Darrelle Revis is a damn fine corner – the best in the league maybe. He’s also vital to the Jets’ success this season and he’s arguably the most important piece of Rex Ryan’s defense.

He has also only played one season (that being one, as in – only one) of elite ball, which is why the $162 million over 10 years that he’s asking the Jets to give him is absolutely ridiculous on many levels. (The $162 million figure comes from Newsday’s Bob Glauber.)

The Jets can’t fiscally give into Revis’ contract demands without sacrificing other areas of their team. They have an entire roster to consider – not just one player, a cornerback no less. Not to undermine the importance of the cornerback position, but quarterback is the only spot where a team should break the bank in order to sign or re-sign a player.

Last time I checked, Revis doesn’t throw the football.

Granted, the $162 million figure that Glauber is reporting may be off. After all, the $162 million asking price hasn’t come out of Revis’ mouth; we’re just going off of what Glauber is reporting.

Then again, Revis isn’t in camp and we’re only two and a half weeks away from the start of the regular season. The Jets have reportedly already offered $122 million (in a down economy, mind you) over 10 seasons and Revis has yet to sign. If he’s insane enough to turn down $122 million, then chances are he’s insane enough to ask for $162 million.

Let’s keep in mind that the only reason Revis is asking for this much is because Al Davis gave Nnmadi Asomugha that absurd contract. Or else maybe Revis would have already signed off on a new deal and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

At what point does a team draw the line and say, yes, he’s a great player and we want to retain him – but this is absolutely the highest we can go if we expect to compete long-term? I’d say $122 million, or just over $12 million a year for 10 years is a fair line, especially considering the Jets shouldn’t have to pay for Davis’ mistakes.

Of course, none of this means anything without knowing what the Jets are offering in terms of the guaranteed portion of his contract. Because NFL contracts aren’t fully guaranteed, players make most of their money through bonuses. It would make sense if the guaranteed portion of his contract were the sticking point in the discussions.

But Revis should feel fortunate that the Jets are offering him anything (let alone $122 million) considering he has three years remaining on his current contract. Revis is a great player, but $162 million? How does he expect the Jets to compete on a consistent basis if they paid him $162 million over the next 10 years? Talk about future salary cap hell.

The Jets are doing the smart thing by not only not giving into Revis’ demands, but also taking the time to reward other players that are willing to sign (i.e. D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, who is reportedly close to receiving a new deal). If Revis doesn’t want to play for $122 million, then he can sit out and the Jets can make due with what they currently have on their roster.

It’s as simple as that.