Kerry Rhodes' addition isn't going to offset all the Cardinals' personnel losses this offseason, but his quick acquisition from the Jets following Antrel Rolle's departure shows Arizona has a plan.
The Cardinals part with a fourth-round choice this year and a seventh-rounder next season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Arizona had an extra fourth-round choice in 2010 after trading Anquan Boldin and a fifth-rounder to the Ravens for third- and fourth-rounders.
"Great pickup," Cards fan alvaden wrote in the comments of our earlier item. "It's sweet when you can have confidence in your team's leadership to stay on top of things, regardless of circumstances. He is a better pass defender than Rolle, and his numbers match Rolle's even though he didn't start all his games last year. He was outstanding in the playoffs. Now we just have to address the holes in the LB positions, improve our pass-rush, and pick up another safety in the draft. After all the moves in the last two days, I'm starting to like what I'm seeing!"
Amazing how one move can change the outlook. We shouldn't go overboard with praise, but this move deserves some acknowledgment. The Cardinals have subsequently announced the move, indicating they gave up their own choices in the deal, not the fourth-rounder acquired from Baltimore.
"We all know that the safety position was a hole we needed to fill," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team. "To be able to do that so quickly and with a proven starter off the NFL's No. 1 defense is a tremendous positive for our football team. Kerry has the experience and ability to step in right away. He fits a lot of the things that we do defensively and the prospect of having him alongside a perennial all-pro like Adrian Wilson is very exciting."