"We're going to prepare like he's not going to be here," coach Rex Ryan said Monday after the morning practice. "If he comes through the door, that's fine. Somebody will kiss him on the lips, probably. But the guys that are here, those are the guys we're getting ready for the season."
It was the first time that Ryan acknowledged the possibility of an extended absence by Revis, whose holdout has reached nine days. The two sides are trying to negotiate a new contract for Revis, who has three years remaining on his current deal, but they appear far apart.
On Friday, general manager Mike Tannenbaum met with Revis' agents at a remote location, a famous diner in Roscoe, N.Y. -- about two hours from Cortland. The agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, presented an offer to Tannenbaum. They are awaiting his response. Schwartz says the crew from "Hard Knocks" asked to attend the meeting, but they declined.
Tuesday could be a key date in the stalemate. By rule, if a holdout doesn't report by Aug. 10, he doesn't get credit for 2010 as an accrued season. Basically, that means the player has to wait another year before he qualifies for free agency.
That might cause some players to re-consider their stance, but the Aug. 10 deadline will have no bearing on Revis' thinking, according to sources close to the Jets' star. As one source said, "He's dug in."
A week ago, Ryan said Revis would be in the starting lineup even if he didn't show up until the eve of the regular-season opener. But he backed off on that, saying he was talking "facetiously."
As a contingency plan, the Jets have tweaked their secondary, moving former San Diego Charger Antonio Cromartie to Revis' spot (left cornerback) and opening up the right-corner position to other candidates.
First-round draft pick Kyle Wilson, projected as the nickel back, is working with the first-team defense. He replaced Dwight Lowery, who, oddly enough, told the coaching staff that Wilson deserved to be in the starter's role.
In other news, outside linebacker Jason Taylor left practice with what Ryan described as a "slight" groin pull. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards (sore knee) also was limited. Wide receiver David Clowney returned to camp after missing the weekend due to personal reasons.
Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Guardado - I’m here to stayDarrelle Revis rejects New York Jets’ offer but will be at minicamp
