Does 3 great years and a ring equate to a HOF resume?
I am not sure it does.
Funny, I began asking myself the same question when I saw this thread.
A few years ago, he was a "a lock" for the Hall of Fame. One thing is sure: that championship with the Patriots is a huge deal from a Hall of Fame perspective, whereas it didn't seem like it was necessary at the time.
Revis was, for a few years, one of the best CBs to play the game. His longevity, though, could prevent him from being a first-ballot, much like Terrell Davis. Personally, I think he is definitely worthy of Canton; I'm just surprised at how far his standing among "all-time great cornerbacks" will wane, and arguably that is because he chose the Jets over the Patriots. I think in New England, he would have still been a good player in 2015 with good discipline and coaching. Likewise, I doubt his falloff in 2016 would have been that dramatic. There's no way he is ruining his career in 2017 in a Patriots uniform by by half-assing it in a playoff game.
The guys is only 32, and the way he played (physical, opponent study, etc.) appeared to set him up for a long career.
Charles Woodson played CB through age 35 and converted to safety until age 39. Champ Bailey played CB at 35. Rod Woodson played CB through age 33 and converted safety until 38. Deion Sanders played at 35, then unretired at age 37 for two more seasons. Darrell Green played CB at 42! Mel Blount played until 35.
All in all, Revis would be an Hall of Fame outlier if his career ends now, which it appears to be. He was All-Pro First Team in four seasons, and his prime was for about 5-6 healthy seasons.
