Cory's Corner: Xavier Rhodes Makes Sense
The former Viking would give the entire Packers' defense a boost.
This is going to be hard for a lot of folks.
Remember Xavier Rhodes? He tormented the Packers for seven seasons before playing this last year in Indianapolis.
Now he's a free agent and he would be an excellent piece opposite Jaire Alexander. Pair those two up and you arguably have the best secondary in football. Alexander gave up a passer rating of 68.3 and Rhodes' number was 79.2 — which was better than guys like Joe Haden, Kyle Fuller and Josh Norman.
There's no doubt that Alexander is the best corner in the NFC, but the passing defense can still get exposed when there's a wart on the other side. Kevin King gave up a passer rating of 105.8, including an abysmal 140.5 in the NFC Championship. King gave up a reception percentage of at least 70 percentage six times last year.
Rhodes isn't just solid in coverage, he's one of the better tacklers as well. He has averaged 5.3 missed tackles in eight seasons. To put that in perspective, Jalen Ramsey is averaging 6 missed tackles through five seasons.
Rhodes is a smart veteran that rarely gets ticketed with penalties — he only had six last year — and he doesn't back down from a challenge. He's the kind of guy that will be a thorn in receivers' sides. Offensive coordinators will be aware of where Alexander is at all times, but Rhodes will clean everything else up when things go to the other side of the field. And the kicker is his versatility. Rhodes can get to the quarterback and will offer a lot of help in stopping the run.
But if you still want a good reason as to why Rhodes belongs in Green Bay, it's money. The 30-year-old had a $3.2 million cap hit in Indy. That's a tiny number for a guy that stil has two solid years left. The Packers could offer a two-year deal for an average of $3.5 and still be swimming in value.
Rhodes is a guy that all defensive coordinators want because he isn't afraid. He wants to do whatever it takes and now that he is in the twilight of his career, winning will most certainly be on his mind.
It might be hard for a lot of Packer Nation to accpet Rhodes wearing the Green and Gold, but if there's a chance to make the secondary one of the best in all of football, you do it.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (42)
Fabio
February 20, 2021 at 06:20 am
I'm not thrilled but it's definitely an upgrade over King. However good observation on the potential custome
jeremyjjbrown
February 20, 2021 at 08:47 am
We're unlikely to get someone thrilling unless they hit with a rookie. A Sam Shields 2.0 would be awesome.
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 09:07 am
Ento?
Fabio
February 20, 2021 at 06:21 am
At the right price I still prefer Sherman or Peterson
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 09:06 am
Maybe Patterson. Sherman probably needs to move to safety.
rememberWhitehurst
February 20, 2021 at 09:24 am
Peterson is done. He's a shadow of his former self, a shadow someone will overpay based on the name.
PatrickGB
February 20, 2021 at 09:44 am
I watched a segment on the NFL network on which good arguments were made for moving Peterson to safety. They used Woodson as the argument that it would help both the player and the team who had him on their roster. I could see him succeed in that role and fill in at CB when needed in certain defenses.
CAG123
February 20, 2021 at 10:55 am
He’s not the playmaker or tackler Woodson was though he’s not nearly as physical he was a Asante Samuel type corner good for coverage and speed useless for everything else those don’t make good safeties.
PatrickGB
February 21, 2021 at 11:15 am
Thanks CAG.
stockholder
February 20, 2021 at 06:34 am
Hit the Rhodes. No way.
scoonie_penn
February 20, 2021 at 06:36 am
Rhodes
Pluses
Big
Physical
Competitive
experience
Played for Jerry Gray
Minuses
Injury History
More of a zone corner
Age
Speed
Since J Gray knows him well, if GB doesn't pursue him, you'll know why.
rstain99
February 20, 2021 at 08:59 am
Have to agree if J Gray knows him and they don't show interest. Still sounds better than the stable of stiffs they have, Josh Jackson what a disappointment. A stud D lineman would help some of the d backs pressure on the the QB as TB had great line and covered some of the average D backs same with SF last year that line was so good. Oh so close this year the King did us in with multiple brain farts
packer132
February 20, 2021 at 09:31 am
Rhodes had a PFF grade of 76 compared to King's 55. Packers draft a CB in early rounds (2-4) and again later plus a cheaper free agent corner. Rhodes will be 31 soon and maybe 1 or 2 years left.
