Most NFL fans will agree that in the last two seasons, Xavier Rhodes has regressed from his former All-Pro playing level. Rhodes, cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, was once considered one of the best lockdown corners in the league. He had a career season in 2016, intercepting five passes and batting down 11. The year after, Rhodes had another solid season, earning him a ticket to the First-Team All-Pro roster. By 2017, Rhodes had 60 passes defended in his five-year career, along with 10 tackles for loss and nine interceptions. Things were shaping up nicely before they all went downhill.
Statistics
In 2019, Rhodes played like one of the league’s worst corners, allowing a whopping 81.5 percent of all passes to be caught and a 123.8 passer rating when targeted. The once-loyal Minnesota Vikings fans began to call him names like “Burnt Toast” and nearly started a riot when he was listed as a Pro Bowl alternate. What might have caused this intense decline? Some argue it’s age, as he’s not as fast or athletic as he used to be. Additionally, numerous nagging injuries limited his level of play in 2019. While that might be true, the most logical explanation that many have overlooked is a certain coach. A man named Jonathan Gannon.
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cook
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm
Gannon was the Minnesota Vikings’ assistant defensive backs/cornerbacks coach from 2014-2017. In those four seasons, Rhodes accumulated nine interceptions. By comparison, Rhodes only recorded one interception during three seasons without Gannon on the sideline. Additionally, Rhodes has not had a season with double digit passes defended since Gannon’s departure. Clearly there is a connection between the two that boosts how Rhodes performs, but why would this matter? What does this have to do with Rhodes bouncing back to his All-Pro form? In 2018, Gannon joined the coaching staff of the Indianapolis Colts. He serves as the lead defensive back/cornerback coach to this day.
Conclusion
Reuniting Rhodes with Gannon was a smart choice by the Colts. With little money spent on his one year deal, the Colts are giving Rhodes a second chance in the NFL without much risk. Rhodes has a higher chance of regaining his past status of “lockdown corner” on the Colts with Gannon as his leader than with any other team in the league because of the beneficial connection between the player and coach. There’s a higher chance that “Rhodes are closed” in Indianapolis this year than some might think.
-
Ep 159: Remembering Norma Hunt With Chiefs Historian Bob Mooreby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Chiefs historian Bob Moore joins Clark and Ira to discuss the life of […]
-
Ep 158: Billy "White Shoes" Johnson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
Former Oilers star Billy "White Shoes" Johnson joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Understanding Post June 1 Cuts & Potential Trade Candidatesby LandryFootball.com on June 8, 2023 at 2:10 pm
One of the important dates on the NFL calendar has come and gone, with […]
-
See How Incoming SEC Freshman QB's Rankby LandryFootball.com on June 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Every year hundreds of high school quarterbacks receive college offers to […]
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
Ep 288: Coast 2 Coast 2-Copy Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 1:55 pm
-
Ep 287: BLeague Brings His A-Gameby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
Episode 3.12: Mini-Camp Preview with Craig Hoffmanby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 1:16 am
George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) hosts Craig Hoffman from the "Take Command […]
-
Episode 3.11: OTAs and Hot Topics w/Sam Fortier from the Washington Postby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 9:20 pm
George Carmi hosts Sam Fortier from the Washington Post to discuss the […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
After Connor Bedard going #1, who are some prospects to look at for the […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Areas of improvement, prospect look and AHL playoffs. Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Lou Lamoriello holds a press conference yesterday we talk about what was […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 770by Charlie Saunier on June 6, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Ep 770 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 6 & Preview Calder Cup Final […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Tuesday, June 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 5:20 pm
A brief look at game one of the Stanley Cup Final and potential draft […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Tuesday, April 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
It is the Connor Bedard show at the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Will Connor […]
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 2 win over the Heat and the recent […]
-
6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Ian and John discuss the Golden Knights dominating win and look ahead to […]
-
6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Loveby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Ian and John discuss the Heat's win over the Nuggets, the Golden Knights […]
-
6/2 - Nuggets Take Game 1, Barry Bonds, Stanley Cup Chat w/ Jim Biringerby Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 1 win over the Heat, the upcoming […]
-
6/1 - NBA Finals Preview, Aaron Rodgers, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Ian and John discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Nuggets and Heat […]
-
5/30 - Heat Dominate Celtics; Vegas Advances; Jimmy Gby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics disappointing Game 7 performance against […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cookby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm
-
Miami Dolphins Preview and Win totalsby Broken Controller Media on June 8, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Malott vs Fugitby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Ige vs Landwehrby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep. 248 - Would the Heat be the Most Unlikely NBA Champions Ever?by Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:22 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "Too Much Wrestling"by Boot 2 The Face on June 1, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Your boys are back talking ALL of the pro wrestling that happened this […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "PPV Predictions"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2023 at 1:06 am
BIG weekend in wrestling and EJ and Rucker are here to predict!AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and WWE Night of Champions Review and CM Punk Returnby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they review AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and Night of Champions Previewby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they preview Double or […]
-
Ep 167: Ahmed Johnsonby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ahmed Johnson was a red-hot act in WWF in the mid to late 1990s. We looked […]