Eric Sorenson
Ken Whisenhunt and the Cardinals coaching staff are happy with what they’ve seen from free safety Kerry Rhodes since acquiring him in a trade with the Jets in 2010, but they want more.
You can hardly blame them.
The only setback in Rhodes’ development in Arizona has been due to various injuries. Last year he played in only seven games tallying 34 tackles. In 2010 he started all 16 games registering 90 tackles and four interceptions.
“He has a knack it seems of finding the football,” Whisenhunt said Tuesday. “He’s made some big plays for us. What I’d like to see him is a full season of doing that.”
Second-year defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s defense fits Rhodes well and the Cards have been experimenting this summer putting the versatile Louisville standout closer to the line of scrimmage.
“Being in the second year in this system I think everybody has caught on and grasp the things we need to be successful,” Rhodes said. “I think we’ve done a good job and it’s been fun.”
The 29-year old Rhodes changed his off-season routine this summer opting to spend the majority of his time and train in North Carolina, instead of jumping coast-to-coast between Los Angeles and New York as he’s done in the past. He’s hoping less travel will help his body both physically and mentally over the course of the season.
Whisenhunt said he’s excited to see what Rhodes and Pro-Bowler Adrian Wilson can do together with a full training camp in Horton’s scheme.
