The New England Patriots enter the 2014-15 season as one of the favorites to win the AFC. Winning the division is one thing, but this team has their sights set on the Lombardi Trophy. The biggest addition they made was signing free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis.

After five memorable years with the New York Jets, Revis only played two games in 2012 because of a torn ACL. He then found himself with the Tampa bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately, his time with the Buccaneers didn't last long because they ran a zone defensive scheme, and Revis succeeds in a man-to-man coverage system. Eventually, the Buccaneers released Revis, and the Patriots signed him.

Revis recently said, at Patriots training camp, he was in the best shape of his career.

The Patriots have been in desperate need of an improved defense for quite some time. They've failed to have a defensive unit rank in the top 24 over the last four consecutive seasons. Last season, the Patriots defense ranked No. 26 overall. If the Patriots are going to compete and win meaningful playoff games, a much improved defense is going to have to show up.

Revis is only 29 years old, and the Patriots know how good he can be. They played against him twice every year while he was a Jet in the AFC East. The Patriots and Revis agreed to a one year deal that has a second year "option" for Revis if he wants to return in 2015.

Even when Revis is not intercepting opposing quarterbacks, he is still making a big difference. Revis (when healthy) can shutdown any wide receiver in the NFL and prohibits big plays from occurring. This also allows other corners and secondary players to focus on other wide receivers and tight ends instead of double teaming the opposition. Revis isn't an "in your face" corner like Richard Sherman, but he can play like him.

New England also made the decision to bring in former Seattle Seahawks corner Brandon Browner. Browner is still a huge question mark because of his injuries and playing time. If Browner and Revis can play up to their potential, this defense can finally play average. Of course, the bottom and middle defense led by Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo will have to show up as well.

Revis did play and start all 16 games for the Buccaneers last season, but he has said multiple times that he wasn't fully healthy. That combined with the fact that the two sides couldn't agree with how to run a defense resulted in just a one year period for Revis in Tampa Bay. Never before has Revis put so much stress on winning before the season began.

The biggest obstacle for the Patriots and Revis next season will be the Denver Broncos, who won the AFC. The Broncos eliminated the Patriots from the playoffs after defeating them in the AFC Championship game as their defense was unable to contain Peyton Manning. Since the Patriots lost Aqib Talib, they will need Revis to return to his old form in order to stop the high power Broncos offense.

Only time will tell how good this Patriots defense will be. Revis knows he has to play great against the best quarterbacks and teams to be considered an all-time great, and this will be his best chance yet.

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