Contain Texans receiver Andre Johnson? No problem.
Fluster, smother and stifle Patriots receiver Randy Moss?
Consider it done, says Darrelle Revis.
Since his rookie season in 2007, the Jets' Pro Bowl cornerback has taken on the toughest assignments without hesitation, relishing every opportunity to shut down big-name opponents, while making a name for himself.
Last week, Revis held Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver, to four catches for 35 yards, well below his 98.4-yard average a year ago. But Revis faces an even bigger challenge Sunday against the Patriots: the unenviable task of impeding the 6-4 Moss in the open field.
But he said he isn't worried.
"I expect him to be Randy Moss and I'll be Darrelle Revis,"
he said Thursday. "It's going to be a good competition."
Forget "good."
The Revis-Moss battle will be a premier matchup, testing Moss' height against Revis' quick hands and superior speed. Jets coach Rex Ryan is anxious to see what transpires.
"Randy Moss is obviously a great player, great talent, and sometimes as big as he is when he's covered, he's still open. It's a scary thing,"
Ryan said. "A guy with that kind of size, speed and competitiveness is a lethal combination. But Revis, I think, will be up to the task. He's as good as there is in this league."
But aside from Moss — who tied a career high with 12 receptions for 141 yards Monday against the Bills — Revis and Co. also will have to contain Joey Galloway and Wes Welker, one of the best slot receivers around.
"That's a huge task for our secondary,"
Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said.
But if Revis' performance in Houston is any indication, expect to see good things this weekend.
"I thought he did an outstanding job,"
Pettine said, referring to Revis' coverage on Johnson.
" . . . He was up in his face most of the game and he was having fun. You could even see there were times on tape where you could see him smiling. He was out there having a blast and that's what it's all about. The challenge was given to him and he took it. He knew how important it was for us."
"As a coaching staff, to be able to say ... we can eliminate an Andre Johnson from the game with just one guy and that allows us to free up 10 others to play defense, that's a heck of an advantage for us to have each week."
"Now, we're not going to put him on an island ... but there are times during a game where you want to do that. And when you have the luxury of a guy like that, it certainly makes your game plan a lot easier."
Said cornerback Lito Sheppard: "Revis has been one of the best of the business. I think it will be a good challenge. I think it's going to be a big challenge for him and a step in the right direction."
When Revis entered the league two years ago as a first-round pick from Pitt, he showed so much promise that Jets safety Kerry Rhodes gave him the nickname "Baby Lockdown."
He's matured into one of the best players at his position.
"They call me 'Shutdown' now,"
Revis said, laughing. "I've grown up."
