German_Force » We’re just concerned about our game.

Darrelle Revis officially shut down his dominant playing career by signing one final contract.

The seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback who routinely frustrated opposing receivers with his blanket-like coverage officially retired Tuesday as a member of the New York Jets – the team with which Revis spent eight of his 11 NFL seasons.

The 33-year-old Revis inked a one-day deal with the Jets at a ceremonial news conference at the team’s facility after he announced last Thursday on social media that he was done playing.

Former teammates Anthony Munoz Jersey , including D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and several current players attended, along with owner Christopher Johnson, general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles.

”It’s been amazing,” Revis said of his career. ”My work ethic and my study habits I feel propelled me to strive to be one of the greatest. It took a lot of work, week in and week out, to prepare and play at the highest level and covering some of the toughest receivers in the world.”

He was known for his uncanny ability to shut down receivers and the nickname ”Revis Island” grew in popularity as receivers were routinely left ”stranded” without being much of a factor in games because of the cornerback’s airtight coverage.

In a clever nod to the nickname, the Jets set up a makeshift ”island” outside of the facility’s main entrance, complete with sand dunes and three small palm trees and had Revis pose in front of it for photos.

The team also issued green lapel pins that read ”REVIS ISLAND” at the top with the Jets logo on the bottom and Revis’ familiar No. 24 featured in the middle in front of a small island.

”As I look at it now and as I take some time to really assess what I’ve done and what really happened, it’s amazing, it’s amazing,” Revis said. ”You leave a legacy behind that players can follow, they can mimic and they can study your film, too.”

Revis also gained notoriety for his business savvy at the bargaining table and made more than $120 million during his career.

He had several contract squabbles during his time with the Jets after being the No. 14 overall pick in 2007 out of Pittsburgh Braxton Miller Jersey , including a lengthy holdout that was documented on HBO’s ”Hard Knocks” in 2010. Led by then-agents Jon Feinsod and Neil Schwartz, mother Diana Gilbert and uncle Sean Gilbert, a former NFL defensive tackle, Team Revis was a force to be reckoned with.

After contentious contract negotiations in 2013, Revis was dealt to Tampa Bay for first- and fourth-round draft picks. He was a member of the Buccaneers for just one season before being released and signing with New England as a free agent – and winning the Super Bowl with the Jets’ biggest rival.

Revis became a free agent again, and returned home to the Jets by signing a five-year, $70 million contract, including $39 million guaranteed in 2015. After a solid first season back, Revis struggled with injuries and consistency in 2016 and was released. He finished up his career by playing in five games for Kansas City last season.

”I would’ve loved to play my whole career here and wear the green and white until I actually retired,” Revis said. ”Things happen. Team acquisitions come in and there’s a different direction a team may want to go. You know, it happens. It really does, and that’s kind of how I can sum that up.”

Revis finished with 29 career interceptions, and returned three for touchdowns, including one for 100 yards against Miami in 2011. He was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection Barry Church Jersey , including in what was his most dominant season in 2009, when he was beaten out by Charles Woodson for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

That was a rare time Revis lost out to anyone in his prime, especially that season. Randy Moss – whom Revis acknowledged was the toughest he ever covered – Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne all struggled against the Jets star.

”His dominance at the cornerback position is legendary,” Christopher Johnson said of Revis. ”Forget giving up the catch. We were all shocked when quarterbacks would dare to attempt a pass in his direction.”

Revis wouldn’t reveal specifically on what the future holds for him, but acknowledged that staying around the game in some capacity is likely – perhaps in a coaching role somewhere.

”It’s a love, it’s a passion for me,” Revis said of football. ”I’m surely going to miss it. … I’ll weigh my options and see.”

A trip to Canton, Ohio, and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame could also be on the agenda in the next five years or so.

”I accomplished a lot in my career and the assignments that I had to face during my career takes a lot of toll on your body, week in and week out,” Revis said of why he chose to retire now. ”Every day my purpose was not to just be the best at my position, but to be the best player on the field. That was my motivation.

”I came out to practice and tried to set a tone Matt Paradis Jersey , and game day, I tried to set a tone.”

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Philipp Grubauer will start Washington’s playoff opener against Columbus, the first Capitals goaltender not named Braden Holtby to start a postseason series since 2011.

The 26-year-old German started 10 of the final 16 games of the regular season, going 7-3-0 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Grubauer’s 2.06 GAA and .933 save percentage are the best among NHL goalies since Oct. 27.

”I just think that Grubi deserves the opportunity,” coach Barry Trotz said Tuesday, a day after telling Grubauer of his decision. ”It sort of evolved all year. There wasn’t a date or anything like that. It just evolved and Grubi got more games and a bigger body of work.”

Grubauer called it a privilege to start after spending the past three full seasons as the backup to Holtby, who won the 2016 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender. It could be a short-lived privilege if he struggles because Trotz said his decision is only for Game 1 on Thursday night and the Capitals are going ”game by game.”

The opener will be Grubauer’s second career start in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Grubauer started a game against the New York Islanders in the first round in 2015 when Holtby was sick and entered in relief once in 2017.

”It doesn’t change how we go about our business,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. ”We’re just concerned about our game.”

Grubauer led Windsor to the Ontario Hockey League title and won the Memorial Cup in 2010. He also helped Germany qualify for the 2018 Olympics. But it’s this recent stretch that gives him the most confidence going into the playoffs.

”It helps playing more and more,” Grubauer said. ”The more you get on the ice, the more experience you get. You see different situations and different teams. If you sit on the bench, you can get good from watching, but you’ve got to get the experience.”

He will likely see a lot of Columbus captain Nick Foligno, who is back after missing the final six games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Foligno gives the Blue Jackets some net-crashing presence and will be in and around the crease often.

”I honestly feel great,” Foligno said after centering Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson in practice on what is now the deep Blue Jackets’ third line. ”I’ve played this game long enough to know how you have to prepare during an injury to make sure you’re feeling good mentally and physically when you get back.”

Holtby has never sat on the bench for a Stanley Cup playoff game. Michal Neuvirth started all nine games for Washington in 2011 before injuries to him and Tomas Vokoun pressed Holtby into duty in 2012.

The 28-year-old has started 59 of the past 60 Capitals playoff games. But his struggles down the stretch – a 3.75 GAA and .886 save percentage in his final 17 appearances – cost him the ability to go into another postseason as the guy even after showing improvements following his four-game ”reset.”

Trotz said Holtby was a pro and told him: ”If you put me in the net Al Woods Jersey , my job is to stop the puck. If I get that opportunity, I’ll stop the puck.” He was similarly gracious after practice about the demotion.

”My job is just to focus on my game, getting it the best it can get to,” said Holtby, who closed the season 5-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .911 save percentage . ”Coach’s decision who plays or not doesn’t have anything to do with me. I’ll just focus one practice at a time, trying to be a positive influence around the team and go from there.”

Holtby said in March it was good to ”clear the team’s head with that kind of stigma that’s kind of going on with me in net.” With Holtby and Grubauer splitting time down the stretch, the Capitals won 12 of their 15 final games.

”I think we have two good goalies who can play,” defenseman Dmitry Orlov said. ”Grubi was good for us all season. It’s not easy to be second goalie and not play some games. You need to always be prepared in practice. I think he did a good job like a professional player, and I think he’s got confidence right now.”

NOTES: Capitals C Jay Beagle, who missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, did not practice Tuesday but skated afterward. Trotz is calling Beagle day-to-day. … Capitals RW T.J. Oshie said he feels great after resting a nagging lower-body injury and expects to be in the lineup for Game 1.

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AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed.

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