Kerry Rhodes News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

December 16

Arizona Republic

"Safety Kerry Rhodes is ready to play after missing two months because of a broken foot, but the Cardinals plan to ease the former starter back into action. "I don't think it's fair to throw him back in there after being out a number of weeks," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "See how he handles it, and progress him as that goes." Rhodes suffered the injury on Oct. 9 against the Vikings in Minnesota. He underwent surgery and was in a cast for several weeks. He returned to practice on a limited basis last week, but was inactive against the 49ers. It was the eighth game Rhodes had missed. Rhodes has participated fully in both practices this week. Rashad Johnson replaced Rhodes in the starting"

NFL should beware of unintended consequences

October 21

Arizona Republic

columnist Dan Bickley

"Doug Plank caused a lot of damage on the football field. He was the heat-seeking headhunter of his time, and to this day, he cautions his wife not to toss around their surname at public functions. Too often she'll meet people whose lives were touched by her husband. Like the ex-player whose ribs were so bruised that he couldn't sneeze for a year. "I'll tell you the one hit I'm not proud of," Plank said. "J.D. Hill, who graduated from Arizona State University, his career ended with the Lions because of a hit I administered to him at Soldier Field. "I came up from my safety spot, and hit him low. I basically ruined his career by rupturing his ligaments and tearing the cartilage in his"

Rhodes: Jets betrayed me

March 10

New York Post

"Kerry Rhodes had been uncharacteristically quiet since he was shipped to Arizona by the Jets for two draft picks on Saturday. The former Jets safety, who uses his Twitter account so frequently you might find him tweeting what he was having for breakfast on some days, hadn't weighed in on the trade until surfacing yesterday in a radio interview on 1050 ESPN. Rhodes, who clashed last season with defensive coaches Mike Pettine and Dennis Thurman, leading to the team unloading him, ripped the Jets. "Does [the trade] make sense? Evidently for them it did," Rhodes said sarcastically. "I can't say I agree with it and I'm not going to say I'm mad or sad about it." Rhodes accused the Jets' coaching"

Kerry Rhodes rips New York Jets, says ex-Ravens got attention

March 10

New York Daily News

"Former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, often criticized for his soft play, delivered his most jarring hit in a long time Tuesday - and it was directed at his old team. Rhodes blasted the Jets' coaches for not featuring him in the defense, suggesting they gave preferential treatment to former Ravens who were signed by Rex Ryan. He also accused the Jets of a smear campaign, claiming they spread falsehoods about his commitment to football. "To hear that stuff kind of bothers me, but I never let it be known until now," Rhodes said yesterday in an interview with Michael Kay on 1050 ESPN New York. Rhodes, who lost his starting job for two weeks after failing to make a single big play in the first 10"

Kerry Rhodes looks forward to fresh start with Cardinals

March 9

Arizona Republic

"On his first trip to his new home, Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes had no problem reading his keys. "On the plane coming in, I was looking out the window and I said, 'I am not in New York any more,' " Rhodes said Monday. "I saw the desert, never seen that before." After last season with the Jets, Rhodes needed a change. It came Saturday when the Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh in next year's for Rhodes, who started for five years for the Jets. The fifth year, however, was not a happy one. In the view of new coach Rex Ryan and his staff, Rhodes didn't play well and was benched in late November. Rhodes was out of the starting lineup for just two games,"

Ex-New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes happy to be with Arizona Cardinals

March 9

New York Daily News

"Former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, introduced Monday as the newest member of the Cardinals, acknowledged problems with his old coaches and suspected he might get traded. "We weren't seeing eye to eye as a player and a franchise," said Rhodes, who was dealt Saturday for two draft picks. "I've got a lot of respect for those guys ... but we just didn't mesh well at the end of the journey." Rhodes, demoted late in the season, said "it was a little rocky" during the stretch run. GM Mike Tannenbaum admitted there were "some bumps in the road," but insisted that wasn't the overriding reason for the trade."

