The Jets just could not call it a week without getting themselves into another controversy, but this one was not totally their fault.
Star cornerback Darrelle Revis hung up on WFAN radio host Mike Francesa yesterday at the advice of a Jets public relations staffer after their interview got heated.
Francesa, who has been highly critical of the Jets under coach Rex Ryan, said Revis “mugged” Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall last week before intercepting a pass and returning it 100 yards for a touchdown.
“I didn’t mug Brandon Marshall. No, no, no,” Revis said.
But Francesa refused to relent. He kept badgering Revis, saying it was a penalty. After several minutes of back and forth, Revis became agitated.
“You[‘re] good at interviewing,” Revis said. “I’m good at what I do. Just leave it at that. … That’s your opinion. Have you ever been out on that field?”
Francesa then pointed out former NFL coach and “Monday Night Football” analyst Jon Gruden said Revis committed pass interference on the play during the game.
“I don’t care who said it,” Revis said. “Jon Gruden, you, whoever. I don’t care.”
At this point, Jets public relations director Jared Winley came on the line and told Revis to stop.
“This is why no one wants to get interviewed by you,” Revis said.
Winley then instructed Revis to hang up the phone. The Jets later issued a statement from Winley.
“In my judgment, given the tone of the interview, I should have asked Mike to move on to another topic, instead of instructing Darrelle to hang up the phone,” the statement read. “That was an error on my part. I’ve called Mike’s producer and I apologized.”
Just another day in the Jets’ universe. Last week, players were sniping at each other. This week, Ryan slighted Chargers coach Norv Turner. Now, Revis is fighting talk show hosts.
The Jets and Francesa have had a complicated relationship for some time. The WFAN host has not hidden his disdain for the Jets or Ryan over the past two years. The feud heated up during the playoffs after the 2009 season when Francesa bashed the Jets for backing into the playoffs.
During those playoffs the Jets did radio interviews only on 1050 ESPN, their flagship station and WFAN’s chief competitor. Francesa took that as a personal slight and has taken cheap shots at the Jets since.
The team and Francesa made some peace this summer when he visited training camp in Florham Park and interviewed Ryan, Revis and other prominent Jets.
The current strained relationship is much different than the cozy one Francesa enjoyed with the team when his buddy, Bill Parcells, was the head coach.
Yesterday’s dustup will not change the Jets’ interview policy toward WFAN, a team spokesman said. They still will schedule occasional interviews with their players on the station.
The exchange escalated yesterday because Francesa did not seem to pick up on how agitated Revis was getting. Revis is one of the calmest voices on the team but he clearly did not appreciate Francesa’s dogged insistence that he committed a penalty.
At one point, Revis tried to explain what happened on the play only to be laughed at by Francesa, who seemed to think he and Revis were friends.
“Do you know football or are you good at interviewing?” the All-Pro cornerback asked.
“I’m both,” Francesa replied.
“No, no you’re not. You’re good at one, and I’m good at one,” Revis replied.