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 10:00 am
The year before Rhodes produced the second-lowest PFF coverage grade at outside CB since 2018. Yes, lower than King this year.
The reason he faired better is that the Colts use more zone coverage than most teams, allowing him to funnel routes inside instead of being on an island. He can pass off deep routes to safeties and monitor the quarterback’s eyes instead of having to react to receivers.
In other words, we’d have to play a scheme that isn’t going to help Alexander to deal with Rhodes limitations and dire struggles in man over the previous couple of years. This isn’t a bad idea, it’s a terrible one that has to be based on not seeing him at the end of his spell with the Vikings or how he was used by the Colts.
dobber
February 20, 2021 at 09:16 am
Injury history: with the exception of his rookie year, Rhodes has played in all 16 games 4 of 7 times, and in 14+ games every season. That's pretty durable for a CB.
Guam
February 20, 2021 at 08:21 am
Acquiring any FA CB will depend on cap space and what scheme Barry wants to play. Despite cutting Kirksey and Wagner, the Packers are still around $10 million shy of making the cap by the start of the league year. I just don't see much if any cap space available for FA signings. Additionally Rhodes fits better in a zone scheme (at least he did in Minnesota) and given Alexander, I am not sure the Pack will want to play lots of zone. Just don't see the fit for Rhodes.
Bear
February 20, 2021 at 11:30 am
Plus the Packers need an additional 5 million for draft picks and 3 million for the practice squad.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 21, 2021 at 03:19 am
No they don't. $5M for draft picks, PS and the 52nd and 53rd players combined.
PhantomII
February 20, 2021 at 06:52 pm
There are hybrid schemes where say Alexander is man and others in the secondary are zone and it does add another layer if a team motions Alexanders guy and he follows, other team may think they are all in man coverage. The Rams did this with Ramsey.
mrtundra
February 20, 2021 at 08:43 am
I ALWAYS dread former vikings players becoming Packers players. From way back, when viking RB, Dave Osborn, wore the G&G I felt like I was on the verge of throwing up, whenever he came onto the field. I'm so happy we never went after Randy Moss or Adrian Peterson. My anti acid usage has gone way down. I see, this year, the vikings may have to release Anthony Barr, due to cap issues. I have a full jar of Tums, ready, just in case, the Packers think going after him is a viable thing to do.
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 09:04 am
Old, once good, players already in visible decline are a bad idea. This is particularly true at perimeter corner. Replacing one younger slow player with an older one could work inside or at safety ( there’s a reason old good corners sometimes move there where savvy counts and less speed can be coped with).
Better off signing a younger guy with a lower ceiling who can stay with his man. This is not good thinking. Especially so with Alexander shutting down the other side. The second corner is going to not only be targeted, but targeted with any speed available.
dobber
February 20, 2021 at 09:22 am
I would argue that unless the Packers draft a couple CBs and sink or swim with a rookie opposite Alexander, it's going to be one of the depth CBs on the roster or an "old, once good player visibly in decline" because that's all they'll be able to afford.
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 10:29 am
I haven’t watched Patterson this year, but we’d better try to snag a rookie in the first round if the alternative is Sherman or Rhodes if next season vintage. I don’t want zone with Alexander as good as he is and I therefore don’t see value in either except as back up safeties. The same could well be true of Patterson, but I do not know.
imafubared
February 20, 2021 at 09:08 am
this guy was done two seasons ago. speed and cover skills are long gone. Forgetaboutit
NickPerry
February 20, 2021 at 09:27 am
I guess it would depend on what Jerry Grey thinks. I've never been fond of signing a Ex-Viking since most of them suck. But if Grey was good with it, thinks Rhodes could be a good #2 CB instead of the #1 CB he was in Minnesota, AND he was cheap, hey I just want to win a SB!
I saw Troy Hill is a FA and probably won't be expensive either. He played for the Rams last year so he knows Berry's scheme. He's the same age as Rhodes too so that might not be a horrible signing either. I think Peterson and Sherman would cost too much but we'll see, they may play for less at a real shot at a ring or in Shermans case another ring. PLUS we have to wait and see who else gets cut along the way as teams trim the fat. A CB we aren't even thinking about yet might just be available in 2 weeks.
I'm still holding out hope for JJ Watt. If Watt REALLY wants a ring, he ain't going to Pittsburg. Big Bens elbow makes his arm about as good as last years version of Drew Brees AND the Steelers are in the sam situation as the Packers...Cutting players to get under the cap. Plus I'm sure they'd like to get either JJ Shuster, Bud Dupree, Sean Davis, or Zack Banner signed.
