Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives…*.

All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis was asked yet again about his contract situation yesterday, and as has been the case with every single interview regarding his contract, Revis declined to say whether or not he was planning to hold out of training camp.

Word on the street is that it wasn’t the most charming interview in the history of interviews.

Revis refused to admit that he was planning a holdout and told reporters he “is focused on getting ready for this year” and again that, “he is getting ready for the season.” That reply did not satisfy reporters who heard the cornerback say he was “happy” with his contract three weeks prior. Things sort of took off from there.

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post released audio of the interview with beat reporters (you can hear Hubbuch and Cimini) and the audio has created quite the stir amongst both the media and fans, as Revis eventually grew “testy” (not my words, I will have you know) when questioned about his situation. (Wait — But, there isn’t a situation. At least, not YET.  Ah, nevermind).

Listen, I’m not going to sit here and dissect the interview, but because reporters seemed very confused by his responses – or at least, they must have been, as they asked the same question a gazillion times - I am going to attempt to to clear things up for everyone.

Darrelle started by saying, “Here we go with the contract questions.” Translation: Are you seriously going to ask me about this again? 

“I’m getting ready for the season, and anything with my contract, we’ll deal with that in the future.” Translation, in two parts. 1) I’m trying to operate under the assumption I will be playing with the team on Week One, and so I would like to prepare for the start of the season along with everyone else. 2) I’m not going to say anything official about my contract right now. When the time comes, I will.

“I can’t [guarantee he will be in camp]. I don’t know. I don’t know if I am or if I’m not.” Translation: I probably won’t be there, but I am not going to say that because we are in negotiations right now. That is how negotiations work, idiots.

Any questions?

While I am certainly in the business of speculation, much like Darrelle, I have mostly declined to comment on his contract situation and possible holdout. I know I am in the minority on this, but as someone who has engaged in many contract negotiations myself (and if you don’t know what I am referring to, ask me), I feel that those negotiations were best kept behind closed doors. Look at what happened with the lockout. Honestly, I don’t want to know about it. Just tell me when it’s over.

What I DON’T like is when people take their contract drama public. (Ahem, Chris Johnson. Ahem, Matt Forte). This is a tactic, but it isn’t one I respect. Revis has really said very little publicly (at least, that is my interpretation). And though some of his comments have appeared to be contradictory, my impression is that he is trying his best to say nothing and not fuel the fire.

Now, if (when) he does hold out, I imagine there will be a lot of judgement. Again, as someone who has been in contract negotiations myself, it’s hard for me to judge someone who wants to get paid what they are worth. At age 26, he is not only the best cornerback in the NFL but one of the best defensive players in the league. (He is certainly the best player on the team but that is another rant for another day). Like he told the the Daily News, “I’m a corporation, too.” He is absolutely right.

Furthermore, Revis’ contract is a little more complicated than what I have outlined above. His last contract was really more of a “band-aid” and less of a long-term career contract, and that is another reason why it’s not even as simple as “He’s a diva, let him walk” or “Just pay the man.”

I, personally, have resigned myself to the belief that Revis will hold out if he is not given what he wants and deserves. If/when that happens, I can only hope that he gets paid sooner rather than later so he can get his butt out on the field for training camp and start getting ready for the start of the season.

However, let’s not forget that there is a possibility it doesn’t come to that. So why light the torches and piss off the fans and Revis in the process? Are there not enough Tebow-Lolo, Tebow-Sanchez, Tebow-anyoneliterallyjustnameanoyoneoranything stories to write?

Nothing has happened yet. Or perhaps it has, and that is why Revis went from being “cool” with his contract to “I don’t know.” But let’s save the anger, judgement, tears and rage-of-a-thousand-moons for August,when it really matters.

At the end of the day, I still have one burning question that I really need answered. Won’t you please help me answer it in the poll below?

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*(If you don’t know that reference, I am not sure we can be friends).

For more on this subject, check out this from my friends at The Jet Press.