Jets safety dealt to Arizona for two draft picks

March 7

New York Post

"Kerry Rhodes is a goner. File that in the "this should come as no surprise" department. The Jets told Rhodes to hit the road yesterday when they traded him to the Cardinals for a fourth-round pick in next month's draft and a seventh rounder in the 2011 draft. On Friday, these were Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum's words when asked about Rhodes: "We expect Kerry to be here . . . unless something changes. We expect Kerry to be here for the offseason program and to be with us next year and beyond." Based on those words, you may also file this development under the "never-believe-what-a-GM-says" department. The trade, which comes just one day after the Jets traded for Chargers cornerback"

Hit the Rhodes! New York Jets deal Kerry Rhodes to Arizona Cardinals

March 7

New York Daily News

"Continuing to remake their secondary, the Jets made another big trade, dealing safety Kerry Rhodes to the Cardinals Saturday night for two draft picks - a fourth-round choice in the upcoming draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011. The trade came two days after they acquired former Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers, and one day after GM Mike Tannenbaum said he expected Rhodes to remain on the team "unless something happens." Ostensibly, something happened Friday night, when the Cards lost free-agent safety Antrel Rolle to the Giants. In reality, the Jets decided long ago to deal Rhodes, who fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Rhodes, nicknamed "Hollywood" by his"

Jets Trade Kerry Rhodes to Arizona Cardinals

March 7

New York Times

"On Friday, Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said the Jets would pay a $2 million roster bonus next week to keep safety Kerry Rhodes on the team. Then he uttered the key words: "unless something happens." Something happened. On Saturday night, the Jets agreed in principle to trade Rhodes to the Arizona Cardinals, who needed a safety to fill the hole left by the departure of the Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle for the Giants. The Jets will receive a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011. Rhodes (6 feet 3 inches, 209 pounds) is bigger than Rolle (6 feet, 202), but is not a good tackler and struggles in coverage. Rolle went to the Pro Bowl last season, with 4"

Cardinals trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes

March 7

Arizona Republic

"The Cardinals filled their void at free safety Saturday, agreeing in principle on a trade for Jets safety Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes will replace Antrel Rolle, who signed a free-agent contract with the Giants on Friday. The Cardinals traded a fourth-round pick this year and a seventh-round choice in 2011 for Rhodes. Rhodes, 6-feet-3, 214 pounds, spent five years with Jets, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Louisville in 2005. Rhodes signed a 5-year, $33 million extension two years ago and is under contract through 2013. The Cardinals will pay him a $2 million roster bonus next week, but his salaries of $2.78 million (2010), $2.425 million, $3.5 million and $4.5 million are reasonable,"

Jets general manager says team will pay roster bonus and bring back the safety for 2010

March 6

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Safety Kerry Rhodes had been the subject of various trade rumors over the last few months. On Friday, New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum put all of the speculation to rest. Per Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger, Tannenbaum said that Rhodes will receive the $2 million roster bonus he is due on March 12 and will be back with the team next season. Rhodes was drafted by the Jets in 2005 and has spent all five years of his career in New York. He started 14 games for the Jets in 2009, recording 63 tackles (55 solo) and intercepting three passes."

Rhodes staying with Jets; Jones looking elsewhere

March 6

New York Post

"Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said today the team plans to pay Kerry Rhodes a $2 million roster bonus and the safety will be on the team this season. "We expect Kerry to be here and we expect him to be in the offseason program,'' Tannenbaum said. Tannenbaum, speaking on a conference call to discuss last night's trade for cormerback Antonio Cromartie, also addressed Thomas Jones' future."

Rhodes future with Jets 'up in the air

March 2

New York Daily News

(scroll down)

"S Kerry Rhodes recently tweeted that he had a "productive" lunch with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. That's not the way I'm hearing it. Methinks Rhodes' future still is a bit up in the air. He's due a $2 million roster bonus on March 12, and I'm still not convinced he's going to see that money. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jets look to trade him. Late in the season, Rhodes admitted he didn't see eye-to-eye with Pettine. The coaching staff wasn't satisfied with his commitment to football, and that contributed to his benching. To his credit, Rhodes made a concerted effort late in the season to win back the trust of his coaches, and his performance improved."

