Darrelle Revis Comments on Retirement, Injuries, Physical Shape and More

Darrelle Revis isn't the shutdown superstar he once was, and the New York Jets cornerback acknowledged as much in an interview with Newsday's Kimberley A. Martin.

In the candid conversation, Revis disclosed that his "body's breaking down" and that he's not the same player who previously thrived in one-on-one matchups on the outside:

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Yeah, I am [breaking down]. I mean, not in a bad way. I can still play. It's just, I'm breaking down. I'm 31. How many corners are 31 right now in the league? The league's getting younger. I know [Vikings cornerback Terence] Newman's still playing [at 38], which is impressive. But I don't know how he's doing it.

"

Despite the seemingly rapid decline in his play, Revis said he has no plans to retire: "I'm not thinking about retirement at this moment. I've just got to continue to take care of my body. Some of the past injuries, they linger. They linger."

Revis has battled injuries throughout the Jets' woeful 2-5 start, including a hamstring ailment that forced him to miss the team's Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While the bumps and bruises certainly haven't helped, Revis has looked like a shell of the cornerback who used to invite receivers to come vacation on "Revis Island" for an afternoon.

Last season, Revis allowed opposing receivers to record 14.6 yards per catch as he failed to show the deep speed that once made him a menace on the outside, according to Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson.

As a result, the Jets have started to be more conservative with the way they deploy Revis.

"Revis looks visibly slower than he has in the past, unable to react and mirror receivers like he used to," Monson wrote. "It seems that either he or the Jets—possibly both—are aware of that, too, and he tries to protect himself by lining up with softer coverage than he has in the past."

That tactical approach serves as a stark contrast to the way Revis was used in his prime.

"When you play Cover Zero on some of the best receivers in the world, it takes a toll on your body," Revis said of his past, per Martin. "And your coaches have confidence to say we trust that you're going to shut down this guy that had 200 yards receiving and the week before he had [more]. We trust you with that job. So it's hard. It's a lot."

Revis' body may be failing him, but the Jets need their No. 1 corner to come through with a big performance this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Although the Browns don't boast a potent passing attack, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor has emerged as a physical force who can leap over and burn past some of the league's best shutdown presences.