TAMPA, Fla. -- Darrelle Revis wants Geno Smith to know that it might be a wise idea to study him.
The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback will make his return to MetLife Stadium on Sunday as part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith, the New York Jets’ rookie quarterback, seems to have taken a loose approach to this fact.
When asked recently whether he had watched old Jets tape of Revis to learn about the three-time All-Pro, Smith made it seem as if the background work were optional.
"I mean, I don't think it's necessary," Smith told the New York Daily News. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't. You pretty much get the idea of what kind of player he is based on his reputation. I mean, we all know about Revis.
"Basically from talking to Mark (Sanchez), talking to our personnel guys around here. If you talk to anyone in this locker room they’ll let you know (that a) healthy (Revis is) one of the best if not the best corner in the game. He’s the guy you definitely have to pay attention to on the field."
Wednesday afternoon, Smith's odd answer seemed to confuse Revis. Even annoy him a little.
"I don't understand why he didn't study me, because I will be on the opposite side," Revis said with a laugh. "But I don't know what their game plan is or what their preparation is, and personally, I don't know what Geno's preparation is. But I would hope if you're playing against another opponent, you should study everybody on the opposing team. If that's the case, that's the case. I'm studying him. Just to let him know, I'm studying him."
Later, Revis was asked whether the Jets must abide by the "Revis Rules," a term coined by New York coach Rex Ryan to describe the don'ts of throwing against the cornerback. (Example: You better not throw the ball from the far hash outside the numbers, because he'll intercept it.)
In his response, Revis took a dig at the rookie.
"We'll see," he said. "I don't know. Geno's not studying me, so I don't know. I really don't know what their game plan is and how they're approaching our secondary, so we'll see come Sunday."
One thing is clear: Sunday became more fun.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
