Darrelle Revis: Does Jets Star CB Deserve 'Jordan Rule' from NFL Refs?

Brandon Marshall is a regular on Revis Island. He enjoys the spotlight and the competition but he isn't always happy with the treatment and service.

According to Marshall, owner, manager and operator of Revis Island, Darrelle Revis, receives special treatment, or the "Jordan Rule" if you will, on the football field.

The Miami Dolphins wide receiver was quoted by ESPN New York's Jane McManus as saying:

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"My technique could have been better but at the same time I think they gave him the Jordan Rule. You get a little close to Michael Jordan they’re going to call the foul. And it works that way in football ... I am one of the faces of football but it’s not as big as Darrelle. When they have to pick they pick Darrelle."

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Marshall points specifically to Revis' 100-yard pick-six against him and the Dolphins in Week 6 as proof of "Jordan Rule" treatment.

According to McManus' tally, Revis has been flagged only three times all season, "an illegal contact for five yards, holding for five yards and another holding call that was declined. Not a single pass interference."

That is a truly impressive stat considering the physical nature with which Revis plays the game.

The real question is whether or not he deserves that treatment. And with all honesty, he does to some degree.

Revis has been attacked this season more than in years past, but we also know that it is becoming increasingly difficult to be a defender in today's NFL. Even the slightest bit of contact downfield can draw the yellow from an aggressive zebra.

The Jets cornerback has been subject to attack this year in the press a few too many times, and the fact of the matter is that he is still one of the league's best cornerbacks, if not the best. He finds a way to be physical within the rules and, more often than not, is going to make the tackle if a pass is completed on him.

For every completion there is an incompletion. For a guy who still isn't thrown at too often, he is tied for second in the league in passes defended.

And when good quarterbacks challenge Revis, they know they can only put the ball in a place where their receiver can get to it. The Bradys, Mannings (both), Romos, Brees, Rodgers and Roethlisbergers of the world know not to test him with anything but a great ball.

Refs are as much a part of the game as anything else. They are part of the field of play. They are allowed to have their opinions. And we cannot actually have a game without them.

Ultimately, if there is a little bit of love for Revis because of his superstardom, he's done everything necessary to earn it.