National Football League

Elite CBs Revis, Sherman meet for 1st time

Published Nov. 1, 2013 1:25 a.m. ET

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Apparently Darrelle Revis and Richard Sherman got all their talking about one another out of the way during the offseason.

On Thursday, neither had a disparaging word to say about the other despite their much-publicized jawing session on Twitter earlier this year.

So much for any good trash talk before the Buccaneers face the Seahawks, the first time the elite cornerbacks have played against each other.

While they are widely regarded as two of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, good luck getting a unified opinion on which is better. Especially when both are watching what they say heading into Sunday's game.

''I haven't really studied film on him to really make an assumption on him being the top guy,'' Revis said. ''He can play. I love his game. He makes plays. I like how he presses. He's a great corner in this league.''

That's a far different tone than the one both Revis and Sherman took in February, which led to a short, but memorable Twitter argument about who was better.

Revis fired the first shot, ''I never seen a man before run his mouth so much like girl. This dude just steady putting my name in his mouth to get notoriety (at)r-sherman25,'' then brought up Roddy White's 47-yard TD reception for Atlanta against Sherman and the Seahawks in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Sherman responded about an hour later, relying on statistics to make a point: ''Got off my flight to this hilarious convo. So I have 8 picks 3 ff and a sack. My season stats looking like Revis career stats.''

That's when the words appeared to get more personal. Revis pointed out Sherman's lower number of followers and ended his tweet with, ''Sit down young pup & wait your turn.''

Sherman responded directly to Revis, ''one season u will get 8 picks.... But it won't happen anytime soon... I did it in my 2nd season... So u have something to chase.''

That could have ended the tussle, but Sherman continued.

''For the QB not throwing his way argument. In his 2nd year they were throwing his way. I still doubled his picks,'' Sherman wrote.

Finally Revis ended the conversation with four successive tweets saying Sherman's responses were his way of getting attention and drawing followers.

''Hey everyone (at)rsherman-25 wants to be a lockdown corner. He wants to be in the talks of a lockdown corner. So follow him so he can become 1!'' Revis wrote.

Sherman said Thursday he's never met Revis in person. Asked if he had any regrets about the Twitter argument, Sherman stood behind what he said then threw a little praise in the direction of Revis.

''No I don't have any regrets about anything. He's a good player and he's having a good year,'' Sherman said. ''I don't think he's very happy with the way they're using him in the scheme making him play a lot of Cover 2 and making him play off. I think he's much, much better when he's man-to-man. I think any corner that has any pride about himself wants to be in man-to-man situations and want to do his job. Can't help how you're being used.''

From a numbers perspective, Sherman is having the better season. He's tied for the league lead with four interceptions and has eight passes defensed. According to STATS Inc., Sherman has been targeted 37 times and given up 19 completions.

Revis is being targeted less, but percentage wise has allowed more completions. Revis has been targeted 30 times, allowing 16 receptions with one interception and six passes defensed.

The numbers are similar and so is the talent.

''He's a great player. He's one of the best in the NFL but I've been going against, in my opinion, two of the best cornerbacks all season every day in practice,'' Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate said. ''So I think if I handle my business, do my job right, he's just going to be a guy. I'm excited for the challenge. Have tons of respect and it's going to be fun to go against one of the best in the league and maybe even a Hall of Famer.''

Notes: Seattle coach Pete Carroll told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Thursday that WR Percy Harvin will not play against the Buccaneers. ''He's getting close but not close enough,'' Carroll said. Carroll does not speak with local media on Thursday's.

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AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall in Tampa, Fla., contributed to this report.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

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