Xavier Rhodes Says Colts Defensive Scheme Is Much Easier

Xavier Rhodes had a really bad 2019 season with the Vikings. Rhodes allowed a catch rate of 75.6 percent last year which is… well… NOT GOOD. Rhodes used to be one of the best corners in the league but fell off the map last year. After signing with the Colts this offseason, he believes a bounceback season is incoming.

The reason why Rhodes thinks he can perform well in Indianapolis the the scheme. In Minnesota, Rhodes was on an island a lot in coverage. With the Colts, he’s going to be playing all zone. Rhodes says it’s going to be way easier playing with the Colts:

“It’s so much easier,” Rhodes said, via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “I’ll tell you that. . . . This one is more zone, eyes to the quarterback. That’s going to be the main difference for me, is being able to play looking at the quarterback, rather than looking at the man.”

Rhodes is right about one thing. This zone scheme is much easier. It’s read and react. Play your zone and find the ball. The Colts have been among the teams to play the highest percentage of zone since Matt Eberflus took over as the defensive coordinator.

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It’s a low risk, high reward play by the Colts. Rhodes signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with Indy this offseason. If the Colts get a revitalized Rhodes, it’s a big time steal. Rock Ya-Sin is the only reliable corner on the roster so the Colts are counting on Rhodes to deliver. It’s a big year for the Colts and somehow Rhodes is a big X-Factor.