A few weeks ago, I was talking to my brother about the "Kerry Rhodes welcomes Braylon Edwards video" on NFL.com. He pointed out that KR and BE have a very telling exchange in the video about what Rex's practices are like: Start listening at 3:00 on the video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey/09000d5d8134b568/Super-Bowl-Journey-Rhodes-house BE: What's the tempo of y'all's practices? KR: We chill. BE: OK. KR: He don't - he don't put no (pressure on?) like Mangini - If you ain't practicing you're over on the bike or doing some other stuff, (KR waves his hand in disgust) with him if you're hurting . . . but with him if you're a playa, you chill. I think that Rhodes was not just speaking about what happens when you are hurt during the week when he said, "if you're a playa, you chill." I think he means more generally that Rex does not put a lot of pressure on his starters, as Mangini did. I won't overstate the case here, but is it possible that Rhodes - with all of his off the field interests - has been allowed to get away with not preparing as well as he should because Rex's practice philosophy is that "if you're a playa, you chill." Thoughts?
Good pick up. I think that based on the teams sloppy play and untimely mistakes you would assume that this is the case. This is the problem with a players coach. Other coaches have made the change from a players coach to a disciplinarian before so hopefully his benching is a sign. Perhaps Rex's call to Parcells did some good.
Great pickup. I think the vibe has been misconstrued by Rhodes. Do you think Ed Reed and Ray Lewis were 'chillin'. I doubt it. I think Rex trusts (maybe its misguided) but he trusts the 'playas' to prepare because they are professionals. You can bet that Scott (even though his impact has not been in the highlight reel type plays) Harris , Revis, Ellis, are all doing the little things on their own to get ready after hours. Rhodes you can tell its not happening. I'm disgusted with a player who has allowed his own shit to get to his head and he actually believes it. Sit him on the bench for two weeks until you start to see him prepare better.
I'm going to go out on a limb here....Rhodes probably meant to say: "Y'all get yo benjamins, ya chill"
I think you nailed it. Here's Rhodes telling Edwards that basically, once you've reached the top, the pressure's off, unlike Mangini, who was an asshole in Rhodes' eyes. What pisses me off is the youngster, Mark Sanchez, sitting there, probably absorbing some of this horseshit. The message to Sanchez: "You've arrived. Time to chill at practice now." Rhodes has gotten so full of himself I'm not sure he's ever going to come down off of his own high.
At first I was thinking, "Here we go another Rhodes thread" but I have to say great listening skills there. This shines some light on the Rex Ryan mentality and confirms some thoughts that have already been out there. No doubt he's too easy on these guys.
Maybe all the preparation all summer paid off in early wins and then the lack of preparation since then has caused the collapse? No idea, but I'm pretty sure the Jets are playing as sloppy football as I've seen them play since Rich Kotite was in town, and I'm not just talking about Mark Sanchez either, the false starts have become ridiculous lately.
Thanks, but my brother should get the credit. When he told me that I thought he must have misheard what Rhodes said, but I think that if you listen and watch, it doesn't sound like KR thinks that he has to work to improve during practices. And the above point about Rex being a "players' coach" is probably right, and it may also have to do with not having a Ray Lewis on the team, who controls the locker room.
Rex Ryan has said from the beginning that he isn't going to treat men like children. He's not going to hold their hands and tell them the things they could be doing and what should doing. Mainly, because he expects all of them to be professional. You get paid to play football, therefore you should practice right, prepare right and train right. The players love this about him and it's been an environment that has worked well in Baltimore. I don't think it's Ryan's philosophy here that needs to be second guessed, I think it's some of the players who couldn't deal with the amount of freedom they were given to do the right thing on their own after Mangini left. Rhodes is one of those players that needs someone on his ass 24/7, while Leonhard knows what it takes to be ready for every game week-in and week-out.
So, if I understand the policy right, now that Kerry's no longer "a playa" he'll have to start practicing and cut down on the chillin'? Is that about right?
However...Rhodes decline began under Mangini last season. His lack of production pre-dates Rex's arrival. I believe it has more to do with him losing focus after getting the big contract.
Perfect quote for Kerry Rhodes would have come from Herb Brooks... "You dont have enough talent to win on talent alone"
"but with him if you're a playa, you chill." Maybe somebody forwarded Rex Ryan that statement. I hope they did or I hope someone does now, because if I was Ryan, that one statement alone would be enough to blow my stack.
Kerry must be the type of player who needs discipline and guidance. Not everyone can be treated like an adult and expected to be responsible. Everyone is motivated differently and knowing how to get the best out of different types of people is a key coaching skill. I'm glad that Rex recognized he needed to do something but wonder if he waited too long?
Its tits like Rhodes that make you really not want to give a crap about football - why should you invest anything financially or emotionally to support a bunch of conceited lazy pricks? Much as I support the "team", I struggle to think of any individual Jets players I really like from what I see/hear from them. I wish we still had someone with the stature of Curtis Martin playing for us.
I bet....no, i guarantee you....if the Jets signed Ray Lewis last offseason....Rhodes wouldn't be pulling these bullshit laxadaisical efforts week in and week out. Don't get me wrong....I'm not saying we should go out and get him....but a veteran presence with a loud voice is what this lockeroom needs. I thought Rex Ryan's personality would facilitate discipline while still treating the players like men...much like Mike "Pull down my pants and take a look" Singletary's personality. We're finding out otherwise.
Well said. I think Thomas Jones is a nice replacement for Curtis Martin. Both are/were workhorses, both lead by example, and when both of them speak (which isn't often) everyone listened. I do believe we are missing that on the defensive side. I thought Scott or Leonard would be that person. Harris had his tongue cut out but one would think his work ethic would be enough of "leading by example". Apparently KR hasn't gotten the memo...