PatrickGB
February 20, 2021 at 09:51 am
Right now I don’t see the Packers making the SB. I think that we went all in last year and will not have the ammo to do as well this year. The team can’t afford any upgrades and will field a team diminished in talent at key positions. This year’s scheme is killer. I don’t like it but it is true.
JonathanSpader
February 20, 2021 at 10:06 am
The off-season says we didn't go all in. We drafted a QB for the future with our 1st round pick. We didn't splurge in FA. How GB fares in 2021 will depend on the draft and as always how far Aaron Rodgers can take them.
PhantomII
February 20, 2021 at 06:45 pm
The packers have not went all-in.....AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THEM. But they have drafted a lot better many years ago and we were always close, but the money managers never pushed anything to get to the show.
Just like this year, players don't execute and make mistakes. It's as if they don't practice enough to be crisp on both sides of the ball when it counts.
Since'61
February 20, 2021 at 10:06 am
FYI, Al or Nags, EDWood article “Interesting facts about the Packers” does not have a comment section, at least not on my device.
Not sure if deliberate or just an error.
As for Xavier Rhodes, I hope that we have a better option. Rather try a draft pick or even a UDFA. We’ve hit on Shields and T’Will in the recent past. Thanks, Since ‘61
Coldworld
February 20, 2021 at 10:32 am
Williams was signed from another PS I think, but that point is a good one in this year where lack of college film and roster limits could lead to opportunities to catch an unheralded player, veteran or rookie.
Since'61
February 20, 2021 at 10:51 am
Yes Coldworld, Williams was signed from the Texans PS. But he worked out great until he suffered a nerve injury in his shoulder during the 2011 season. He was still good but never quite the same after that. Thanks, Since ‘61
Rossonero
February 20, 2021 at 01:23 pm
My initial reaction to the headline was "no way," mainly because I recall Davante Adams torching Rhodes during the 2019 season. However, I didn't realize that PFF ranked him as the 9th best (out of 121 CBs) on 957 snaps. He had a coverage grade of 78.9, and a defensive grade of 77.3.
In spite of that, he'll be 31 in June and is in the twilight of his career. For a cheap price on a one year prove it deal - maybe - assuming he fits into Joe Barry and/or Jerry Gray's scheme. If he doesn't, then move on and draft someone else. I'd almost rather have Tramon Williams back than bring in Rhodes.
CHEESEHEADDALLAS
February 20, 2021 at 01:39 pm
When did we turn in to the Cubs this would be a bone head move but then again we are the bone heads that drafted a Qb with the number one pick last year
MarkinMadison
February 20, 2021 at 02:15 pm
I'm o.k. with brining in a veteran corner. I don't care where they played before. I don't have anything against Rhodes - he's not Suh cripes all frighty. I just don't think he fits, assuming the Packers don't get more zone-heavy next year. Which they could very well do.
flackcatcher
February 20, 2021 at 06:42 pm
Kevin King. (Runs away laughing...)
madtowndan
February 20, 2021 at 03:45 pm
As a backup....maybe. He didn't pick up the moniker "all Rhodes open" for nothing.
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February 21, 2021 at 06:04 am
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Doug_In_Sandpoint
February 21, 2021 at 09:01 am
Gute, call Lord Zakuza and get him going on scouting. It sounds like he could find a shut down corner for opposite JA in minutes.
Since'61
February 21, 2021 at 09:44 am
Now it is time for you to order the miracle spring water.
Spock
February 22, 2021 at 10:26 am
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Fubared
February 21, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Rhodes is a dam good example of what the genious at the Vikes do consistently. They got all they wanted from Rhodes, new he had something left in the tank and dumped him but for more draft picks.
This is their forte, they know when to get rid of guys who still have talent and also worth back to them. If they are dealing a Rhodes they have alist of young new talent via the draft to replace him with and move around to get the person.
They are just exceptional at this.
Thus Rhodes is done, he was spent two seasons ago. Speed is gone, cover skills gone, no he would not help much.
dobber
February 21, 2021 at 01:04 pm
"They got all they wanted from Rhodes, new he had something left in the tank and dumped him but for more draft picks."
Um...the Vikings cut Rhodes last March and so got nothing in return except cap relief.