Gerry: Why would the Steelers want Revis?

Tuesday, 29 January 2013 15:05

Written by Gerry Dulac

            It seems a lot of people think the Steelers should try to obtain All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis just because the Jets are rumored to be willing to trade him.

            My question is, why would the Steelers want him?

            Of all the areas the Steelers need to address this offseason, cornerback might be at the bottom of the list. Especially if the Steelers re-sign Keenan Lewis, which they almost certainly plan to do.

            Lewis was the team’s most consistent cornerback last season after making a dramatic leap in performance from the previous season. Because restricted free agents Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall are not likely to be re-signed. Lewis quickly becomes the team’s No. 1 priority to be retained.

            With Lewis, Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen, the Steelers have the three cornerbacks you need to compete in today’s pass-oriented National Football League.

            Trading for Revis, who played at Pitt and Aliquippa High School, is about the last thing the Steelers would do.

            First of all, it is not their style to make trades for top-flight players who cost a lot of money. They don’t even go after those types of players in free agency. They don’t spend free-agent money on players whose best years are behind them. Rather, they try to wisely invest their money on players whose best years might still be ahead of them – and even then on a very judicious basis.

            Revis will be 28 next season, but he is coming off ACL surgery. He is the last thing the Steelers need to bounce back from an 8-8 season.