FOX reporter: Giants would be 'crazy' to swap Umenyiora for Rhodes

February 5

New York Post

"FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer said the possibility of a Kerry Rhodes-Osi Umenyiora trade is unthinkable from a Giants perspective. "I haven't heard anything about that," Glazer said on WFAN this morning. "But if I'm the Jets I'd take that, you kidding me? That's not going to happen, what are you crazy?" The Jets' Rhodes and Giants' Umenyiora were both relegated to limited roles during parts of the season. Rhodes was temporarily banished to the bench for not playing the tough style that head coach Rex Ryan had become accustomed to when he was with the Ravens. Umenyiora started the year at odds with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and ended it as a third-down blitz specialist after"

Jets safety Kerry Rhodes says he wants to be a Jet

January 28

Newark Star-Ledger

"news, stats, photos and more Breaking News, Must-See Sports Stories, Print edition stories, Reporters' blog » NY Jets safety Kerry Rhodes says he wants to be a Jet By Dave Hutchinson/The Star Ledger January 27, 2010, 5:33PM Kerry Rhodes smiling Jets fileWilliam Perlman/The Star-LedgerThere is concern that Kerry Rhodes, who likes to bring attention to himself and is called "Hollywood,'' may not fit in with the Jets. Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said Wednesday that he wants to be a Jet and he and coach Rex Ryan will talk once again in the coming weeks about his future. It was the first time since his benching in Week 12 that Rhodes said he wanted to return next season. But Rhodes also left open"

Bumpy Rhodes: Kerry says Jets future in doubt

January 28

New York Post

"Two days after coach Rex Ryan raised significant questions about whether Kerry Rhodes was wanted back by the Jets next season, Rhodes addressed the situation for the first time yesterday, though he left the issue rather cloudy. Appearing on SNY's "Wheelhouse" show, Rhodes said not only that Ryan wants him to remain a Jet but that he wants to stay. Nevertheless, Rhodes dropped several hints that it's no lock he will be back with the Jets. It's believed that Rhodes doesn't believe he will be back with the Jets. One moment he was saying he enjoys being a Jet. "Rex Ryan is my guy. I like Rex a lot," Rhodes said. "We get along. We're great friends. He called me [yesterday] and reiterated again"

Safety Kerry Rhodes could stay with New York Jets - if price is right

January 28

New York Daily News

"Kerry Rhodes clarified two issues Wednesday: He wants to remain with the Jets, and he said the Jets want him back. But he stopped short of saying it will happen, fueling speculation they are haggling over a proposed pay cut. The veteran safety, still chafed by his temporary demotion in November, said he expects to speak with Rex Ryan over the next two weeks to finalize his status. Rhodes said they gave him the option of requesting a trade. "The organization wants me to be here, so it's a little bit of me, humbling myself and talking to Rex a little bit more and seeing what happens from there," Rhodes said on his weekly spot on SNY's "Wheelhouse" show. Rhodes wants to see "how much they"

Kerry Rhodes, Rex Ryan unsure of safety's future with New York Jets

January 26

New York Daily News

"There was clearly unfinished business between Kerry Rhodes and Rex Ryan as the Jets packed up after Sunday's AFC Championship Game loss to the Colts. When asked if he wanted the Jets' safety back next season, the coach suddenly got cryptic. "This one I don't really want to talk about much, because there's an individual thing that Kerry and I have talked about," Ryan said. "I'd rather just keep it individual." Ryan said the talk he had with Rhodes took place Monday and "eight weeks ago," which is about the time he benched the safety for his play in the Jets' 31-14 loss to the Patriots on Nov. 22. "I'm just going to leave it as I had a conversation with Kerry and, you know, I am man enough"

Rhodes, Sheppard might not return as Jets focus on upgrading secondary

January 26

Newark Star-Ledger

"Three-fifths of the Jets' starting secondary may not return next season, including safety Kerry Rhodes, as upgrading the unit is a top priority this offseason. First, the Jets don't plan to pick up the $10 million roster bonus due cornerback Lito Sheppard in March and it's unlikely he'll return, according to a person with knowledge of the team's thinking who requested anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly. Sheppard, a former two-time Pro Bowler with the Eagles, battled injuries all season and was benched for the Jets' 30-17 loss to the Colts on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, playing sparingly in nickel and dime situations. Sheppard, who was replaced by Dwight"

