Thursday, April 25, 2013

Milliner believes he could effectively replace Revis

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Dee Milliner doesn't want to do what Darrelle Revis did with the New York Jets.

He wants to do more. (photo: Matt Valazquez, Flickr)

Gang Green is in the market for a cornerback after trading the All-World Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. The Jets received a first-round pick as part of their compensation, and that No. 13 overall choice -- or their other first-rounder, No. 9 overall -- could be spent on Revis's replacement.

Milliner thinks if the Jets acquire his services, they won't be sorry.

"I'm not trying to go in there and do what he did. I'll try to do what I can do and try to do more than what he did," the former Alabama defensive back said Wednesday, via ESPN New York.

"... I have to have confidence and faith in what I do. You have to have those. If I go out and try to reach the goal ... He's one of the best. If I try to do that, I can be one of the best, too."

Milliner is widely touted as the draft's top cornerback.

The Jets have plenty of holes to fill and are almost certain to go outside linebacker in the first round. However, what they do with their other first round pick has been a hot topic. Do they take receiver Tavon Austin if he's available? Tight end? A cornerback?

Whether they do it in the first round or elsewhere, the Jets need to bolster their secondary this week, definitely at safety and certainly at cornerback.

Antonio Cromartie is a true No. 1 corner, but Kyle Wilson, a former first-rounder who is currently slated opposite Cro, just isn't No. 2 material. He regularly finds himself chasing down receivers with his back to the ball.

Milliner tallied six interceptions in his college career and racked up 22 passes defensed last season alone during Alabama's National Championship campaign.

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