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Is Minnesota Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes ‘downright bad’ in 2015?

By Adam Carlson

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“The Minnesota Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes hasn’t had a great 2015 season so far. In fact, it’s been downright bad.”

That was the statement that was made in an article on the Sun Times website today.  Personally, I’ve watched every single Minnesota Vikings game this season, and from the play I’ve seen, I’m left with the same impression of him that I had last year.  However, they do have some backing to their claim in the form of pro football statistics giant Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Here is the tweet they used to back up the statement that Xavier Rhodes’ play in 2015 is “downright bad”:

Now, PFF isn’t a site that everyone believes.  In fact, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has come out and said that their grades should be “taken with a grain of salt” because of a lack of knowledge regarding play calls and assignments.  Still, many fans use PFF as their gospel to find out who played well and who played poorly.  As of this writing, I can only find two scores for Xavier Rhodes during the 2015: Week 2 vs Lions: +0.8 and Week 3 vs Chargers: -1.4.

Aug 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) smiles prior to the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Through 4 games this year, Rhodes already has 3 passes defended and 20 total tackles.  If you project that out to the season, that would be 12 passes defended and 80 total tackles.  As a total during the 2014 season, Rhodes recorded only 49 total tackles and defended 18 passes.  So, I’d say that the pass defenses will come, but it should be noted that Rhodes’ tackling should be praised a little more often.

What should be noted even more is that Xavier Rhodes often faces off against the opposing team’s #1 wide receiver.  As noted above, Rhodes graded out positively against the Lions, where he was tasked with covering Calvin Johnson throughout most of the game.  In addition, he has taken on Demarius Thomas and Keenan Allen.  In addition, Rhodes suffered a concussion in the game against the Chargers when he collided with Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo, which may or may not have had an impact in his game against the Broncos.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this:  Xavier Rhodes is doing a solid job at containing the opposing team’s best threat.  Personally, I’ve been pleased with his play this year against top-notch competition and believe that he can only get better as he continues to grow and develop as a cornerback.

If nothing, being able to complain about little things for Rhodes feels a lot better when we think back to the days when we were hoping Chris Cook would become the team’s shutdown corner.  Remember that, Vikings fans?  Yuck.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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