Content available exclusively for subscribers
The Jets had a needless distraction two days before their important game with San Diego, when cornerback Darrelle Revis (and Jared Winley) hung up on radio’s Mike Francesa after the host was rude to him. Here is out take on this situation –
Mike Francesa’s behavior was unfortunate.
He went over the line.
As you all know by now, Darrelle Revis (and Jets PR Director Jared Winley) hung up on the radio host in the middle of an interview on Friday afternoon.
The operative word here is “guest.”
I do radio myself on the Sirius NFL Channel.
And I’ve asked many questions of “guests” and I always remind myself – this is a “guest” – treat he or she accordingly.
That doesn’t mean you avoid tough questions. Not at all.
But you try to keep it dignified and not treat people like the are on trial.
Francesa has a bad habit of lecturing guests instead of interviewing them.
This Revis interview was a perfect example.
Francesa wouldn’t stop badgering Revis about his Pick Six against Miami.
For Mike to tell Revis, that the cornerback was the only person who didn’t think it was interference on that play was a reach.
Francesa clearly wanted a confrontation – maybe it was a publiclity stunt.
After the incident, WFAN sent out a “press release” describing what happened.
The Jets should cut him off once and for all.
Francesa and the Jets have had a bad relationship for a long time.
The only time there was détente was when Francesa’s close friend Bill Parcells was running the Jets.
Before and after that era, the Jets have been his favorite whipping boys.
And the relationship took a turn for the worse in the winter of 2009, and the Jets deserve some blame here.
They decided that during the playoffs that season, they were only going to give their flagship station, 1050 ESPN Radio guests; so no guests for WFAN.
The Jets could have handled this better, and their position here was probably a mistake.
But no matter what the history is, the Jets need to move on from Francesa, but they probably won’t.
The Jets like to be liked. They too often bend over backwards for reporters who continually cross them. They like to take the high road.
But for Darrelle Revis to be put through that kind of nonsense, especially on a Friday before a game, is an unnecessary distraction.
Revis and company will have quite a challenge on Sunday against Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Antonio Gates and company; does he need to be involved in a shouting match with a radio host on Friday afternoon?
Forget about PR, the football side should be pissed at this.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if PR doesn’t boycott Francesa, Jets players will take it upon themselves to do it.
Revis is wildly popular in the Jets locker room.
Not just because he’s a great player, but because he’s a very good guy.
So the verdict here – Francesa – guilty.
Revis and Winley – innocent.