Jets' Kerry Rhodes goes from Gates to Clark

January 23

New York Post

"Kerry Rhodes said he is glad Antonio Gates was the Jets' opponent last week. Gates, the Chargers' all-world tight end, caught eight passes for 93 yards in the Jets' 17-14 upset win Sunday in San Diego. It was Gates' backup, Kris Wilson, who caught the Chargers' first touchdown pass. It was good prep work for this week's test -- Colts star tight end Dallas Clark. "I think it was a good thing that we got to see Gates last week," Rhodes said. "And we just know that you can't just play zone against those type of guys. They're going to find openings. And when you have a quarterback like [Philip] Rivers or [Peyton] Manning, they're going to get the ball to him. "So seeing him, it helps us to"

No worries for New York Jets as Kerry Rhodes hurts knee

January 22

New York Daily News

"It was an ominous sight: S Kerry Rhodes, his right knee heavily wrapped, limped into the locker room and limped out a minute later, not talking to reporters. Rhodes collided with a teammate Thursday in practice and was added to the Jets' injury report for the AFC Championship Game Sunday against the Colts. Rex Ryan said Rhodes "bumped" his knee, claiming he will be fine for the game even though he didn't finish practice. Rhodes is a vital piece on defense because he could be assigned to cover TE Dallas Clark. In the last meeting, S Eric Smith drew the assignment for much of the game, in a three-safety nickel defense, but Rhodes did a good job last week on Chargers TE Antonio Gates. Nickel"

After Benching, Rhodes Is No Longer Playing It Safe

January 22

New York Times

"Kerry Rhodes, tight-lipped, walked slowly across the Jets' locker room Thursday afternoon because he had an ice bag the size of a helmet attached to his right knee. Rhodes, a safety who has vindicated himself in the last month, was injured in practice. Rhodes did not pause to speak with reporters, but Coach Rex Ryan said that Rhodes was limited in practice. Mike Pettine, the defensive coordinator, said later that Rhodes collided with a teammate but added that he had been told Rhodes would be fine. For Rhodes, 27, it was another setback in a season that has not gone exactly as planned. He was to fill the role that Ed Reed filled for Ryan in Baltimore - that of the pillaging free safety."

Kerry Rhodes driven to win

January 21

Bergen Record

"From the low of being demoted less than two months ago to the highs, literally and figuratively, of his performance against San Diego, Kerry Rhodes has remained the same. And the Jets' free safety believes that attitude is what got him through what he now refers to as the "situation." Rhodes said Wednesday, "my confidence never wavered. I'm a confident guy. … I knew in my situation I was going to break through just because of the type of person I am. I'm not going let any situation bring me down. "Even when things like that happen," he added, "you never know at the end of the day what can come from it. So you want to play your best and show other people that may take interest in you that"

Onside kick Turner-ing point for SD

January 18

New York Post

"Leave it to Norv. Old Norv Turner was at it again yesterday, finding ways to screw up. A day filled with questionable calls by the Chargers coach -- from leaning on the running game to using timeouts -- was capped by his decision to try an onside kick with 2:20 left in the game. The Chargers had just scored a touchdown to make the score 17-14. Instead of booting it deep and putting the pressure on the Jets to make some plays, he had punter/kickoff man Mike Scifres kick it 10 yards, where Kerry Rhodes recovered the ball for the Jets."

