The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' main question remaining after acquiringDarrelle Revis and plopping a mega-contract in his lap: Will the All-Pro cornerback be ready for the season opener against the New York Jets?
A Bucs source told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington on Sunday that the team "absolutely" anticipates Revis playing in Week 1.
Monday morning we heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
"Where Darrelle will be on the day we open camp is on the field," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik told Sports Illustrated's Peter King. "And where he'll be opening day is playing against the Jets. That's what I believe."
The Bucs were convinced Revis was healing properly from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. If they weren't, as King relayed, no deal would have been made.
"If the physical doesn't go right, we're sending him home," coach Greg Schiano and Dominik agreed prior to the cornerback's physical.
The Bucs took a risk sending two potentially high draft picks to the Jets in exchange for an injured star, but they did nicely to protect themselves -- first with only giving up two picks, instead of three, then not guaranteeing any of Revis' $96 million contract. If Revis is even 75 percent his former self out of the gate and the choice was between a potential All-Pro or the No. 13 pick in a draft lacking high-end talent, it's a smart gamble.
Revis, for his part, seems resolved to prove the Bucs' faith was deserved.
"You could see how excited he was," Dominik said. "The look in his eyes was, 'Coach, I will not let you down.' ''
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
