The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are paying Darrelle Revis a lot of money to be a shutdown cornerback. Can he make an immediate return to his prior form?
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In the latest installment of her series documenting Revis' recovery from reconstructive knee surgery, NFL Network's Andrea Kremer asked the All-Pro corner if he expects to be the same player when he debuts as the centerpiece of Greg Schiano's Bucs defense.
"The first time I step out there, I'll be fine," Revis said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "NFL Total Access."
Schiano was asked if he's preparing under the impression that he'll have Revis at the height of his powers.
"That's how we're planning," Schiano told Kremer. "I mean, we have faith that he's going to recover. And look, if it isn't exactly that way right away, then we'll adapt; 85 or 90 percent of Darrelle Revis is still better than most 100 percent other corners, right?"
Revis now can cut and change directions in drills as his rehab remains on schedule. The next step is reading and reacting to an opponent on the field. Todd Toriscelli, the Bucs' director of sports medicine and performance, said the plan is to continue building Revis' speed and strength through June. If all goes according to plan, Revis can use July to start training himself "to play football."
The Bucs open their season against the New York Jets. Kremer called it fitting.
That's not true, of course, but we understand why Revis opted not to spice up things. The last thing that game needs is another hype man.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
