Wilson grateful to be Revis' protege

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis doesn't plan on playing the role of Edward Scissorhands, plopping Kyle Wilson down in a seat and breaking out a huge pair of shears.

Still, the Jets' All-Pro cornerback is campaigning for Wilson to get rid of his Bob Marley look, poking fun at Wilson as much as possible until he relents and cuts off his flowing dreadlocks.

"I'm trying to get him to cut it," Revis said Tuesday. "I hope he walks in here one morning with it all cut off. And then I'm going to be like, 'Why did you do that?' Then I'm going to make sure all the blame is on him."

It certainly wouldn't be the first time Wilson's name was attached to some blame. The second-year cornerback's rookie season had more than its share of twists and turns, causing some to question his ability. But Revis has taken Wilson under his wing like a wounded bird, doing his best to try to get him to fly again in the way that made him a first-round pick.

Basically, the two will be inseparable this season, with Revis taking on a mentor role for the 5-10, 190-pounder. Case in point: Revis had equipment manager Gus Granneman move Wilson's locker from across the room directly next to his.

"That's cool," Wilson said. "I was in the back-corner section. There wasn't too much going on over there, you know?"

"We are like Siamese twins," Revis said. "We've got a big-brother, little-brother thing going on, which is great. I'm just happy to be in the position that I am to be a veteran guy and help guys. That's being a leader on this team, trying to help guys be where they need to be as a player. Kyle, he's doing what he needs to do. He's responding great.

"You can tell his level of play has stepped up, his maturity has stepped up and I feel that he's going to be ready to go."

Wilson began his rookie season as the Jets' nickel back but struggled in coverage and racked up critical penalties. He lost confidence and eventually dropped below Drew Coleman on the depth chart. A slow ascent back to respectability at the end of the season did little to quell the negative perceptions.

"It's a little overblown that he had a quote-unquote bad year last year," defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. "Yeah, it was a rookie year, he had some struggles early. His bounce back I thought occurred during the season. Late in the year, he played some good football for us. I think the biggest issue for him getting back on the field was Drew Coleman was playing at such a high level that it was hard to get Kyle back out there."

Knowing this was going to be a big season for Wilson, Revis flew him to Arizona in May, working with him on improving his technique and refining some things he picked up at Boise State. The Jets think there's already a noticeable difference.

"He has his confidence," Antonio Cromartie said. "That's the biggest thing."

Thanks in part to Revis, though Wilson knows it all boils down to one person -- himself.

"I appreciate it," Wilson said. "But ultimately, it's something that just needed to happen. It goes back to me doing everything I can just to be the best player I can be, and that's all I'm worried about. I appreciate the help, but that still goes back to my coaching, and just playing more comfortable and knowing what's going on. And ultimately, that all depends on me."