Despite loss, Revis upbeat about Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Amid sullen faces and stacks of cardboard boxes, Darrelle Revis spoke of a promising future.

Although the Jets fell one victory short of the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season, the All-Pro cornerback praised their run to the AFC Championship Game and expressed even more optimism about the future.

"I'm proud of being a part of this organization," Revis, a first-round pick in 2007, said Monday. "We made a lot of strides since I've been here, so it's great. We're doing the right things. We just got to get a little better in the things we do - coaching staff-wise, player-wise as well - and I think we'll be all right."

Through all the distractions - Revis' 36-day holdout during training camp, the Ines Sainz firestorm and Braylon Edwards' DWI - the Jets reminded anyone who would listen that they were built for a Super Bowl run this season. But they're not just a one-trick pony, Revis said; they're stacked with a talented core group capable of turning the Jets into a perennial AFC power.

"We did it the first year Rex [Ryan] got the head-coaching job and we did it with most of the guys that were here from the [Eric] Mangini team," he said. "So we just tried to add some more pieces this year to help us get over that AFC championship hump. And we failed again."

Revis, known for his honesty, couldn't pinpoint the cause of the Jets' sluggish first half in Sunday's 24-19 loss to Pittsburgh, which reached the Super Bowl for the third time in six seasons.

"You've got to be ready to play, man," he said. "You're one game away from the Super Bowl. Your passion, your confidence, everything, has to be out and be there for that game. If you come in that game flat or not ready to go, then the results will be negative."

Revis acknowledged the uncertainty about the roster, which features 17 free agents, including fellow cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The truth is, next season's Jets team will look much different, he said. But it's business.

"You wish you could have everybody back, but we all know the business and we know things happen," said Revis, who invited the secondary to accompany him to his third Pro Bowl Sunday in Hawaii.

"We're a tight group. The only thing we can do is talk to the guys and be friends with them for the rest of your life, if that's the case."