Jets' safety thriving

January 17

New York Post

"Just weeks ago, Kerry Rhodes had little idea he would be in the position he finds himself in today. Rhodes, demoted from his starting safety role after the Jets' Nov. 22 loss in New England, figured he might be saying "goodbye" at this time of year, perhaps seeing his Jets career come to an unceremonious end. Instead, Rhodes might be saying "hello" to the kind of career coach Rex Ryan believed he would have in the defense he brought here. Certainly, if the Jets are going to have success against San Diego in today's AFC divisional game and extend their season, Rhodes is going to have to be a big factor covering Chargers prolific tight end Antonio Gates. Rhodes, since his benching, has done"

Call Jets' Jerricho Cotchery, Kerry Rhodes and Chargers' Philip Rivers the 'Bama Boys

January 17

New York Daily News

"Joe Pate has been recruiting high-school football players for 30 years in the Deep South, mainly in his home state of Alabama. He knows the country roads and small towns as well as the back of a Waffle House menu, and he can say for sure that no stretch of highway treated him better than Interstate 65 in the fall and winter of 2000. A North Carolina State assistant coach at the time, Pate signed two recruits that would change the face of his program - a quarterback-wide receiver tandem that tormented ACC defenses for four years. Sunday, they are rivals in the AFC divisional playoffs. The old coach signed Jerricho Cotchery from Phillips High School in Birmingham and Philip Rivers of Athens"

Rhodes: Hey, Rivers, face this!

January 14

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"Here is the quote, the warning, that epitomizes the bravado and the swagger the Jets will bring into Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday against Philip Rivers and the Chargers. Kerry Rhodes was seated at his locker and someone reminded him that the Chargers have not scored fewer than 20 points in any game this season: "Yeah, but they haven't faced us yet," Rhodes said. They haven't faced us yet. The Jets believe that their No. 1 defense is peaking at the right time. "Right now we're a great defense," Rhodes said. "If we have to get a big stop to win a game, we can get it done." Coach Rex Ryan and the Jets subscribe to the age-old football tenet that defense wins championships. Ryan grew up around"

Kerry Rhodes, New York Jets feel like San Diego Chargers are beatable

January 14

New York Daily News

"The Chargers are the hottest team in the NFL. They're producing mad numbers on offense, Philip Rivers is the new Peyton Manning, their receivers are as big as the Celtics' frontcourt, Darren Sproles is Gale Sayers in the open field and . . . Pardon the hyperbole, but that's how it sounds to the Jets, who have been inundated with "How do you stop them?" questions for the last two days. Make no mistake, they respect the Chargers, but to paraphrase Dennis Green, they're not ready to crown them. "I don't think anybody is unstoppable," safety Kerry Rhodes said Wednesday. Reminded that no team has held the Chargers under 20 points, Rhodes shot back: "They haven't faced us yet." The Jets are a"

Focus is now for safety Kerry Rhodes as New York Jets prepare for AFC Wildcard

January 7

New York Daily News

"Kerry Rhodes is finally looking like the safety Rex Ryan envisioned in his defense. But Rhodes still isn't committing to the idea that he is Ryan's safety for years to come. Rhodes said Wednesday he still wants to evaluate everything before commenting about his future as a Jet. "I am comfortable in my situation now," said Rhodes, who signed a five-year, $33.5 million contract in 2008. "But like I said, we will re-evaluate things after the season. They have given me the vote of confidence that they want me here. But still, you have to put things into perspective after the season and see how it goes." Rhodes was demoted for two games after failing to make any significant plays or"

Kerry Rhodes, Darrelle Revis silence Bengals trash-talker Chad Ochocinco - for now, at least

January 6

New York Daily News

"Revis Island apparently isn't the only place Chad Ochocinco has trouble operating. According to Kerry Rhodes, the Bengals receiver doesn't enjoy running across the middle, especially after taking a big hit like he did from the Jets safety on Sunday. "You want to put a hit on every receiver coming across the middle," Rhodes said Tuesday. "But he's a guy that he doesn't like to come in between those numbers (on the field). The majority of his catches go vertical or they're outside, so when he comes across there, you want to catch him." Ochocinco has toned down his act this week as far as the trash-talking. But he took exception to Rhodes' assertion that he does not like going across the"

Ryan claims Jets are out of playoffs, but team is still a wild-card longshot with two games left

