TEMPE, Ariz. -- New Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes said Monday that he had expected to be back with the New York Jets next season, but he and the team that eventually traded him weren't seeing "eye to eye" in the end.
"We just didn't mesh that well at the end of that journey," Rhodes said during his introductory news conference with the Cardinals. "So right now it's a chance for me to get a new start and have a new beginning here.
[
[ For more on the
Arizona Cardinals, check out the latest from our bloggers.
"I get to come here and help a team that's already good, just being able to come in and give my leadership and give my playmaking ability here, just try to help in any way I can."
Rhodes is expected to move into the starting spot, opposite All-Pro Adrian Wilson, that was vacated when Antrel Rolle signed with the New York Giants on Friday, one day after the Cardinals released him.
"We were successful on defense last year in a lot of categories, and Kerry was a big part of it," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Monday. "He played well here for a number of years. Typically, when a new coaching staff comes in, there are going to be bumps in the road. Obviously, there were some between Kerry and our defensive coaches."
Rhodes, a fourth-round pick out of Louisville in 2005, has 15 career interceptions.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
