Cardinals release of Kerry Rhodes was expected

Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes had an outstanding season in 2012, but due to the Cardinals new management, Rhodes was released.  The good news about the Rhodes and Cardinals divorce is that it would be mutually beneficial for both parties.

On the one hand, the Cardinals will save about 4.5 million dollars in cap space for 2013, and since Rhodes’ contract was set to expire in 2013. There will also be no major hits to the future cap space for the Cards.

On the other hand, Rhodes will get to play on a more competitive team. It’s all just a matter of time for Kerry Rhodes. There have been rumors of a two-year extension coming Rhodes’ way, but Rhodes has to ask himself. Will the Cardinals be a Championship team in two seasons? They already have to find a franchise quarterback, and a Kevin Kolb divorce would hurt the future for the Cards to pick up more players to improve the team.

Keep in mind; this is coming from a Kerry Rhodes fan. Rhodes has come to the Cardinals, and had a renaissance from his slump with the New York Jets in 2009. However, Rhodes deserves a Championship, and the Cardinals don’t have a certain future.

Rhodes plays a position where one hit could end his career, and I would hate for that hit to be on a losing Cardinals football team. There will be a big market for safeties in 2013, and I’m certain Rhodes could find a team where he would be one of the final pieces to the puzzle of a Championship run. The Cardinals on the other hand, have a long way to go, and I’d rather see them continue to build their team through the draft, than through free agency for the future.

And by the way, the 2013 NFL safety draft class is loaded. That’s why Adrian Wilson was released and Kerry Rhodes too. The bottom-line is both parties will benefit from parting ways, and hopefully the Cards can find a replacement in the 2013 NFL draft.

James Cobern is a Featured Journalist for TPF and can be contacted at JCobern@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.