So far this season the Jets have faced a couple of elite receivers, but they have yet to go up against a fully functional and dangerous passing attack... well, this week they're not only going to get it, but it's going to be the most difficult they face all year. Kerry Rhodes has largely been incognito this season, his best game coming against the Patriots who sure enough are the best passing team we've faced up until this point. A lot of people speculated that Rhodes would fill the "Ed Reed" role in Rex Ryan's defense. While I doubt anyone thinks he'll play to Ed Reed's level, I don't think he's really come even close to this point. Every week a different player seems to step up and make a tremendous difference for the Jets and help them find a way to win. This game may very well be one of the hardest games the Jets face this year, and may very well be the first L they post on their record... I think if any player is going to be in a position this week to step up and make enough of a difference to give the Jets a shot at winning this one - it's Kerry Rhodes. Kerry Rhodes is known as a ballhawk at safety... it's time for him to prove that this perception is correct. We know he's very rangy and capable of closing distances very fast... it's time he uses that speed and ability to pick off passes and change the momentum of the game. While the Titans ultimately flopped in the passing game, in part due to the pressure being placed on Collins, we still gave them opportunities to move the ball through the air. The Jets can not win on Sunday if they allow Brees to do the same. While I expect the pass rush to be there in Brees face all game long, this week more than ever the Secondary is going to need to lend a hand. Kerry Rhodes - this is your time to shine buddy. This is your time to prove that you're an elite safety in the NFL. Make us proud.
Man, I've been waiting a while for Kerry to be the ballhawk that was promised a few years ago. My problems with his game haven't been his speed or instincts, it has been his timing when he's making a play on the ball. He did make a heads-up play batting the ball into Moss's face on the deflection in the EZ against the Pats, and he's done well putting pressure on the QB in blitz packages, but he has shown a disappointing tendency to get over-aggressive coming in on a double for support and practically taking the assigned corner out of the play because of it. This weekend will certainly be a huge test for 25.
My thought exactly! Kerry shined his first two years and just kind of blended into the back round. Now he has the opportunity to silence his detractors and make a god damn pro bowl. I love players who put themselves out there with trash talk , but its important to back that up and just maintain in a game. Its a time for you to put your stamp on it. Can he ? Will he?
Have you seen any big passes down the field? Kerry has been doing his job. He has had a couple close INT encounters this season. If David Harris wasn't there, the INT was Rhodes'. Look on the replay. He is doing good, I would not say incognito.
I'm not so much ripping on what he's done as saying this is a game where he if he steps up it can make a tremendous difference in winning this one... far more than the past 3 games.
Every single player can make a big difference, nice post but I think there should never be a specific focus on one player specially the defensive side, defensive works as a group and are defense has been great but still needs some improvement and I agree Kerry Rhodes needs to improve. Revis vs Marques will be a hell of a match-up.
I have no issues with the play of Rhodes this year. HE hasn't made the huge play yet, but he has made a solid contibution to the effectiveness of the defense. Maybe the big play will come this weekend.
I wish you could put Jim Leonhard's toughness into Kerry Rhodes' body. Kerry Rhodes is athletic, can cover pretty well, and is good at blitzing, but he can't hit or tackle for shit. He avoids contact whenever possible, unless it's with a corner back on our team (like abyzmul said). When Revis picked off the Brady pass, Rhodes was headed for contact with Revis. Luckily, Revis makde the play before Rhodes got there.
I distinctly remember he covering over the top on the Moss interception. And he was in Kerry Collins face 3 times on safety blitzes.
He also had a nice deflection against Tennessee. This defense is not going to always have your best players making plays. I think a lot of times it's pressure or a coverage by your better players and forcing the opposing team to make a mistake by throwing it towards someone else that is going to result in big plays.