December 21

New York Daily News

"Shortly after his team re-created a performance from the "Same Old Jets" handbook, straight from the ever-growing chapter entitled, "Unfathomable Losses," Ryan waved the surrender flag. Called it a season with two games to go. "We're obviously out of the playoffs, and that's unfortunate," he said after a devastating yet oh-so-predictable 10-7 loss to the Falcons Sunday at the frigid Meadowlands. Uh, just one thing, coach: You're still not mathematically eliminated. As crazy as it seems, the Jets (7-7) still have the longest of shots in the AFC wild-card race. Then again, maybe premature concession was a fitting way to cap the afternoon; it was just another mistake in a day filled with"

Rhodes follows detour back to position

December 20

New York Post

"Keep a close eye on Kerry Rhodes today. He could be a big factor against the Falcons — one way or the other. The Jets safety, who has been a lightning rod of sorts this season after being benched from his role in the base defense a few weeks ago, said he will be back in the base today. Rhodes will have a key role in defending Falcons' tight end Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta's leading receiver with 75 catches. He did a good job on Tampa Bay's Kellen Winslow in a lot of man coverage, but said Gonzalez is a more difficult player to defend. "Kellen is more of a guy that goes down the field and is vertical, more like a receiver," Rhodes said "Tony is a true tight end. He can use his body well, read"

After Twitter complaint, Kerry Rhodes intercepts pass for New York Jets against Tampa Bay Bucs

December 14

New York Daily News

"Controversy seems to bring out the best in Kerry Rhodes. After making comments to a fan on his Twitter page last week hinting at the possibility of playing and starring for another team, Rhodes collected his third interception of the season to help the Jets rout the hapless Buccaneers, 26-3, Sunday. Besides his fourth-quarter pick, Rhodes helped the Jets hold dangerous tight end Kellen Winslow to four receptions for 26 yards. Afterward, he clarified his Twitter comments. "I have gotten a lot of great feedback as far as people wanting me here and some people don't," Rhodes said after the game. "So, just those guys that don't believe that I can do anything, I am sure another team wouldn't"

Rhodes talks about leaving

December 12

New York Post

"Kerry Rhodes wasn't to be found in the locker room after practice yesterday, but that didn't mean the maligned safety wasn't making his opinion heard loud and clear. Rhodes used his Twitter page yesterday to declare that if the Jets don't want him anymore, there are other NFL teams that probably do. "I promise alot of teams would love to have me as their PROBLEM! lol," he tweeted in response to another Twitter page launched in support of Rhodes. Rhodes was removed from the Jets' starting lineup two weeks ago and replaced by Eric Smith. This week, Rhodes had words with defensive assistant Dennis Thurman, and Rex Ryan snapped at reporters when asked about Rhodes' status. The Twitter page was"

Kerry Rhodes snaps at New York Jets secondary coach, wants to know if he'll start at safety

December 11

New York Daily News

"The Jets ' coaches are playing semantic games with the safety position, refusing to say if Kerry Rhodes has regained his starting job. And Rhodes sounded Thursday like he's fed up. Rhodes admitted he snapped at secondary coach Dennis Thurman in practice, the latest twist in what appears to be a deteriorating relationship between the high-profile safety and the organization. "I was a little mad," Rhodes said. Asked to elaborate, he added, "Just the in and out thing. It got to me a little. I was a little more emotional. I felt a little way about it today." But Rhodes claimed it didn't escalate into a heated exchange. Rhodes apparently is rotating in practice with Eric Smith , who"

Rhodes had to talk to Thurman to return to field

December 5

New York Post

"One week after having his starting job taken away, safety Kerry Rhodes was back playing in the base defense Thursday night in the second quarter. Rhodes said yesterday he knew he would get his job back, but he wasn't sure when. Earlier in the week, Rhodes said there was one thing coach Rex Ryan wanted him to do before he could return to his starting role, but Rhodes wouldn't reveal it. Asked yesterday, Rhodes said Ryan wanted him to sit down with defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman, a former NFL defensive back who was a mentor to Ronnie Lott and coached the likes of Ed Reed. "[Ryan] wanted me and DT to meet on a personal level," Rhodes said. "[Thurman] has worked with a lot of great"

