He should take a pay cut

Why the wimpiness? Why so hesitant to deal with reality? They are usually not wallflowers when talking about inconsistent performers . . .

I saw an ESPN headline yesterday “The media has given LeBron James a free pass he doesn’t not deserve.”

This was quote from Skip Bayless.

I don’t want to get into Bayless. I’m not a fan of this show or any of the ESPN debate shows.

But the headline made think of a Jets scenario.

The media and Darrelle Revis.

At the combine, Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles held lengthy press conferences.

At both pressers, which were separate, there wasn’t one question about Revis making $17 million this year.

There were questions about Brick Ferguson taking a pay cut, about DeMario Davis and Damon Harrison’s impending free agency, Mo Wilkerson and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s contract situations, Nick Folk’s future and so forth.

All kinds of money questions.

But nothing about an older cornerback, who has lost a step, making $17 million this year.

That salary impacts all the financial situations I mentioned above.

That contract is going to contribute to the Jets releasing some guys and no re-signing others.

Revis had a mediocre year. That is now way around that. It’s what is know as an “inconvenient truth.”

I’m sorry if me stating that upsets some people, but I try to keep it real, folks.

I shocked a lot of people when I asked Todd Bowles in the middle of last season why he was staying with Antonio Cromartie as a starter.

Craig Carton said it was a “deuschy”

How’d that work out?

This isn’t about me being right.

I’m wrong plenty.

I just don’t like when things are sugarcoated, and there are double standards, where some players get slammed repeatedly, and other they don’t lay a glove on.

I treat’em all the same.

Revis should take a pay cut.

His money this year is absolutely insane and not commensurate with his current skill set.

Before you call me naïve, of course I know that Revis and his agents aren’t going to do this. We all know how they are wired.

But the Jets should ask him to, and the media should suggest it.

Too many reporters don’t want to offend Revis, perhaps like basketball writers don’t want to offend LeBron.

When a player ascends to a certain status, it almost becomes sacrilege to criticize them.

Did Revis attain superstar status. No doubt. But he’s not there anymore.

So those still kissing his ring are living in the past.

Aside from not wanting to offend Revis, another reason some don’t want to cross Revis (and saying he needs to take a pay cut would be crossing him) is they don’t want to get cut off from the Schwartz/Feinsod gravy train.

Revis’ agent are a tremendous resource for many reporters. They are often the “league source” you read in many articles.

They have helped elevate some media careers.

And if you want to keep getting stuff, you better not criticize Revis.

I’m on the record saying Revis should move to safety, like Charles Woodson, Malcolm Jenkins, Devin McCourty and other corners have.

I think he would be a tremendous safety. His lost step won’t matter as much there, and his instincts and ball skills would shine.

But with all the egos involved, this isn’t going to happen.

However, whatever position he plays, he needs to take a pay cut.

I know he will bristle at the suggestion, and the likelihood of it happening is a long shot, but why can’t reporters ask about it or write about it?

We have freedom on the press.

And anybody looking at the Jets’ financial landscape realizes that Revis contract is putting a monkey wrench in some of the Jets’ plans.

I’d say he’s a $5 million corner now, not a $17 million corner.

I’m not being disrespectful, just trying to keep it real.

I treat’em all the same.

March 3, 2016

Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Friday.