Why does Jets’ Darrelle Revis deserve to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year? He is the major reason the Jets are ranked #1 in passing defense against and #1 in total defense. His ability to take on opposing teams’ best wide receivers, man-to-man, week after week, allows the Jets defense to play 8-up-front to stop the run. His ability to cover wide receivers while the Jets blitz makes them dominant, confident and successful.

And if that isn’t enough … Jets coach Rex Ryan insists CB Darrelle Revis has made a bigger impact this season than Ray Lewis ever did in Ryan’s time with the Ravens. Ryan pointed to Revis’ ability to change the way the whole defense plays by erasing No. 1 receivers. “I was going to be subtle about this, but if he’s not the NFL defensive player of the year, something is wrong with the system,” Ryan said.

His 2009 regular season stats include 47 tackles, 7 assists, 6 interceptions with 1 returned for a TD. In post-season play he had 1 interception wihile shutting down the Bengals star WR Chad Ochocinco (or is it Johnson).

Darrelle’s durability is also one of his best assets. He has played in every Jets game over the last three NFL seasons – that’s 48 regular season games and 1 NFL playoff game.

In the NFL 2009 season, Revis has completely outplayed opposing wide receivers like Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Randy Moss (twice), Terrell Owens (twice), Steve Smith, Roddy White and Chad Ochocinco (twice). In each of these matchups he has not given up more than 5 receptions or more than 35 yards. The opposition has only scored once against him.

Here is Darrelle Revis’s one-on-one matchup statistics:

Week	Wide Receiver	Team	Catches	Yards	TDs
1	Andre Johnson	Texans	4	35	0
2	Randy Moss	Patriots	4	29	0
4	Marques Colston	Saints	2	33	0
6	Terrell Owens	Bills	3	13	0
11	Randy Moss	Patriots	5	34	1
12	Steve Smith	Panthers	1	4	0
13	Terrell Owens	Bills	3	31	0
15	Roddy White	Falcons	4	33	0
16	Reggie Wayne	Colts	3	33	0
17	Chad Ochocinco	Bengals	0	0	0
WC	Chad Ochocinco	Bengals	2	28	0

And if his statistics don’t impress, his character will …

When asked his reaction to coach Rex’s praise, Darrelle responded, “That’s crazy for him to say that,” “I just look at it as simple: I’m just trying to do my job. He believes in my talent, I believe in my talent and I just go and play, man.”

Defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman, a former Pro Bowl cornerback, remembers joining Ryan’s coaching staff and meeting Revis for the first time.

“One of the first things he said to me was, ‘Coach me,”‘ Thurman said. “He wants to be recognized as the best corner, not one of the best. He’s still learning how to study the game and he’s willing to work at it, and that’s refreshing.”

Combine Revis’ athletic ability, impressive statistics, modesty, respect and outstanding work ethic and you have a player the NFL, and the New York Jets family, can be proud, and deserving of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year!

sources: nfl.com, yahoo sports, espn.com