Who says the Jets don't know how to treat their boys?
Gang Green inked safety
Kerry Rhodes to a five-year, $33.5 million extension on Thursday. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed cash.
This now makes Rhodes one of the richest safeties in the league. Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders recently signed a
five-year, $37.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. Rhodes isn't in Sanders' class, but it's a smart move by the Green and White to lockup one of their own before he hit the free agent market. Rhodes had one more year remaining on his contract.
Number 25 got off to a slow start in 2007 (along with everyone else on defense) and finished with the worst totals of his three-year NFL career, but came on strong in the second half of the year. Rhodes had a four-game interception streak that started against the Pittsburgh Steelers and finished with 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 5 INTs, 10 passes defensed and returned a fumble for a score.
Good, but not great numbers. However, those totals don't accurately reflect the type of player Rhodes is and can be. When he's on, he can be a powerful force and a play-maker on D. But now with the big-time money comes greater responsibility (yeah, I'm working in a
Spider-Man reference). He's going to have to bring his "A" game to the table every time out now and help lead the Jets defensive resurgence.
I think he's up to it.
Leave a comment
