Kerry Rhodes had a conference call with the press yesterday, here are some of his answers to the questions posed to him. From his answers, it’s clear he’s focusing on football right now, and excited to have re-upped with the Jets.

… on if the team had to sell him on the deal …
“There wasn’t much selling. They reassured me I was a guy they wanted around, a positive leader on the team, someone who fits their mold on what they want to do. Just having that reassurance was big for me. I like New York, I like the organization and I like the guys I’m with, so it wasn’t a hard decision once they told me I was a guy they wanted around.”

… on whether it’s a relief to get it done before training camp …
“It’s a big lift off my back knowing where I’ll be for the next couple of years. I have security and every player wants that. I was able to get it early. Once I actually signed it, it was a big sense of relief, knowing that I’ll be here and be with a team that I like.”

… on process of getting the deal done …
“I was pretty confident that something would be done because of the feedback that I got at the end of the year that there was something in the works for me down the line. They were proactive in trying to get something done. There were times where it was in the back of my mind (that the deal wouldn’t get done), but they came right away and reassured me so it was a good thing.”

… on the Jets’ other offseason moves …
“The moves we made fit areas we needed. I’ve talked to all of them. They’re guys that have played well and made a name for themselves before they got here. Them being able to play, I don’t think that’s a concern of ours. We know they can play. The fact that they’ve been so open, showing the leadership skills, is a pretty good deal for us.”

… on the defense using helmet with radios this season …
“It’s going to be a cool thing. Defense in this day and age has such a disadvantage against the offense. They can go no-huddle and speed you up and you have to look to the sideline and get the signals and it’s a pretty difficult situation for us most of the time. With the helmet radio thing I think it will be a very positive thing for the defenses and it’s a positive thing for the league to take notice of the defense a little bit.”

… on turning down acting opportunities …
“I had a couple of opportunities but I turned them down to get away from everything and keep a clear head coming into this year. This is a big year for us, I want to come out and have fun and try to get back to the winning ways we had in Eric’s first year. I think we lost sight of having fun a little bit and that’s a big key in playing this game. It’s still a game and with all the stuff that goes into it it’s still a game. That’s something I’m going to reiterate to the team a lot this year is having fun and loving what you’re doing.”

… on Jon Vilma getting traded …
“I was a little bit hurt about seeing my guy go. Everybody knows that’s my main man, that’s my ace. It was a difficult process at first but him, he’s in a good situation for himself and I’m happy for him to be there with a chance to improve himself and make plays like he does.”

… on Vilma’s and the 3-4 …
“Him and the system didn’t get along that well. It was a difficult situation for him. He’s a 4-3 guy, and that’s what he is. He has a chance to go to New Orleans and have that chance again. It wasn’t a bitter breakup between the two, it was a mutual thing. So this is a chance for him to move on and make some plays for himself.”

… on filling Vilma’s leadership role …
“As far as being a leader, I’ve always been that anyway. I’m trying to improve on that. It definitely opens the door a little more for me to be more of a vocal guy because he (Vilma) was the guy in the huddle that everybody looked up to. I called him The General. He was the guy who took control in the huddle. There’s definitely opportunities and room for me to grow in that area, and I’ll definitely try to do that. I’m trying to do that now as the offseason program goes on here.”

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