Cardinals' Rhodes expects more of the same

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Kerry Rhodes anticipated the question with the same ease with which he anticipated those four interceptions and four fumble recoveries last season. What do you do for an encore in 2011? Not put pressure on myself to do it again, he said. I want to do it again, and I expect to do the same thing, but if Im lined up right and I can help everybody else get lined up right, my plays are going to be there. I cant go out and chase mirages. Ill make the plays that Im going to make if Im in position because Ill have the opportunities. And I will be fine with that. In case youre wondering what happened to the free safety Jets coach Rex Ryan called a "selfish-ass guy" and "Hollywood type" -- the guy whose off-field interests supposedly affected his on-field play while he was in New York -- its hard to say. That guy never showed up in Arizona. Rhodes still has those off-field interests. Hes dabbling in television, movies and he did a GQ photo shoot for Lacoste this spring. But since arriving in Phoenix, Rhodes has made play after big play while remaining open, insightful and incredibly quotable in the locker room. Moreover, hes developed a fast friendship with strong safety Adrian Wilson, the defenses unquestioned leader and a guy who can see through B.S. faster than Captain America runs a mile. I dont know about all that other stuff that was said, Wilson said. All I know is hes a good player and a good friend. When Rhodes arrived at training camp last season, a couple reporters who covered the Jets predicted he would have a big season in 2010 then fall off this year. Rhodes is aware of that prediction, but like Ryans barbs, and like the encore question, he wont take the bait. He wont engage in verbal one-upsmanship. Its not going to happen, he said of the predicted fall-off in production, or the chance to fire back at his critics. Look, the year with (Rex) wasnt what both sides wanted, but it happened. I still think Im one of the best players in this league. Im just going to come out and do the same things as I did last year. Nothing -- nobody -- is going to change that or affect that. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt views that stance as a reflection of Rhodes maturity. The real professionals are the ones who can focus, Whisenhunt said. Kerry has shown that ability as well as a number of other good attributes. Rhodes 2010 season was undoubtedly defined by big plays. Aside from the eight turnovers, he scored two defensive touchdowns and had 90 tackles, tied for second on the team. It marked the third time in his six-year career he'd had at least four interceptions and 90 tackles. But Whisenhunt insists Rhodes play wasnt defined solely by big plays. It was also defined by consistency no small feat when you consider how much the Cardinals defense struggled. He did make some big plays for us, but thats what you want to see from your players. Thats what you need, Whisenhunt said. If he can put another year like that together, thats really a great thing going forward because it defines who you are. Thats really what this business is about: Can he do that again this year, or even play better? It wont be easy. The Cards are installing a new defense under new coordinator Ray Horton without the benefit of offseason OTAs. But Rhodes has a theory hes pushing. Because of the shortened offseason, he believes offenses will have to dial down the playbook and simplify things. If they dont want to make too many mistakes theyll shorten the playbook, and when its simple and I get to see it a couple times, Im going to adapt to it, he said. I think league-wide, theres going to be more interceptions than usual, and you know I like that. Rhodes has little idea what to expect from Hortons system. Hes had all of two weeks to absorb the terminology, which both he and Wilson say is vastly different from last seasons. We havent really sat down and talked about what my role is going to be, per se, Rhodes said. But I would think from what (Horton) saw last year, Ill get my chances. Thats all Rhodes ever wanted in New York or in Arizona. This organization, the fans and the players -- they welcomed me with open arms," he said. "They let me have a personality and thats how it should be. They allowed me to just come in, be myself and just play ball. Thats all I wanted to do, and thats when Im at my best.