After NFL fine, New York Jets' Kerry Rhodes ready to start over at safety

December 5

New York Daily News

"Kerry Rhodes may or may not have won his starting job back, but what's for certain is that the NFL disciplined him Friday. The league fined the Jets safety $5,000 for throwing the ball into the stands after his first of two interceptions in last Sunday's win over Carolina, Rhodes' first game since his demotion. Rhodes believes that two games after being pulled from the starting lineup, he has earned his starting spot back. "Yeah, I think so. I don't want to say it's concrete, because I don't know," said Rhodes, who lost his spot to Eric Smith. "But that's pretty much it." Rex Ryan, however, was noncommittal Friday, a day after the Jets' win over Buffalo in Toronto. "I will let it play"

Eric Smith is still starter for New York Jets at safety, but Kerry Rhodes earns more time

December 1

New York Daily News

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Rhodes still hasn't regained starting job

December 1

New York Post

"Kerry Rhodes played well enough in Sunday's win over the Panthers to earn himself more playing time -- getting his first two interceptions of the season. He did not, however, play well enough to regain his starting job. The Jets safety, who had his 74-game starting streak snapped Sunday when he was demoted by coach Rex Ryan to playing in only the dime sub package, also will be used in nickel against the Bills on Thursday. "Kerry's going to start in more packages," Ryan said. "He's going to play a ton. I probably will start Eric in the base package. He'll definitely be in some nickel packages. I think he'll be in other packages as well. "He played well; that's what we were expecting from"

A quick Rhodes back to prominence

November 30

New York Post

"All Kerry Rhodes needed to be successful was to be benched. The Jets safety responded to head coach Rex Ryan pulling him from the starting lineup with a pair of interceptions yesterday in a 17-6 win over Carolina -- his first two picks of the season. Rhodes, who played primarily only in third-and-long situations, didn't have much to say after the game -- apparently taking a cue from quarterback Mark Sanchez. Rhodes gave a statement, then refused to answer questions. "Coach tried to send a message to me," Rhodes said in the statement. "I got the message; the message was sent. Now I'm moving on. You're going to see Kerry Rhodes. That's all I got to say. You saw Kerry today and that's it.""

After benching, Kerry Rhodes responds with interception in New York Jets' win over Carolina Panthers

November 30

New York Daily News

"After finally making a statement on the field for the first time this season with two interceptions, Kerry Rhodes delivered a brief verbal statement to reporters before bolting out of the locker room Sunday. It was that kind of day for Rhodes, the demoted safety who needed very little time on and off the field to get his point across to his critics. "Coach (Rex Ryan) tried to send a message to me, I got the message, the message was sent," said Rhodes, who had the first multi-interception game of his five-year career. "So, now I am moving on. You are going to see Kerry Rhodes, so that is all I've got to say. "That's all it takes. You saw Kerry today and that is what you will see.""

Jets' running game key vs. Panthers

November 29

New York Post

"A week ago, coach Rex Ryan cried in front of his team and then he fired his defensive line coach. This week, Ryan first included himself into the team's offensive meetings, taking special interest in putting a stop to Mark Sanchez's rash of turnovers and then he benched starting safety Kerry Rhodes. The 4-6 Jets — losers of six of their past seven games — play the 4-6 Panthers today at Giants Stadium, and it's fair to wonder if they are cracking as they spiral toward a potential ugly season. "Everybody's got a right to their own opinion," Ryan said. "I don't believe this team is even close to crumbling. I think it's just the opposite. We're competitive, and we want to win in the worst way."

Rex right not to start struggling safety

November 26

New York Post

columnist Jay Greenberg

"With the possible exception of a quarterback throwing repeated mindless interceptions, there is nothing worse for a team than an important player thinking he is playing better than he really is. That's when an established coach -- or a coach who has a chance to become one -- hooks up the jumper cables and turns the ignition but not without being careful to line up positive to positive. "I know how much this hurts [Kerry Rhodes]," coach Rex Ryan said yesterday of Rhodes' demotion. "I believe football is first to Kerry. "I know he's embarrassed by this, as am I, quite honestly. But I think he's gonna respond, I really do." Of course, if Rhodes does not, Ryan's message will be lost, along"

