The Indianapolis Colts are banking on a bounce-back season from cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who signed with the team during free agency. Not only that, but they are also hoping he takes on somewhat of a leadership role in the secondary.
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Though that might be difficult given the restrictions due to the pandemic hitting the nation, Rhodes has been able to begin his role as a leader. In fact, he and Kenny Moore II are working out together in South Florida for the time being.
“I think he’ll pan out just the way that (he has) in meeting rooms. I think it’ll be the same as whenever we had Mike Mitchell. He brought a lot of experience to the room and he gave us a lot of pointers of things to look out for and things to expect,” Moore told reporters Wednesday. “So I think Xavier Rhodes can do the same thing. I’m actually working out with Xavier Rhodes down here in south Florida, so it’s great to be on the field with him.”
The Colts have a pretty young secondary. It’s why the move to release Pierre Desir was a bit of a head-scratcher. But the addition of Rhodes brings a lot of veteran experience—one that has even had All-Pro success in the league.
When the Colts brought in Mike Mitchell during the 2018 season, his presence and knowledge had a massive impact on the secondary. He made Quincy Wilson look promising after taking him under his wing and several of the younger players learned from the veteran.
Rhodes isn’t only here to teach, though. The Colts signed him to be a starting cornerback on the boundary opposite Rock Ya-Sin, and they are hoping his struggles during the 2019 season were more due to the injuries rather than declining play.
Regardless, the Colts need some veteran presence in the secondary given how young the room is, and it seems Rhodes is already privy to the role.
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