Xavier Rhodes May Not Be A Buccaneer Man
March 1st, 2013How badly do the Bucs need cornerbacks? Well, if you walk up to One Buc Palace, you may just get a tryout on the spot.
With the draft being rich with solid cornerbacks through the first three rounds, it remains to be seen whether the Bucs draft a corner in the first round or, which will be very difficult to do, find a desperate team in order to trade down and perhaps nab Xavier Rhodes.
Largely regarded as the second-best cornerback in the draft, Rhodes, though a very good cover corner, upon further review may not be a Buccaneer Man because he is allergic to tackling. This comes from a man by the moniker of “NFLosophy,” a former head honcho in an NFL front office who refuses to offer his real name but his Twitters are fantastic to read as he loves breaking down film and translates what he sees into easy-to-understand terminology.
In fact, NFLosophy is one of Joe’s favorite follows.
Let’s just say NFLosophy is scared off of Rhodes due to his resistance to tackling.
@NFLosophy: Xavier Rhodes is a terrible tackler. Much better ball skills than Milliner. Lets good WRs get across his face too much. Needs better jab. … Rhodes is really good at getting his guy to the sideline and getting his head around to the QB while staying in step with WR. … Rhodes is an outside CB only. He’ll never be able to play in the slot. Misses way too many jabs at LOS, doesn’t drive his WR from that. … Another ? for Rhodes: Not a max effort guy vs. run. Multiple plays where RB got outside and he didn’t chase. That’ll only get worse in NFL … I’ve seen mentions that Rhodes is better than Milliner…Not the case. Not even close. Rhodes is very good, but Milliner better all around.
This is downright troubling to read that Rhodes bails so much against the run. Joe has a vision of Bucs coach Greg Schiano watching Rhodes not make an effort against the run while studying tape and reaching for a bottle of Pepto Bismol.
Though Joe loves how Rhodes pays attention to the quarterback and the ball — how many times have you seen Bucs corners have a play at the ball if they only turned around to look at the quarterback/ball? — Joe will forever remember in Greg Schiano’s interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio at the NFL Combine last year. Schiano said 2011 Bucs film revealed a starting cornerback (Aqib Talib?) loafing on runs and said, in so many worss, that type of play is simply unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
NFLosophy claims that a defender who doesn’t want to dirty his uniform will only grow worse in the NFL.
Joe remembers a term former Bucs linebacker Scot Brantley loved using: “It’s all about want-to.”
Apparently, Rhodes didn’t want to.
Is that the makings of a Buccaneer Man? Joe doesn’t think so.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:11 am
Tackling is something Schiano is good at fixing. He must run Oklahoma drills until it is second nature.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:14 am
Seen Rhodes for 3 years…and that’s 100% WRONG “evaluation”….it’s pure comedy
March 1st, 2013 at 9:14 am
Watch for Trufant when we trade back up into the 1st round like we did last year.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:18 am
Cary Williams in free agency!!! I’d like to trade down with the Dallas- Bengals and take Tavon Austin in the 1st and get Jonathan Banks or David Amerson in the 2nd. Austin would make the most impact for out team in the 1st round and the CB aren’t really that far off from eachother, so I like taking one in the 2nd rd.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:18 am
That little excerpt is exactly how I’d describe Eric Wright lol
March 1st, 2013 at 9:34 am
One thing I’ll say about Rhodes is it seemed like every other game he suffered some sort of injury…most were minor, yes (minor enough to cause him to miss game action, but not serious), but the point is if you can’t stay healthy against low-level ACC competition how are you going to stay healthy consistently in the NFL? I’ve had enough of injury prone CBs. Aqib had an injury that caused him to miss significant time every year except one I believe. Hell, we couldn’t keep Eric Wright out there for more than two quarters at a time! I’m sick of all these unreliable CBs. If we take one at 13 they better be able to stay on the field longer than the aforementioned gruesome twosome.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:35 am
Desmond Trufant…Pencil it in.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:36 am
Bad assessment. If this is the case, than why is every other analyst calling him one of the more physical corners coming out of college. I have watched every FSU game that has been televised in the past 5 or more years (if I wasn’t at the game) and I can tell you that I have never seen him shy away from hitting someone or making a tackle. Now maybe there could have been a time or 2 that he didn’t play at full throttle but im willing to bet it was a rarity. QBs shied away from even throwing his way because hes that good. The QB from Notre Dame sure wasn’t scared to throw the ball right at Milliner. Now grant it Milliner did not give anything up, but he also did not take anything away from Notre Dame. Milliner will be a great cover corner, but, Rhoads will be the better shut down corner. Coach Stoops would not have tolerated him taking plays off.
