Will Sullivan, Darrelle Revis' trainer and defensive backs coach, carved out time during Revis' recovery process specifically to keep the star cornerback in good spirits.
Rehabilitation from a torn ACL is often mundane, consisting of the same exercises on repeat while the body starves to sprint and cut again. Sullivan, who has mentored Revis throughout his entire career, made sure he was quick with a joke or dig in order to break up the long hours.
But he was also able to lean on another positive: Football-related activities are not too far away. Sullivan hopes to get Revis out on the field in less than two months.
"For me, I think I'm thumbs up in April, I'm going to get the green light in April," Sullivan told The Star-Ledger in a recent phone interview. "The great thing is, there's been no setbacks, it's been a great surgery, he's doing the right things -- he hasn't done too much, he hasn't done too little. He's doing just enough to make sure he's cooperating with the doctor and physical therapist.
"Once I get the green light in April it's time to go hit it hard on the field, so I have to make sure we hit it in a progressive manner ... with him I have to start off with level one. It's all about how he graduates from program to program."
Sullivan said that even before cutting and stopping, Revis will undergo a conditioning period.
"You gotta be careful with him because you've got a history of bad hamstrings." Sullivan said. "I remember when, I think when he was at Pitt and training for the draft, we were running around and it doesn't take much for him to start straining that hamstring. And so I know for him, you always want to start off with the aerobic approach."
Sullivan said the aerobic approach consists of more short-distance sprints, anywhere between 10-25 yard sprints with a short rest time.
During both of Revis' holdouts, Sullivan acquired a copy of the Jets practice schedule and had Revis follow the regiment as closely as possible while wearing a helmet and shoulder pads.
He's taking that exact approach to the rehab process as well, making sure that when camp starts, Revis will be at the same place physically as he would be in any other season.
"We're going to make sure when camp starts he's going to be in condition," Sullivan said.
Sullivan works closely with Brett Fischer, who runs the complex in Arizona that Revis trains at during the offseason. Fischer has been and will be in charge of the rehab up until he gives the green light to Sullivan.
The team in Arizona has had weekly conversations with the Jets to update them on progress, Sullivan said.
Brett is "pretty darn good at making sure at making sure they come back well balanced. Typically, the leg they didn't hurt is the one that's weaker," Sullivan said. "Everything during this time has been pushing off the leg or strengthening the leg that's been injured and the other leg doesn't get a lot of work."
With a documentary crew filming the process -- which is Revis' first major surgery -- coupled with Revis' self-imposed expectations about his return, Sullivan said the entire team is rallying around the recovery.
"It's a challenge for us and I'm excited to be honest with you," he said. "I've dealt with several DBs in the past who have had these types of injuries. You have to be able to give them confidence to conquer the mental battle and the mental obstacles. You forget, this is his first time under the knife. Most pro football players, within their first five years, have had some type of surgery."
Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com; twitter.com/ConorTOrr
Source: http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/02/darrelle_revis_trainer_hopes_t.html
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