Report: Jets benching Kerry Rhodes

With the Jets losing six of seven games, it's time for someone to take the blame.

And possibly because benching rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez could jeopardize G.M. Mike Tannenbaum's job security, coach Rex Ryan is getting started on the other side of the ball.

Per FOX's Jay Glazer, the Jets are benching safety Kerry Rhodes, replacing him with Eric Smith.

In April 2008, the Jets signed Rhodes to a five-year, $33.5 million contract extension, with $20 million guaranteed.

Smith is in the final year of his rookie deal, making only $535,000.

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21 Responses to "Report: Jets benching Kerry Rhodes"

  1. rodstiffington says: November 25, 2009 8:29 AM

    The rumor I hear is after the season, Mangini is trading Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas, Shaun Rodgers and our next 3 1st round picks for Rhodes and a conditional 7th round pick

  2. Krow says: November 25, 2009 8:29 AM

    Man... one thing you have to say about Rex... he's not afraid to scapegoat his players and his coaching staff. He makes Caligula look thoughtful.

  3. Florio-is-a-tool says: November 25, 2009 8:33 AM

    See this is the kind of move Super Bowl contenders make. Right Wrecks?

  4. chapnasty says: November 25, 2009 8:35 AM

    Wow.... ballsy move here. One of the best safeties in the game, maybe a motivation move to let players know their jobs arent safe?

  5. doriangray says: November 25, 2009 8:36 AM

    I recommend they bench Rex Ryan and promote one of the Coordinators to HC. A basic law of the universe is, if you brag sooner or later you're going to look like an idiot. You never see Manning, Breeze or Brady bragging or saying anything thing bad about other teams or players.

  6. Ranoversquarells says: November 25, 2009 8:43 AM

    Kerry, tell me how the bench taste?

  7. urbusted says: November 25, 2009 8:48 AM

    rodstiffington says:
    November 25, 2009 8:29 AM
    The rumor I hear is after the season, Mangini is trading ....................................
    AFTER this season. Mangini will either be gone or working under a GM with legitimate control.

  8. Crazy Eddie says: November 25, 2009 8:49 AM

    If you've watched any Jets game this year you know that Rhodes has indeed been useless. Missing tackles, blowing coverages, not making any impact plays. He is the weakest link right now, maybe this will light a fire under his ass.

  9. Samuel L. Bronkowitz says: November 25, 2009 8:51 AM

    At least you could make the case that Buddy had done enough to justify some of his bragging... his boys, though? Not so much.

    Ironic that Mangina had some success with NYJ and got canned for Ryan the asshat, only to move to Cleveland and become an asshat himself. It must be contagious.

  10. BernardPollardIsAnAss says: November 25, 2009 9:14 AM

    Rumor has it... the benching is so Rhodes can have more time to tweet about how great a safety Bill Belichick thinks he is.

  11. toothpick says: November 25, 2009 9:21 AM

    Maybe Kerry can take some notes while on the sideline. He may notice that most successful tackles are made using one's arms.

    This guy could benefit from some focus. If he spent half as much time practicing tackling as he does looking at himself in the mirror he may not be such a clown.

  12. shawnc16 says: November 25, 2009 9:27 AM

    They are Buddy Ryan clones. Great as coordinators but shouldn't be head coaches. I really want to like Rex since he was the Ravens DC but damn he reminds me of Buddy right now.

  13. Bills=Heartbreak says: November 25, 2009 9:39 AM

    Hey Jet fans I thought he was going to be the next Ed Reed. Hahahahahaha, dumb azzes

  14. holycow says: November 25, 2009 10:18 AM

    Weren't Rhodes and Gholston supposed to be the new Reed and Suggs?

  15. mustbechris says: November 25, 2009 10:44 AM

    we'll take rhodes if yall don't want him...

  16. MistrezzRachael says: November 25, 2009 10:48 AM


    Rhodes talent wise ..is good , not great. He is NOT in the top 2-4 safeties...like he'd like all to believe.

    Rhodes biggest issue however...is that he's not a 'Reed-type' free wheeler. He ONLY plays well in a highly disciplined system...and Rex's D is anything but that.

    Yes, his outside interests hurt....but his MAJOR issue..is he's poorly coached.

  17. Hauschild says: November 25, 2009 12:35 PM

    Where are all the mullet heads with their favorite saying about Rhodes? You know, the one that states, "Two-third's of the earth's surface is covered by water - the rest is covered by Kerry Rhodes."

    Favre leaves the Jets and suddenly average players appear average again. Who knew?!?!?

  18. Outfoxed says: November 25, 2009 12:36 PM

    The beat goes on. Money can't buy a championship with monkeys at the helm!!!

  19. crazyforflorio says: November 25, 2009 12:49 PM

    I love you Florio. Marry me!

  20. Papoose059 says: November 25, 2009 1:29 PM

    I love watching the Jets demise.

  21. ampats says: November 25, 2009 1:32 PM

    Today on PFT is like Xmas. As the saying goes , the Emperor has no clothes which means the Jests are a joke.

    They have a lousy HC, A QB who throws it to anyone on the field, regardless of which uniform the player wears. Their #1 WR cannot catch, no different from Cleveland,drops more passes than he catches.. Their top Safety is relegated to the bench where he can continue yapping, Sancherception can hook him up with his hot dog guy on the sidelines.

    Hey jests fans, thanks for chuckles this season.

    1969-present No appearances in the Super Bowl.


    RIP-

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