I have personally heard Rhodes talk about how he "took Revis under his wing" and all but takes credit for how good Revis is. Then he was bragging about the on-sides kick at SD. "Must have been a 41" vertical there." Problem is, he didn't catch the ball, he got his own rebound. I have had enough of this guy, and it sure looks like Ryan has too. Ryan's entire philosophy is about team. Rhodes' entire philosophy is about ME. He's gone. I'm guessing that Ryan and Rhodes agreed to persue trading him.
That "talent" shit flies in baseball where you can successfully gauge an individual's contribution to the team by their statistics. "Heart" is essentially meaningless. Unfortunately, statistics sometimes don't mean didly poo in football. And "heart" is quantifiable by how willing a person is to go the extra mile. Yes, Rhodes is talented, but unfortunately doesn't have the heart to scramble after the ball during a play, lay a hit where he needs to, or tackle and wrap up a 230 lb behemoth running at him at 14 mph. This is the problem. He can cover TEs, he's rangy enough not to get burned, but WRs don't fear him like they do, say, Polumalu or Reed. He doesn't play the run well and, imo, doesn't do enough film study to recognize sets that other teams are running. I don't blame him for these things. He's focused on his career after football, and rightfully so. He's a good looking guy and an articulate young man. But unfortunately he's not a football player, or at least one that fits in Ryan's system. I know safeties that can hit like a truck, but have no speed are a dime a dozen (Abe Elam, Eric Smith). But unfortunately you have to combine "heart" and "talent" to get a good football player. And we all know what Rhodes is severely lacking. The good news is that this is a deep draft for safety. So, bye Sherry.
LOL all you "guys" rooting for Kerry to go sure are going to be upset when he stays and gets his bonus. Numbers don't lie and he reached all his numbers and incentives this year. I mean shit, you guys are acting like the guy is VG or something (who by the way makes 10 TIMES what Kerry makes, so give me a break! It's obvious where the hate is coming from and it's NOT based on his play.
He could very well be gone, honestly at times hes more liable then reliable, this secondary needs players that don't give up big plays in the running and passing game, Rhodes just isn't the guy for this team, I think hes beginning to become a cancer, spreading his bullshit throughout the locker room, He def went Hollywood, and not to mention he's slow as shit at times, I hate when he doesn't finish a play instead he gets up and poses like an asshole
Now that reasonable posters are putting up their opinions, I can respond a little more clearly. I agree that Rhodes' production has been far below his talent level. And part of that is "heart" or lack thereof. My issue with many posters is this attitude that he just flat out can't play football, or that his personality is a detriment to the team, neither of which has ever been shown to be true. Any reasonable football fan knows Rhodes has talent. Does he use it to full potential? Not at all. I get frustrated by him too, people. I'm not just a blind Kerry loyalist. I'm curious to see if he can be fixed though, and if you can't replace him with an equal or more talented player, then you don't get rid of him. Period. Did we see much of Smith late in the year, especially in the playoffs? That's the guy this board was all lit up about. His "heart" and the "way he plays the game" had everyone thinking he was going to supplant Rhodes. Well, I saw Rhodes in the playoffs. He had 8 tackles on Sunday. Where was Eric Smith? You can't replace talent with heart. It's nice to have both, but I'll take talent over heart. FTR: Leonhard has heart, but he also has talent. He's just not a very big guy. If he were a few inches taller he'd be elite.
Enlighten us, where is the "hate" coming from? Curious as to your insight, considering that you've been on this site for no more than 26 days.
On Brandon Tierney today, he said he was texting Rhodes and Rhodes said he wants to be back and the Jets absolutely want him back. Take it for what its worth.
No question, Rhodes has as much talent as any safety in the NFL. But when he blows his assignments on a regular basis, plays with his head up his ass, avoids contact, constantly brags about how good he is, takes credit for Revis' develpoment and then mouths off on top of it... That flies in the face of everything Ryan is trying to build here. We can talk about it all we want to. Ryan made it obvious. He is NOT at all happy with Rhodes. Now, have they agreed to try and trade him? Did Ryan give him an ultimatum? After he was benched, it seems like that lesson didn't sink in one iota. I think he's gone. Getting traded may even be the best thing for Rhodes at this point. He has no concept of team. Bottom line, it's a damned shame. Rhodes could be very, very good. He's gone.
stuff that matters: stuff that doesn't matter imo: I just want to see a football player, I couldn't care less what he does off the field short of rape and molesting little boys.
There was a time I could see Rhodes in DC but with Shanahan there, I'm not sure that's a good fit at this point. He could wind up out west in SD. Him and Cromartie would make quite a pair of matadors in their secondary. Point being, I do think his time in NY is coming to an end. Especially with a uncapped year looming although I still think a deal will get done before TC. I just don't see the Owners and the PA going into 2010 without a CBA. A Lockout isn't beyond the realm of possibility either.
Yup. Dallas became a better team after they dumped Owens. Team chemistry. Putting team first and foremost. Ryan is trying to build a team first culture here. Owens, like Rhodes, put self in front of team. The yapping does matter. It affects team chemistry and culture. I think Ryan makes an example of Rhodes here. Team first, or there's the door. He said that in his press conference. It was directed at Rhodes. You think Rhodes' me first off field attitude doesn't carry over to practices and games? It sure does... and the example is Rhodes celebrating a sack, doing his little dance while the ball was on the ground in the SD game. That might have been the play that spells the end of Rhodes as a Jet.
