Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis is six inches shorter and 38 pounds lighter than Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. But Revis still thinks he can win a physical battle with Megatron.
Revis won the one-on-one battle with Johnson the only time they played, in 2010, when Johnson had just one catch for 13 yards in a loss to the Jets. Revis told reporters this week, as he prepares to face Johnson again, that bumping Johnson on the line of scrimmage is the way to get him off his game.
“My thought was always just to be physical with him,” Revis said. “No receiver wants to get jammed and pressed at the line, so just be physical with those guys and match what they bring to the table.”
Johnson acknowledged that physical play is something Revis does well, saying he noticed that as a strength of Revis’s when they faced each other previously.
“He’s a lot stronger than the normal corner you’ll face on a regular day,” Johnson said.
Although Revis thinks he can have success against Johnson, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t respect Johnson.
“He’s one of the best in the league -- he’s the best,” Revis said. “He’s the best receiver in the league. I’ve played him before and I’m very familiar with him. I’m looking forward to it this week.”
Any fan who enjoys seeing two of the best players in football going head to head should be looking forward to it, too.