Revis' holdout was blessing in disguise for Wilson

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Kyle Wilson finally can exhale.

No longer does the weight of Darrelle Revis' absence rest on his shoulders. Nor does the rookie have to worry about being unable to live up to his predecessor's success.

Now that the Jets officially have signed their All-Pro cornerback to a new four-year deal, Wilson will slide back into his intended position - nickel cornerback - and be used when opponents feature a three-wideout package. He'll also handle punt returns.

"Definitely glad to have him back," said Wilson, who signed a five-year, $13-million contract. "Definitely happy for him."

Wilson, 23, and the rest of the defensive backs were moved up the depth chart during Revis' holdout, which began Aug. 1. But now that the Jets' best defensive player is back, the team can go back to its original plans involving Wilson, Antonio Cromartie, Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman.

Cromartie, who moved over to left corner, will shift back to his natural side of the field, where he will be matched up with No. 2 receivers.

Wilson joked that he won't give up his starting spot to Revis without a fight. "We'll duke it out before we go to practice tomorrow," he said with a smile.

Though Wilson may be somewhat relieved that some pressure is off him, his experience playing with the first team and preparing as if he would be a starting cornerback will pay off down the road, coach Rex Ryan believes.

"I will say this, there was a positive out of Darrelle not being here,'' Ryan said Monday, "and that was getting Kyle ready to go and getting Cromartie up to where he could play left corner and right corner and feel good about that. There was a benefit that way. Lowery playing inside, outside, safety, all over the place."

Added linebacker Bart Scott: "[Revis] allows us to open up our playbook a little bit. That was a lot of pressure to put on the young rookie, but I think he gained tremendous experience. He prepared like he was going to be the starter. Now we can slide him at nickel and he's prepared. He's been on the big stage. He's been out with the ones. We had the communication down with him. I think it's going to help us out a lot."

Though his starting cornerback spot has been taken away, Wilson seemed relieved that the media attention won't be focused on him anymore.

"All the cameras will be on him," he said of Revis. "So I'll be cool for a little while."