Trade? What trade?
That was basically the message from Jets general manager John Idzik yesterday as he met the media in advance of next week’s NFL Draft. Idzik was asked repeatedly about a potential Darrelle Revis trade and danced around answering any of the questions.
A report from the Tampa Bay Times says the Buccaneers may be ready to drop out of the Revis sweepstakes, leaving the Jets with no interested trade partners. The Jets and Bucs have been engaged in talks for the star cornerback for almost two months, but Tampa Bay is balking at the Jets’ insistence on receiving three draft picks in return for Revis, according to the report.
The Jets reportedly are seeking first-, third- and fifth-round picks from Tampa Bay, although it is unclear if the third- and/or fifth-round picks would be from this year’s draft or next year’s. The report indicated the Bucs were willing to part with their first-round pick (No. 13 overall) and another pick, but not three.
A deal would need to be done several days before the April 25 Draft to allow the Tampa Bay team doctors to examine Revis’ surgically repaired left knee.
Idzik called all the reports on a potential Revis trade “speculative.” He did, in general terms, say the Jets would be open to making a trade.
“We will definitely look at any trade possibilities and see if it benefits the Jets,” Idzik said. “We’ll have open discussions on potential trades. A lot of them may be our own what-if scenarios. We’ll explore all avenues to try to better our roster, to try to increase the competition on our roster.”
As far as specifics, Idzik avoided them as if they were hazardous to his health. He would not say whether he believes Revis will be on the roster when the season starts.
“I don’t like looking too far ahead,” Idzik said. “I know everyone’s anxious to know. We’d love to know who the 53 are. We’d love to know who we’re going to draft in another couple of weeks. We prepare for things that could happen and we let things play out. I don’t like to get into speculation or percentages or what’s your gut feel. We just take the task at hand and do the job at hand and let things play out.”
Idzik said he spoke to Revis this week after forcing the cornerback to report to the beginning of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts. He did not offer up anything that was said.
Revis was not the only subject that made Idzik clam up. He also would not clarify what quarterback Tim Tebow’s future with the team is.
He would not say if Tebow is going to be given a chance to compete for the starting job. But if Tebow is a quarterback and he is on the roster, isn’t he part of the quarterback competition?
“I’m not saying he is. I’m not saying he isn’t,” Idzik said. “I’m just saying let’s let things play out.”
The team is believed to be desperate to trade him, holding out hope it can recoup something for the awful trade made last year.
“I don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” he said. “We just had two days of offseason conditioning. We’re running in shorts right now. We’re lifting weights. Unfortunately, we can’t even throw a football for another two weeks. We’ve got to get that changed.”
That last remark was a shot at the new CBA, which prevents players from doing much of anything until May. It was the most honest thing he said during the 30-minute press conference.