Things can change very quickly in the matter of a day. On Friday, safety Antrel Rolle was off visiting with the New York Giants, hoping to get a big payday. His request was granted and he became the highest paid safety in NFL history. Despite matching the offer, Rolle elected to not return to the Cardinals.
Cardinal fans were surprised. But while some were upset with the loss of Rolle, many felt that the Giants overpaid, and keeping Rolle at that price just wasn't worth it.
The next day, management went out and made a statement move. The Cardinals sent one of their 2010 4th-round picks and a 2011 7th-round pick to the New York Jets for free safety Kerry Rhodes. I loved the move.
For a team that would already have an abundance amount of picks in April, to only lose a 4th and a 7th for next year shows what kind of deal the Cardinals got on Saturday. They acquired a safety that is the same age as Rolle with just as much talent, and they got him at a much cheaper price tag.
We don't know a lot about Rhodes, considering he's been a Jet his entire career and the Cardinals don't play them often. He's a hard hitter and his coverage skills can be just as good as Rolle's. The biggest drop off is that we won't be seeing the same big plays with the ball that we're used to seeing from Rolle. But in the end, the Cardinals went out and found a replacement to show that they are serious about keeping a winning mindset in Arizona.