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Although the Aqib Talib news is still very fresh (and if you're waking up in just a few short hours, you may be learning about it now), the Patriots will need to act quickly if they plan on replacing Talib with a viable replacement. While players such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Cortland Finnegan could be decent options, perhaps the one true upgrade available for the team would be Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Revis has been rumored to be in the Patriots sights for a little time now. But with Talib now no longer an option, what once seemed like a pipe dream, now could be a realistic option. Two of the most well-respected reporters to cover the NFL expressed just that following the Talib news:
And now with CB Aqib Talib a Bronco, Patriots figure to make a real push for Darrelle Revis.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2014
Patriots in a strong position to land Revis now, especially after Talib's deal. Revis wants to be there. Will only take a 5th round pick
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2014
The new twist here is that Revis actually wants to play for New England. I suppose the next logical question is, does he want to play for New England enough to take a pay cut? Ultimately, that may not be necessary. If the Patriots can fit Revis into their cap - and there are plenty of ways to do just that - they will actually be holding a team friendly deal in the sense that there are no guarantees past 2014 as Revis is essentially playing on what is a series of gargantuan one year deals.
The Revis situation will move quickly. If the Patriots or some other team don't trade for him by 4 PM ET, the Buccaneers will release him.
In my opinion, finding a way to bring Darrelle Revis to New England isn't the move the Patriots need to make, it's the move they should make. We'll find out shortly what happens.