EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis has nothing but the utmost respect for former coach Rex Ryan of the Jets.
“I just told him after the game, good luck, good to see him and that was it,” Revis said. “And that’s just what it was. I was just showing him my respects for him coaching me in the past.”
Revis has played against Ryan at MetLife Stadium in another jersey before (Week 1 in 2013 with Tampa Bay), but this meeting was a little different. With Ryan on the hot seat, this could have been his last home game as the Jets’ coach.
“That’s not my focus or my concern,” Revis said when asked about Ryan’s job status. “I have to continue to focus on what we are doing here in New England, and that’s just how I see it.”
Revis, who spent his first six seasons in the league as a member of the Jets -- four of those with Ryan, doesn’t think the weirdness of playing against the Jets will go away.
“Yeah, it’s always weird because I used to be a part of that organization,” said Revis, who was booed at one point when his name was announced for making a tackle. “It’s always going to be weird. But at the same time, I have to put those feelings aside and do my job.”
Another tough moment in Revis’ return to MetLife Stadium came when former teammate Nick Mangold went down with an injury and was carted off the field.
“It was very tough. I’m sure you saw the crowd of players on both teams crowding around him,” Revis said. “I think that’s just because both teams have a lot of respect for Nick and what he’s done in this league. [He’s] one of the best centers in this league. We were former teammates and it was devastating to see him go down like that.
“No one wants to see that happen to a guy like that. He has great character and I know him personally. My heart goes out to his family.”