Kerry Rhodes will not start for 1st time in career

November 26

New York Post

"After coach Rex Ryan told Kerry Rhodes that he was demoting him from the starting safety spot he has held with the Jets since 2005, Rhodes did some serious soul searching Tuesday night. "When I [was told] my mind was going into, 'Well, maybe I should go do some other stuff,'" Rhodes said yesterday. "You just think about a lot of stuff. If your coach doesn't think you're doing enough for your team then you start to question yourself as a player." Rhodes was signed to a five-year, $33.5 million contract extension in April of 2008, so don't look for him to be transitioning into a new career anytime soon, despite the fact that he's dabbled in some modeling and movies off the field. What Ryan"

Jets' Rex Ryan demotes safety Kerry Rhodes

November 26

Boston Herald

"For the first time in his NFL career, Kerry Rhodes is no longer a starting safety. He's also not quite sure how much longer he'll be with the New York Jets after being demoted yesterday by coach Rex Ryan in favor of Eric Smith. "I don't know," Rhodes said of his future with the team. "I didn't expect to be in this position, so I don't know." Rhodes has failed to be the playmaking presence Ryan expected when he compared him to Baltimore's Ed Reed in the offseason. Instead, Rhodes has struggled with no interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles or fumble recoveries. "Do I expect more of Kerry? I would say that's a true statement than what we're getting," Ryan said. "He probably expected more of"

After benching, safety Kerry Rhodes may be on way out with New York Jets

November 26

New York Daily News

"Kerry Rhodes said he was stunned, embarrassed and humbled by his demotion. Rex Ryan sounded almost apologetic as he explained his decision, saying he feels Rhodes' pain. Yes, the Jets tried their best Wednesday to soften the blow for the fifth-year safety, but here is the cold truth: Rhodes' benching, first reported by the Daily News, could be the precursor to his ouster. Rhodes signed a five-year, $33.5 million contract extension before the 2008 season, but the blockbuster contract doesn't tie him to the Jets. Barring injury, none of the remaining money is guaranteed, meaning the Jets can trade or cut Rhodes after the season without a stiff financial penalty - especially with 2010 looming"

Rex Ryan tackles New York Jets defense, benches Kerry Rhodes

November 25

New York Daily News

"Rex Ryan isn't ready to bench rookie QB Mark Sanchez, but he has demoted another high-profile player - safety Kerry Rhodes, the Daily News has learned. Rhodes, who began the season with the hope of making an Ed Reed-like impact in Ryan's defense, has failed to register an impact play in 10 games - no interceptions, no sacks, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries. Ryan, perhaps trying to send a message, will replace Rhodes with Eric Smith. For Ryan, the final straw may have been a second-quarter play Sunday in New England, where Rhodes passed up a chance to deliver a blow-up tackle on WR Wes Welker. Instead of unloading on Welker, Rhodes hesitated and dipped his shoulder, making only"

It's been a rocky season for Rhodes

November 21

New York Post

"This is the kind of season it's been for Kerry Rhodes: Yesterday in the locker room he went to hurdle a laundry cart, clipped his foot on the edge and fell to the floor. The Jets safety got up uninjured and laughing, but it's been that type of year for Rhodes, who entered this year hoping to be a playmaker such as Ed Reed in coach Rex Ryan's defense. Instead, he has no interceptions and no sacks. "It is getting difficult," Rhodes said. "I see myself wanting to do certain things on certain plays to try to make a play. But once you start doing that you get yourself out of position and other plays happen. This is where you really have to stay disciplined in what you believe in and what the"

Jets safety Kerry Rhodes defends off-field pursuits

November 21

New York Daily News

"Kerry Rhodes knows what the perception is. He's supposed to be the Jets' ball-hawking version of Ed Reed in Rex Ryan's defense but he hasn't been making plays. So that surely means he has been too preoccupied doing photo shoots, commercials and appearing in music videos rather than spending time in the film room, right? "It is a little bit misleading," Rhodes said of the perception that he is more Hollywood than bringing the wood on the field. "People think I do more than what I actually do. At the end of the day, I do my work." Tomorrow against the Patriots, Rhodes will be looking for his first interception since Dec. 14 against the Bills. He currently is mired in an 11-game"