Trading for Revis would be huge mistake

I'm trying my hardest not to overreact here, and for the most part I think I'm doing a decent job.

Veldheer likely to Arizona?

(Deeeeep breath)

Houston pursued by Chicago?

(Deeeeeeep breath)

Saffold to Oakland for more than Veldheer could make?

(Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breath)

Oakland potential trading partner for Revis?

Whaaaaa?!

Look, I can handle losing Veldheer and Houston if they get overpaid somewhere else, or if Reggie wants to blow everything up and create a new culture, or if those two guys want nothing to do with Oakland. I get it (or at least can pretend I do).

But trading for Revis and his $16 million contract when he's on the verge of becoming a free agent otherwise?

I have to draw the line somewhere.

This isn't anything personal with Revis, in fact, I would love to have him on the roster for next season. LOVE — but not if it involves inheriting a ridiculous contract (even if we can afford it) and sending a mid-round draft pick out (when we can't afford it).

As Steve Corkran pointed out, the money Revis would be making if his contract stayed in tact would be the amount Oakland could have (theoretically) paid to keep both Houston and Veldheer. On the flip side, many would argue — why not all three? Oakland has tons of money, who cares if Revis makes $16 million?

Have you seen Oakland's current roster?

The reason they have so much money is because they lack competent NFL players at just about every position. They have one decent safety, one decent corner (hopefully), zero decent defensive linemen, a few decent offensive linemen, a few decent receivers, no decent running backs and no decent quarterbacks. Spending $16 million on one player means way less money to go around for the rest of those holes — not to mention losing a valuable draft pick as well.

I'm willing to be patient with Reggie, to give him a year to sort this out now that he has money. I'm fine with trusting him if it means replacing Houston and Veldheer, but making a trade like this would scream desperation — something he has avoided ever since coming to Oakland.

Why not let him hit free agency and overpay him to come to Oakland? You'll still pay less than the $16 million he has now, you can sign him to a cheaper long-term deal and you save a pick!

The question for Reggie while considering a trade like this is simple: are you really willing to go all in on a guy like Darrelle Revis? Because the last guy who did is currently looking for work.

UPDATE:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Raiders&amp;src=hash">#Raiders</a> are now all but out of Darrelle Revis sweepstakes. He didn’t want to restructure. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bucs&amp;src=hash">#Bucs</a> have until Wed. to trade him</p>&mdash; Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) <a href="https://twitter.com/VicTafur/statuses/443490319972040704">March 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
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