Don't call the Vikings' defense 'elite,' cautions Xavier Rhodes
Cornerback Xavier Rhodes executed perfect press coverage on a reporter’s tossup question Monday about optimism and the 6-2 Vikings. The inquiry, not unlike an opposing receiver, was jammed at the line.
“Too early,” Rhodes said.
The Vikings returned from the bye week to ramp up preparations for Sunday’s game in Washington, where last year the Vikings’ stout defenders allowed 26 points and 388 yards in a loss. So until the Vikings shut down offenses in the NFC playoffs, Rhodes doesn’t want to hear superlatives like “elite” about their defense. They heard plenty of all-time great comparisons after last year’s 5-0 start, which ended in watching the Lions and Packers make the playoffs.
“We can say that when it’s Week 17, the season is over and we’re in the playoffs and we’re going for the Super Bowl,” Rhodes said. “That’s when we can say we’re an elite defense. Right now, we’re still just trying to establish ourselves.”
http://www.startribune.com/don-t-call-the-vikings-defense-elite-cautions-xavier-rhodes/455676633/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I like this because it shows growth and maturity. They are learning not to get caught up in the hype just go out there and take care of business.
anybody calling them elite has to be new to the game.... I love our defense, but they are not any where near elite. I would only call a small handful of defenses over the history of the game elite.
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