Revis dominated Moss in both meetings last season, prompting the New England Patriots' wide receiver to remark Tuesday that he "prided [his] offseason on staying off Revis Island." When Revis heard that comment, he smiled, taking it as a psychological victory.
"Obviously, if he's speaking that ... I'm sure it was on his mind in the offseason," the Jets' star cornerback said Wednesday.
Revis held Moss to nine catches for 58 yards and one touchdown last season in two meetings, yet Moss refused to give props to Revis, claiming it wasn't an open and shutdown case of man-to-man coverage.
Moss said Revis received plenty of safety help. Revis dismissed that notion, calling Moss a "slouch" during a TV interview last January in which he was playing a word-association game.
Reminded of that quote, Revis refused to back away from it.
"When I played him the first game last year, I called him a slouch for a reason, because that game, he played like a slouch. That's the simple point," said Revis, adding that he still has great respect for Moss.
For the record, Revis doesn't think Moss played like a slouch in the second meeting. He scored on a 4-yard reception in that game, a blowout win for the Patriots, but it came on a quick snap, quick pass that was indefensible, according to Revis.
Moss apparently is fired up for the meeting. In an ESPN SportsCenter interview Tuesday, he said, "We're coming to the Meadowlands on Sunday, man, so you got 60 minutes of this 'Slouch.'"
The rivalry has made a 180-degree turn. A year ago, it was Revis who felt disrespected. Now Moss is doing the chirping, issuing a challenge.
"I guess that's what he's been worrying about all offseason, staying off Revis Island," Revis said. "I'm sure he's going to come well-prepared Sunday, and I'm sure he's going to have some tricks up his sleeve."
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