The Anquan Boldin trade puts this deal in perspective. The Cardinals received Baltimore’s 3rd and 4th round picks (Arizona shipped its 5th rounder to Baltimore as well) for Boldin, a much better and more consistent player than Rhodes. The trade also involved a wide receiver, a position with more inherent value than safety.
The Jets were fortunate to get something for Rhodes. His play this season left me wondering if they would be able to generate any interest in a player who seemed more concerned with his celebrity status than his play on the field.
This move is no surprise to Jets Nation. At 6-3, 215 Rhodes has prototypical size and the athletic ability to make plays all over the field but he was producing those plays with less regularity and his lack of commitment landed him in Rex Ryan’s doghouse.
Rhodes is not very instinctive in coverage and is often slow to react to balls thrown to his zone. Almost every Jets’ defender stepped up his game under Rex Ryan but not Rhodes.
He failed to show the necessary toughness needed in this scheme and in the end it was his undoing. The play that would come to define his season occurred in week 13 against Buffalo.
At the beginning of the second quarter the Bills ran Marshawn Lynch off left tackle for a big, 35-yard gain. Toward the end of the run, Rhodes had Lynch in his sights while Revis was trying to wrestle him to the ground. Rhodes chose to nudge the running back with his shoulder rather than laying a big hit on him. He barely made contact and Lynch picked up another five yards as a result.
The yardage was not nearly as damaging as the realization that Rhodes was simply a guy who did not like to get his uniform dirty. He lacked the aggressiveness to punish ball carriers and that was not going to fly with Ryan.
Rhodes did not produce a big play until week 12 against Carolina when he pulled down two interceptions but his improved play only came after being benched earlier in the week. The fact that he was not a self-motivating player concerned the coaching staff.
He did not get along with Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine and his situation worsened after some ill-advised tweets. He stated that other teams would appreciate him more and his comments angered the Jets’ brass.
Rhodes’ best season was 2006 when he produced 98 tackles (75 solo), 4 interceptions, 5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles but just as he was starting to get some Pro Bowl buzz, his numbers started to level off.
He started to spend more time attending celebrity events and rubbing elbows with recording artists. His image became his primary concern and his actions on the field exemplified that. His play improved after his benching but he often he seemed more interested in his celebrations than completing the play.
Against San Diego, he came off the edge unblocked and sacked Phillip Rivers. He forced a fumble but rather than chasing down the ball, he jumped up to celebrate. He ran toward the sideline and stopped abruptly so he could be admired. A Chargers lineman jumped on the loose ball.
The Jets need a finisher, not someone eager to pose for the cameras. Rhodes is now on the west coast, closer to the Hollywood scene he seems to crave.
The Jets now have a hole to fill at free safety. Eric Smith has become a nice complementary player but he is better suited to a back up role.
The Jets are rumored to be interested in Dawan Landry but he is a restricted free agent who received a second round tender. Rex Ryan helped develop him in Baltimore but a second round pick might be too rich a price for him.
Safety is a pretty deep position in this year’s draft and the Jets should be able to grab one without reaching with their 29th overall pick. One player to keep an eye on is Earl Thomas from Texas.
He is undersized at 5-11, 198 but plays bigger than his measurables. He is a tough, hard-nosed player who has good range and instincts.
He was very productive at Texas but his lack of size may force him to drop. He could be sitting there when the Jets are on the clock at 29.
Another prospect already being linked to the Jets is Taylor Mays from USC. He is a guy loaded with athletic ability but someone who did not always translate that ability to the field.
I love Mays’ toughness – he frequently came up with highlight reel hits but was routinely caught out of position in coverage, which makes him a boom or bust type prospect. If he can be coached up, he has the potential to be an impact player but that is a big “if”. Based on his play at USC, using a first round pick on him would be a reach.
Kerry Rhodes never fit into Rex Ryan’s scheme. He lacked the toughness, instincts, and drive to be a consistent contributor and his self-promoting ways were a bad fit with the Jets’ team concept.
The Jets will be better off without him. They now have a chance to solidify their back end with a player who has the aggressiveness and coverage ability needed at the safety position.