March 1st, 2013 at 9:41 am
This is the first I’m reading he’s not a willing tackler. His physicality is what makes him that intriguing to be a Schiano guy.
This guys a clown whoever reported it bc I saw nothing but willingness to tackle and hit guys when he had the chance.
March 1st, 2013 at 10:02 am
Long as this young man can, become one of the most astute players in the game. Continually work on; and perfect his craft………..
Xavier Rhodes– is potentially an ALL-PRO FREE SAFTEY!!!
March 1st, 2013 at 10:25 am
i youtubed Rhodes and saw this yesterday. By the way, physical means jamming at the line, not neccesarily tackling. Rhodes is also very grabby down the field. After watching other DB highlights. This draft is deeeep with DBs, some in rds 2 and 3 look legit and may be better pros than the top 3. John Banks ran a slow 40 time but might be the best CB out of the top group.
March 1st, 2013 at 10:27 am
Rhodes is also pretty soft spoken, CBs need ak attitude IMO
March 1st, 2013 at 10:33 am
Why haven’t we cut wright yet?
March 1st, 2013 at 11:42 am
There will be better value at 13 than Rhodes.
March 1st, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Visually, I like Rhodes! The thought of having Sean smith on one side, Rhodes on the other, with the whirling dervish Honey Badger in the slot or nickel excites me.
But If Schiano had to pick today it would be Desmond Trufant. If he thought that Trufant would be there in the late 20s, he would probably take Kenny Vacarro at 13, then trade back and take Trufant late. These are 2 DBs that play physical sideline to sideline. Schiano kinds of guys!
March 1st, 2013 at 12:20 pm
I’ve done some of my own evaluations of this guy and it’s not effort or an “allergy” to tackling. His technique is awful and takes bad angles on ball carriers. NO LOAFING WHATSOEVER. If anything, he’s incredibly aggressive and physical in the run game AND pass game. I agree with the other few people making comments that contradict this so-called expert.
However, I do agree that he’s not very versatile. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when what he excels at is the most difficult to find in a prospect. He seems to be tailor-made for this defense.
March 1st, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Oh, and his problems with technique and angles are very easy to fix under a guy like Schiano. Honestly, the only thing that makes me nervous about this guy is his intelligence and ability to adapt. Otherwise, he could end up being a steal at 13 if he fits the system.
March 1st, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I’ve also felt this way since waaaaaay before the combine… in case anyone is curious.
March 1st, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Tackling corners are the last thing bucs D needs, they need a guy just like this who can run with the big boys on fades and skinnys…
March 1st, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Who is this unanimous blogger Joe put’s so much faith into. What makes him such an expert that you can’t say his name. Is he a secret New Orleans or Carolina fan who’s team coincidentally picks after us? I don’t trust un-named sources, there could be an agenda.
March 1st, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Joe said, “With the draft being rich with solid cornerbacks through the first three rounds”
Here’s Bears beat writer Dan Pompei who begs to differ from you, he said.
“After I surveyed numerous NFL front office members I came away with the conclusion that 13 CBs could go in the top two rounds.
I say, If we don’t choose a corner in the first round there will only be scraps later
March 1st, 2013 at 2:21 pm
I get a kick out of un-named commenters mocking un-named Twetters.
March 1st, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Speaking of allergies, with our current corners allergic to turning their heads when the ball is coming, I welcome Xavier with open arms!!! Our coaching staff can coach up those other weaknesses.
March 1st, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Desmond Trufant is now the clear #2 corner in the draft.
He ran a 4.37 40.
Rhodes and Banks are now 3 and 4.
Imagine getting Trufant, Vaccaro, AND Tyranne Mathieu in the first 3 rounds?
Daaaaaammmmn!
Talk about a sick secondary!