Rhodes: Jets coaches favored former Ravens
Safety Kerry Rhodes #25 of the New York Jets reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (January 9, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes tossed a few verbal grenades at his previous employer Tuesday during an appearance on 1050 ESPN Radio.
Rhodes, on the "Michael Kay Show,'' said he thought the coaching staff showed favoritism toward the three former Ravens who followed Rex Ryan to New York - linebacker Bart Scott, defensive end Marques Douglas and safety Jim Leonhard - because they were already familiar with the defensive scheme.
"The D coordinator [Mike Pettine] and the rest of those guys didn't feel like I was the focal point - or one of the focal points - on the defense,'' said Rhodes, who was traded Saturday to the Cardinals for two draft picks.
"It was more like, 'Oh, we brought in our guys . . . and our guys know the system, so we're going to let them run things and you guys just learn it and fill in with them.
"To me, it doesn't work that way. Not to sound arrogant, but I've always been the guy that coaches would say, 'OK, you run the defense, you help them get lined up and make plays.' It was kind of a slap in the face.''
