Bears say they won't avoid traveling to Revis Island

New York Jets opponents have known for some time now that it doesn't pay to throw the ball in the direction of all-pro Darrelle Revis, widely considered the best cover cornerback in the NFL.

The 2007 first-round draft pick made the Pro Bowl each of the previous two seasons, when he had a combined 11 interceptions even with quarterbacks hesitant to challenge him.

The 5-foot-11, 198-pound, 25-year-old doesn't have any interceptions this season, but it's interesting to consider the puny numbers that elite wide receivers have posted against him.

The Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson, who has 73 receptions for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns, caught 1 pass for 13 yards against Revis on Nov. 7.

The Cincinnati Bengals' Terrell Owens, who caught 72 passes for 983 yards and 9 touchdowns before a knee injury ended his season last week, caught 3 passes for 17 yards when Revis was on him Nov. 25.

The Houston Texans' Andre Johnson, who has 86 catches for 1,216 yards and 8 scores, caught 4 passes for 32 yards against Revis on Nov. 21.

None of them caught a TD pass on Revis Island, where wide receivers go to die.

Still, the Bears (10-4) say they cannot simply concede one side of the field or admit they can't make plays in the vicinity of the Jets' shutdown corner Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.

“You can't assume that,” Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. “We've got good receivers, and we trust the guys. (The Jets) are going to play man-to-man, and we'll tell those guys they're going to have to get open. Whatever it takes, we're going to have to find a way to complete balls.

“You can't eliminate one side of the field. It's too hard to do. It gives them too much of an advantage. So Johnny (Knox) and Devin (Hester) and those guys are going to have to find a way.”

It's not as if it's easy pickings on the other side of the field, where the Jets' 6-foot-2, 210-pound cornerback Antonio Cromartie has team bests with 3 interceptions and 17 pass breakups.

While the Jets (10-4) are last in the NFL in interception percentage, they are No. 9 in passing yards allowed, No. 4 in average gain per pass allowed and No. 9 in sack percentage.

“We'll be able to see how far we've come as receivers, going against one of the elite corners in the league,” Hester said. “With Cromartie as well. He's a great corner, too, so it's a big challenge for our receivers to find out how far along we are.”

The Bears' diversity in the passing game can be an advantage against a dominant corner like Revis because they don't depend on just one go-to guy.

In the past four games, three different players — Knox, Earl Bennett and Hester — have led the team in receiving yards.

Those three, plus running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen, all have had weeks in which they led the team in receptions. Those five each have between 35 and 47 receptions this season, and they each have 3-5 touchdown catches.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz will not shy away from Revis, but he will proceed with caution when attacking Revis Island.

“You have to be careful in how you approach it,” Martz said. “It doesn't mean you don't do it; you just have to be careful in how you're going to do it and give your guys the best opportunity for success.

“He's very consistent, very, very, very confident in his skills and does not overreact. He is as good as I have seen in many years. But that doesn't mean that you don't create opportunities over there, too.

“It's a terrific challenge for our guys, there's no question.”

ŸFollow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials, at dailyherald.com.