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The Browns apparently have strong interest in acquiring Tampa Bay cornerback Darrelle Revis.

(AP)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are showing ''significant'' interest in trading for Tampa Bay Bucs cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to Ian Rapoport of nflnetwork.

Revis, 28, played for Browns coach Mike Pettine for four seasons when Pettine was defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.

Revis made three of his five Pro Bowls when Pettine was his defensive coordinator.

The Bucs signed free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner to a four-year deal worth $26.5 million on Tuesday, meaning Revis is on his way out one way or the other.

The Bucs are trying to trade Revis or restructure his contract. If they can't do either, they're likely to cut him by Wednesday at 4 p.m., when he's due a $1.5 million roster bonus.

Revis (5-11, 198) and fellow cornerback Joe Haden would give the the Browns the best cornerback tandem in the NFL and enable Pettine to run is press man-cover scheme effectively.

Revis, who sat out of most of 2012 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, was traded to the Bucs last season and signed to a six-year deal through 2018 worth $96 million. He's due to make $13 million in 2014, but his base salary can be converted into a signing bonus and spread out over the life of the contract.

Cornerback is a high priority for the Browns in free agency, a league source told cleveland.com.

In addition to being arguably the best shutdown corner in the NFL, "Revis Island'' would help set the tone for Pettine's new defensive scheme and provide locker room leadership.