The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stole headlines last week as they traded their 2013 first-round pick and a future selection to the New York Jets to acquire Darrelle Revis, widely regarded as the top cornerback in the NFL. Despite having a long wait during the draft, Buccaneers fans were happy to welcome their new star, rather than wait for their selection.
2013 NFL draft: Darrelle Revis popular at Buccaneers draft party
Despite lacking a first-round pick, Bucs fans have plenty to cheer about, with the acquisition of the league’s best cornerback.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, fans surrounded Revis with cheers and well wishes:
“Good luck, Darrelle!” one fan shouted. “Reee-vus, Reee-vus, Reee-vus,” another chanted. “Revis Island comes to Tampa, baby,” a third chimed in.
While fans around the country are surrounding their TVs to see who their teams selected, the Buccaneers reveled on Revis Island. After choosing to part ways with troubled former first-round pick Aqib Talib, it was vital for Tampa Bay to find an elite cornerback to keep the Bucs competitive in the NFC South -- a division boasting some of the league's most potent passing attacks.
As the first round shapes up, both Dee Milliner and D.J. Hayden were off the board by the time Tampa Bay would have chosen. While Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes would have been a fine answer, he's not comparable to Revis. Buccaneers fans have plenty to cheer about on Thursday night, and now have a long wait until their second-round pick.
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