 5 times, force 2 fumbles and recovery another. I don’t want people to look at Deion’s return ability in this debate, so I am not going to put up Deion’s phenomenal return statistics, because we want to find out who is the best shut down corner in their first five years.
In Revis’ second year he started all 16 games again, and racked up his first and only Quarterback sack. Revis finished his 2nd year as a Pro-Bowler that had 45 tackles, 5 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, A fumble forced and one recovered. Revis deserved a pro bowl invited because he had a very solid second year.
Deion on the other hand started all 16 games, accrued 50 tackles, had a total of 3 interceptions in which 2 were returned for touchdowns and two fumble recoveries. Deion did not get an invite to the Pro-Bowl, but it was not far away from the stud corner who came out of FSU.
Revis in year three didn’t stop producing, he finished the season with 47 tackles, 6 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, two more fumble recoveries and a second Pro Bowl invite. Since Revis was playing in New York, he was given the name Revis Island because he was becoming a very good corner.
Deion in his third year would produce again earning his first ever Pro Bowl invite. He had his only NFL Sack in his career this year, finishing with 49 tackles, 6 interceptions. One of the picks was for Touch-down. He forced 2 fumbles and had a fumble recovery. As you can see, Deion and Darrelle had very similar stats in year 3.
In year four Revis would earn his third Pro-Bowl invite after only playing in 13 games. Revis missed almost all of training camp and all four of the team's preseason contests while holding out for a new contract. He was to receive approximately $1 million in the fourth year of a six year contract. On September 5, an agreement was reached on a four year $32 million guaranteed contract, and Revis subsequently reported to camp the next day, a week before the team's season opener. In the first game of the season, Revis would strain a hamstring and end up missing two games. He still finished the season with 26 tackles, and two fumble recoveries. Revis did not record one interception this year but was still named to the Pro Bowl.
Deion on the other hand just kept playing for the Falcons, earning his second Pro Bowl invite. Deion finished with the most tackles in his career in one year with 66. He added three more interceptions, two forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Deion was on a hot streak and was becoming now as one of the best corners in the game.
Last year Darrelle Revis, returned to premier form. He finished the season with 41 tackles and 4 interceptions. Revis intercepted a pass intended for Brandon Marshall and ran it back 100 yards for a touchdown on October 17, 2011, tying the longest interception return in Jets history, first set by Aaron Glenn in 1996. Revis made his fourth straight Pro Bowl last season.
Deion finished out his fifth and final year with the Atlanta Falcons on a high note. He had a total of34 tackles, but had a career high 7 interceptions and another fumble forced. Over his five years with the Falcons, Sanders found his way to the end zone ten times (three defensive, three kick returns, two punt returns, and two receptions). Deion finished his 5th season as a pro-bowler as well, making it three straight years in a row.
Revis finished his first five years with a total of 283 tackles, 1 sack, 18 Interceptions, 363 yards on interceptions for 3 touchdowns, 2 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Revis was also a 4 time Pro-Bowler in his first 5 years.
Deion finished his first five years with a total of 238 tackles, 24 interceptions, 520 yards on returns and 6 touchdowns. He forced 7 fumbles and recovered another 6 fumbles, and was a three time Pro Bowler.
So my question to you all is, Is Darrelle Revis a better corner than Deion was in his first five years?