The writing was on the wall for months and although Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said on Friday he expected Kerry Rhodes to be a Jet in 2010, a day later he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
In return for 5th year safety, the Jets received Arizona's 4th round pick this season and a 7th round pick next year.
Rhodes had been in disfavor with both Head Coach Rex Ryan and Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine since the middle of last season when his play clearly was sub-par. Rumors floated that the Jets staff did not like Rhodes' work ethic and talked too much without the play to back it up. Things came to a head in week 12 when he was benched in favor of Eric Smith. He later got back into the starting lineup but the damage had already been done. For now, RFA Smith will move up the depth chart. Another DB who has shown improvement, Jamed Ihedigbo will also likely get more playing time. The Jets will likely look for a safety in the early rounds of the draft and will surely keep ears and eyes open for the avialabilty of any veteran talent to fill the void.
