TAMPA, Fla. -- Darrelle Revis was talking about Matthew Stafford, praising the ability of the Detroit Lions quarterback to throw deep to the NFL's most dangerous target, when defensive tackle Gerald McCoy walked his way.
This was in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' locker room Wednesday, and the buzz had begun. Revis vs. Calvin Johnson on Sunday at Ford Field. Two players at the top of their profession, and as McCoy called it, a meeting where "the unstoppable force meets the immovable object."
Revis was about to finish a thought about the duality of Detroit's offense when McCoy approached a nearby exit. The defensive leader has called Revis "Optimus Prime" this week, a nickname inspired by the "Transformers" comics that's the yin to Megatron's yang, and another greeting was delivered.
"Go Optimus Prime!" McCoy said, before disappearing into a hallway.
The NFL is a league of individual matchups, some more blockbuster than others. The Week 12 pairing between the Bucs and Lions is a delicious showdown fit for comic books, with Tampa Bay's $96-million man set to face Detroit's 6-foot-5, 236-pound specimen who has made a living shredding secondary after secondary.
What makes Revis vs. Johnson so intriguing, though, is what's at stake for the game's best cornerback. Revis' first season with Tampa Bay has become a mixed experience, one that has included everything from questions about his left knee's health to doubts about the amount of zone coverage played, even admissions of boredom because opponents have avoided targeting him.
Slowly, Revis has regained his form, a process that has seemed like a project at times. Sunday, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was held to 36 yards on three catches in the Bucs' victory at Raymond James Stadium, another sign that perhaps the "Revis Island" intimidation made famous with the New York Jets has found a new home here.
After protecting Revis' recovering knee in zone coverage early this fall, Tampa Bay's staff has allowed the four-time Pro Bowl player to stretch himself in more man coverage as he has gained comfort. The evolution sets up a fascinating opportunity Sunday.
"I think everybody has a chip on their shoulder each week just going out playing and trying to compete," Revis said. "When you matchup the best against the best, there's probably a little more of a chip on your shoulder, because at the end of the game, you want to get the best of that person. I'm sure Calvin feels the same way."
These two superstars, with seven Pro Bowl appearances between them, have rarely met but are no strangers. Revis held Johnson to one catch for 13 yards on four targets when the Jets beat the Lions in overtime Nov. 7, 2010, in Detroit.
But there's respect from both sides of this Megatron-Optimus Prime duel, an understanding found whenever two elite talents meet. Revis considers Johnson humble, laid-back, someone who avoids trash talk and instead lets accolades speak for themselves.
"I respect that," Revis said.
Meanwhile, Johnson has praised Revis' instincts, an ability to track the ball unlike anyone else. He knows there will be more intensity when No. 24 glares at him from across the line of scrimmage, but the game's fundamentals never change.
"I try to keep it all level because you can't get too high because you'll mess around and be too high on one play, and it carries into the next play," Johnson said.
"The focus level is definitely going to be there. The intensity is going to be there. All those things that are good will be there."
The good won't be shared between them alone. Bucs coach Greg Schiano, speaking about how he'll scheme against Johnson, admitted that the fan in him must step away and make sure all members of his defense are placed in a position to succeed. This will be no solo strategy.
Meanwhile, McCoy likely spoke for many on the Bucs' defense when he said: "I hate that I won't get to see (the matchup), because I'll be pass-rushing."
"I know he's going to take care of business," Bucs linebacker Adam Hayward said of Revis. "That's his job. That's why we have Revis. He's going to do what he's going to do."
Johnson will try to do what he does best as well. It's ridiculous to consider what the seven-year pro has accomplished this season: He has five games with at least 100 yards receiving, including a season-high 329 on 14 catches in a home victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. He leads the league in receiving yards (1,083) and receiving touchdowns (11), and he has been targeted no fewer than eight times each game (he has been targeted as many as 17 times twice).
Those numbers hint at a prime chance for Revis. There will be no boredom Sunday, no wondering when the next action will come. He'll be a gatekeeper of Tampa Bay's defense, the most trusted safety valve against Johnson's constant threat.
"He's like a create-a-player," Revis said, referring to the customized-player option in football video games. "Everything is (rating) 99. Make him as big as you can. Make him run as fast as you can, and then he's explosive. I don't know. It's the genes."
If nothing else, Sunday will reveal whether Revis still has freakish traits himself. He brushed aside a question of whether he has anything to prove against Johnson with a predictable, "No. Nah, nah. I'm fine." Then he and others nearby burst into short laughter.
Certainly, Revis' reputation, like Johnson's, sends a clear message. But whether the three-time All-Pro cornerback believes it or not, Sunday's stage is a marker to see how far he has transitioned in his Tampa Bay chapter. Big spotlight, big chance.
"That's what this league is about, outstanding players, and they're two of the best at their position in the NFL," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "Everybody in the NFL's a great athlete -- that's been said a million times -- but there's something special about both of those guys."
There's no argument there. As Revis neared the end of his conversation Wednesday, a digital clock on a wall in the far side of the locker room counted down the time until kickoff: Three days, 22 hours, 20 minutes.
A special showdown awaits, and it can't arrive soon enough.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
