Making the Leap Xavier Rhodes

[PurpleHalo]

This is from a series they are doing on nfl.com featuring Rhodes as one of the top 25 players to make the next leap. Rhodes clocks in at number 24, but in my opinion he will make a serious leap in year 2.


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... ier-rhodes

[dead_poet]

Dear God I hope so. Good read. Reasons for optimism.

[Eli]

The Vikings need a LOT of leaps from their second year guys. They all showed promise, but none of them have proven themselves yet. Floyd, Rhodes, Hodges, Locke, Baca ... all need to step it up. Patterson has proven he's an incredible talent, but not quite yet a talent at WR.

[PurpleHalo]

The Vikings need a LOT of leaps from their second year guys. They all showed promise, but none of them have proven themselves yet. Floyd, Rhodes, Hodges, Locke, Baca ... all need to step it up. Patterson has proven he's an incredible talent, but not quite yet a talent at WR.

Rhodes showed me a lot in his rookie year, primarily later on, you can't expect DBs to dominate year one. Especially nowadays, where the rules are so slanted for the offense. He showed flashes of the skills needed to be a true number 1 shutdown guy, and I'm convinced that is what he will be. I bet coach loves having this guy.

[Purple bruise]

Rhodes showed me a lot in his rookie year, primarily later on, you can't expect DBs to dominate year one. Especially nowadays, where the rules are so slanted for the offense. He showed flashes of the skills needed to be a true number 1 shutdown guy, and I'm convinced that is what he will be. I bet coach loves having this guy.

The Vike's secondary face some of the very best widereceiver combos in the NFL . That is tough for anyone, especially a rookie db. Rhodes got better late in the season and if the Vikings can ramp up their pass rush he will do just fine

[losperros]

I simply love this kid. Yes he got beat a few times last year, but most of the time he was right there. And Rhodes is super physical. I hope Zimmer lets him play to his strength.

Exactly. Rhodes is at his best when he gets to play aggressively.

I thought Rhodes was one of the few bright spots in the D secondary last year, especially late in the season.

[tnvikesfan]

Rhodes and H Smith were our 2 bright spots in the secondary for sure. I really liked how Rhodes played as a rookie, and with a good d-minded coach who will actually COACH, I think he will improve tremendously. Wouldn't it be nice to have a good D again? I just wish Winfield was there to teach our dbs how to tackle - he was the best in the business for years.

[2greg]

In this new style defense I'm looking for the defense to make some big plays that turn games around more so than in the past. How about a corner picking one off and returning it all the way for 6.

rhodes can be that guy!

[HardcoreVikesFan]

It would be nice to have a corner that actually can play man coverage effectively for once. He haven't had a guy like that since... well, damn, I don't even know when. Antoine was ok at man coverage during his time here, but he was far more superior in zone.


Rhodes played well for the most part last year. Rhodes can be over physical - which could lead to some flags, but I really want us to have an aggressive corner on this team for once.

[Purple bruise]

It would be nice to have a corner that actually can play man coverage effectively for once. He haven't had a guy like that since... well, damn, I don't even know when. Antoine was ok at man coverage during his time here, but he was far more superior in zone.


Rhodes played well for the most part last year. Rhodes can be over physical - which could lead to some flags, but I really want us to have an aggressive corner on this team for once.

I agree he is sometimes too physical and will attract a lot of flags but I would rather see that than a "Cook type" cb getting burned for big plays all game long.