Thanks to you, the readers of TJB, this week I got the chance to spend 15 minutes on the phone with for the Jets’ Safety, Kerry Rhodes. Mentioning Rhodes’ name among Jets fans generally causes a mix of elation, pride and even a certain smugness (we got him *when* in the draft?!) as if he’s our little secret. After his second season though, people everywhere have taken notice of the former collegiate Quarterback from Louisville who loves to roam the Jets secondary. Names like Peter King, Dr. Z and other national writers are starting to take notice of Rhodes, who doesn’t seem to mind the attention that much. Away from football, Rhodes has been known to rub shoulders with some A-List company like Jamie Foxx and Michelle Williams.

Since my celebrity experiences are pretty limited (see my Seth Myers incident for reference) and I have to admit, I was very excited, but a bit nervous about the call. Once connected with him, it’s easy to see why the Jets were so excited when they drafted him. Kerry was patient, well spoken and is driven to succeed in football and life. Beyond that, it’s clear that Kerry has fun side to him, with a tendency to crack little jokes or use comedic inflexion. The 15 minutes went fast, during which time I think I broke down into only one “you … are … AWESOME!!” type moment.

Again, a BIG THANK YOU to the ladies of IdealPR for all their help in making this happen. Although I didn’t get a chance to ask him, also check out Kerry Rhodes’ RHODES Foundation PDF for more information on his charitable work.

To read the interview with Kerry, check after the jump.

During the past few months, you have been busy with some interesting opportunities … Fashion Week in NY, ringing the bell at the Stock Exchange … what’s been the coolest experience you have had over the past few months?

There’s not one thing that sticks out, but life is good in New York City, being in my position, the accessibility and recognition that playing has provided has been a great experience and I do appreciate it.

What else has been keeping you busy? I understand that you are going to be in some movies? Can you tell us a little about them?

Sure, I have parts in two movies, neither part in these films are huge roles. The first film is called Misunderstandings, I play an over-popular boyfriend who gets into a sticky situation. It’s not a major role, but and I am actually in a Jacuzzi for most of it that’s due out late in 2007.

In Queen of Media, the movie of the life of talk radio’s Wendy Williams. I play a college football player opposite the lead character playing Wendy. I start filming in April.

I hear because of your ties to the film industry, Vilma calls you “Hollywood,” what’s your or the team’s nickname for him?

(Laughs) Jon is a real good friend, and I was the one that came up with the nickname that everyone calls him now. I started calling him “Click-Clack,” like from the [UnderArmour] commercials.

OK, so imagine you’re producing your own blockbuster film that you are also starring in … what’s the story and who do you get involved in the project?

Hmm, well a story of my life would be rather boring … but maybe a realistic movie about football. There really aren’t any realistic movies about what football is really like. Other than that, just being in someone else’s movie would be great, someone like say, Woody Allen.

OK, so back to football, Most players struggle in their second year as a Pro… while you exploded … why do you think the reverse was true for you?

As a player, you are put in a situation where you can either thrive or take yourself out of the picture. I have heard other players talk about their second year being a struggle … a “sophomore slump.” I never thought of it that way. I didn’t look at the season and think that. I just wanted to keep playing and increase my level of play.

Your Alma Mater had a lot of attention this year, which of your former teammates at Louisville … excuse me, “Lou-uh-vull” should teams be keeping their eye on during the NFL Draft?

Yeah, you gotta get that right! Well of course a lot of attention has gone to Amobi Okoye, the 19 year old beast. Based on his ability, his smarts and his age, Amobi will be a great player for a long time in the NFL. Michael Bush is another good player, but he has been dealing with another surgery. As far as sleepers, look for Brandon Sharp, he’s a safety, and like me, I think he has been a bit overlooked so far. Also, look for the guy who took over for Michael Bush, Kolby Smith.

I had read an article during the season about you and Jonathan Vilma having film meetings during the season, can you tell us some about that?

Film study has been a big part of learning at this level, Jon and I alternate houses. On Monday, we review the film on our own … we watch our opponent’s last four games. Then on Tuesday we get a nap or whatever after practice and we start at 8PM. We meet again on Wednesday going through more, then Thursday we review. Friday, we watch the film and call out two or three things that we think they will do in the next play and then watch the play to see what happens.

Like “3rd and 2″ or whatever? To figure out tendencies?

Yeah and generally, you end up getting it right because you’ve seen what the team you are studying does. At this level, everyone’s an exceptional athlete, so narrowing situations down, knowing your opponent is important.

Now that I’ve done this some, it’s like I’m the veteran!

You are! You are totally a grizzled veteran Kerry!!  So is it just you and Jon, or other players come too, is it exclusive?

Yeah, it’s exclusive, just Jon and I. I did sit down with Coach [Mangini] a few weeks ago, and he has asked me to work with the younger guys now on the team to teach them what I have learned about watching film, how to do it and how to learn from it.

That’s excellent, can you talk about what it’s like to play with another young Safety, Erik Coleman? How do the two of you complement each other?

Erik is a good player, and he had a good year. His rookie year, he played so well, and just being a year ahead of me, he has been someone for me to look up to and see how to handle myself in the league … but who understands what I am going through. Knowing that Erik is next to me helps me do my job better. It’s great to have a player next to you who you know can make plays and rely on.

As a safety, you have a lot of varied duties, of all his responsibilities on the field What do you enjoy doing most?

Me? Oh, I prefer to be in a zone. I like to cover when someone gets beat or who slipped coverage and I can provide help, it’s a good feeling. A funny story when I started with the Jets in my rookie year, Donnie Henderson asked me what I wanted to do. I told him, “Coach, let me roam!” Roaming is where I feel most comfortable. I also feel like I have a good sense when in coverage what the QB is looking for.

You would have some idea about that…

Right, having played quarterback, I do think that I have some insight on what’s going through their mind, what they are looking at and where they are trying to put the ball.

No one knows the team better than you and your fellow teammates. Heading into the draft, are there areas of the team that you hope to see addressed early with some young blood?

That’s tough to answer. I don’t want to call attention to any of my teammates, that wouldn’t be fair to them.

Everyone understands that the purposes of working out during the season and offseason are pretty different. What will you be focusing on during your offseason? Have you been working any with Randy Gordon (boxing trainer)?

Oh yeah, I have been back to training and boxing now for a couple of weeks. Boxing which is a big help. It’s a great help to my conditioning. I need it to hold my own with those big guys like Shaun Ellis.

Yeah, talk to me about Shaun Ellis, what’s he like? He seems pretty quiet, is that the case?

Shaun? No … well  … he’s not really quiet but he’s not really loud either.

… so he’s not Eric Barton then?

(Laughing) No, no!

Can you talk about what it’s like to play for Coach Mangini? Has your perception of Mangini changed since your initial meeting?

I think that the only thing that changed was from the start, it was like “you’re young.” But the important thing for any coach is to sell it first. Coach demanded what he wanted from the team and he knew what he was talking about.

How much did you enjoy giving Coach a Gatorade bath? You were involved, weren’t you?

Oh, that was all me, I was the main culprit on that one! It was a nice day out, not too chilly, so it wasn’t that bad for Coach…

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