Revisiting the Blockbuster Jets-Buccaneers Trade for Darrelle Revis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were pilfering star players from the AFC East long before Tom Brady decided to sign with them, as they once managed to swipe the best cornerback in football from the New York Jets.

Former Jets star Darrelle Revis, nicknamed "Revis Island" for his ability to be left alone with the best receivers in the league in man coverage and take them out of the game, was a few years removed from a 2009 season many think was the best a cornerback has ever had. In 2013, however, laughable GM John Idzik wanted to start a rebuild, and he started that by trading Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Jets looked like the winners of the trade after the 2013 season. While the Jets landed defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson with the first-round pick Tampa Bay gave them, Revis was cut just a year after signing a six-year, $96 million deal. While he was still effective, Revis is a man cover corner, and he wasn't as dominant in Greg Schiano's zone-heavy defense.

When Revis signed with the New England Patriots, he instantly returned to form, making First Team All-Pro while winning a championship, before making a Pro Bowl upon his fairytale return to the Jets.

Considering the production they got out of Richardson and the eventual return of Revis, it looks like the Jets won this deal.

Tampa Bay might not be in the rarefied Jets/Browns/Lions air when it comes to being cursed, but they certainly seem to be a bit on the snakebitten side. How could someone be the best player in the league at their position before they come to Tampa, not do much of anything as a Buccaneer, and immediately become elite again when they leave? Only in Tampa.