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How Pittsburgh kid Darrelle Revis could have been a Steeler
10:48 AM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- One of the most gifted cornerbacks of this generation grew up near Pittsburgh and nurtured his island within a few yards of Steelers personnel evaluators.
University of Pittsburgh football shares a practice facility with the Steelers, who were evaluating defensive players for the 15th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin had seen All-American Darrelle Revis up close dozens of times before hosting him for a formal interview.
"They had more exposure to Darrelle than anyone," former Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Mike and Kevin could watch us practice from their desks."
As the Steelers and New York Jets prepare for Sunday's matchup in Heinz Field, back-to-back draft picks from nine years ago will help lead their respective defenses.
At No. 15 overall, the Steelers made a prudent pick with Lawrence Timmons, a former Pro Bowl linebacker with five 100-plus-tackle seasons and two missed games over his career. Timmons has validated the selection.
But when the Jets parachuted into the 14th selection via trade with the Carolina Panthers, some around the league believed they were blocking the Steelers from taking Revis, who's on his second stint with the Jets. Even Revis wondered about that, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the night of the draft, "I figured I'd be going to the Steelers," an Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, native ready to give his hometown team years of coverage assurance in the AFC North.
After a Hall of Fame trajectory and nearly $120 million in career earnings, Revis giggles good–naturedly about the almost pairing when asked Wednesday during a conference call with Steelers media
More at the link..
How Pittsburgh kid Darrelle Revis could have been a Steeler
10:48 AM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- One of the most gifted cornerbacks of this generation grew up near Pittsburgh and nurtured his island within a few yards of Steelers personnel evaluators.
University of Pittsburgh football shares a practice facility with the Steelers, who were evaluating defensive players for the 15th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin had seen All-American Darrelle Revis up close dozens of times before hosting him for a formal interview.
"They had more exposure to Darrelle than anyone," former Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Mike and Kevin could watch us practice from their desks."
As the Steelers and New York Jets prepare for Sunday's matchup in Heinz Field, back-to-back draft picks from nine years ago will help lead their respective defenses.
At No. 15 overall, the Steelers made a prudent pick with Lawrence Timmons, a former Pro Bowl linebacker with five 100-plus-tackle seasons and two missed games over his career. Timmons has validated the selection.
But when the Jets parachuted into the 14th selection via trade with the Carolina Panthers, some around the league believed they were blocking the Steelers from taking Revis, who's on his second stint with the Jets. Even Revis wondered about that, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the night of the draft, "I figured I'd be going to the Steelers," an Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, native ready to give his hometown team years of coverage assurance in the AFC North.
After a Hall of Fame trajectory and nearly $120 million in career earnings, Revis giggles good–naturedly about the almost pairing when asked Wednesday during a conference call with Steelers media
More at the link..