The Indianapolis Colts wanted to add more reliable, veteran pieces to the team this offseason.
The franchise did exactly that when they signed former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
Rhodes is looking to bounce back after an up-and-down 2019 season that featured a trip to the Pro Bowl.
If there is anyone that believes he can do that, it’s Indy’s head coach Frank Reich.
The Keyword Is “Excited”
Reich talked about the future with Rhodes as the team’s new cornerback.
When talking to reporters last week, Reich could not be more excited about the future.
#TouchDownTuesday
Xavier Rhodes goes the length of the field for a TD #100YardPick6 | #RhodesClosed 🚧 | #Colts— Peyton2Luck 🏈 (@Peyton2L) March 31, 2020
A Chance To Prove Himself
Even though Rhodes made the Pro Bowl, don’t let the stats fool you.
It wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows in Minnesota.
Rhodes is coming to Indy and will have to prove his worth as a starter, but for now, he is getting the benefit of the doubt.
Last season, Rhodes allowed a career-high 131.1 passer rating according to Pro Football Focus.
Xavier Rhodes allowed a completion percentage of 82.4% as the nearest defender last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats, the highest in the league among all defensive backs with at least 60 targets. https://t.co/CWmL6Y2idY pic.twitter.com/zuQXKtcZy1
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 26, 2020
Reich has that number in the back of his mind.
“Obviously, we’ll give him the respect that is due, but he’s got to earn it just like everybody else,” said Reich, via Hickey of USA Today. “He’s got to earn it like just everybody else.”
New Additions Settling In
The Colts defense ranked 16th in the NFL for total yards per game allowed, which included the 23rd ranked defense in passing yards allowed per game.
The franchise knew the team needed upgrades, which included the signing of Rhodes.
That also included the Colts trading their first-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for DeForest Buckner.
The new pieces are coming together to make a formidable defensive unit, which excites the team’s head coach.
“We really are excited about where we’re going on defense with the addition of DeForest (Buckner), with our young players and our young defense,” Reich said. “I think we’ve made some moves there that are really going to help us, both with starters and some depth going forward that can help our defense to take the next step.”
Final Thoughts
Rhodes is technically still in his prime.
We see a player leave his old franchise and turn it around all the time in the NFL.
A perfect example from last season is 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman.
Rhodes is a three-time Pro Bowler.
It can be done.
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