After getting beaten handily by the Patriots on Sunday, someone's got to take the blame. Most eyes would immediately go to Mark Sanchez, who threw four interceptions, or to Rex Ryan, who's looked overmatched as the team has lost six of its last seven games.
But the man bearing the brunt of the blame is probably not who you'd expect it to be. It's safety Kerry Rhodes, who, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, will be benched this week at home against the Panthers. In his place, Eric Smith will start.
Rhodes spent last week trying to garner Pro Bowl votes via his Twitter page. He then spent much of Sunday afternoon getting bowled over by Patriots in the Jets' defensive backfield. If he can sneak a cell phone on the sidelines this week, maybe he'll get another chance to campaign for some votes, but he may not have the opportunity to earn any on the field.
On the season, Rhodes has 48 tackles, zero interceptions and five passes defensed.
