Calvin Pace has described the New York Jets' decision to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as "disheartening".
The Jets acquired the Bucs' first-round Draft pick in exchange for the 27-year-old, who missed most of last season with a knee ligament injury.
The linebacker told the New York Post: "I was disappointed. I consider Revis a friend since the day I got here, and I watched him grow into what I feel is the best corner in the NFL. To not have that, it was kind of disheartening.
"But that's the way of our business, you see them go and you wish them well. I just hope he doesn't have a good game against us week one. It's a good situation for him. I'm sad to see him go but happy for him.
"The truth is, when stuff is leaked or rumored, most times it's going to happen. I'm not going to sit here and put pressure on [rookie] Sheldon [Richardson] or anybody else. The jury is out on how our side of the deal worked out."
The Buccaneers will play the Jets in the first week of the 2013 season.