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Rex Ryan isn't ready to bench rookie QB Mark Sanchez, but he has demoted another high-profile player - safety Kerry Rhodes, the Daily News has learned.
Rhodes, who began the season with the hope of making an Ed Reed-like impact in Ryan's defense, has failed to register an impact play in 10 games - no interceptions, no sacks, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries.
Ryan, perhaps trying to send a message, will replace Rhodes with Eric Smith. For Ryan, the final straw may have been a second-quarter play Sunday in New England, where Rhodes passed up a chance to deliver a blow-up tackle on WR Wes Welker.
Instead of unloading on Welker, Rhodes hesitated and dipped his shoulder, making only glancing contact. It ended in a 15-yard reception for Welker, who killed the Jets all day. Ryan was said to be upset with Rhodes' performance in the game.
Rhodes was considered a rising star after the 2007 season, when he made a career-high five interceptions and almost made the Pro Bowl. In April, of 2008, he received a five-year, $33.5million contract extension.
There have been rumblings that Rhodes, a fledgling model and actor, isn't focused on football. He dismissed that notion last week but he didn't help his case by lobbying for Pro Bowl votes on his Twitter page.
