Ray Rhodes saw all the qualities years ago.
The former NFL head coach and long-time defensive assistant recalled how a kid named Marquand Manuel, who played under Rhodes when he was the defensive coordinator in Seattle, used to arrive at the facility well before anyone else to dissect film. Rhodes remembered how Manuel, a safety from Florida, would remain on the field after practice trying to perfect his skills. And Rhodes remembered how Manuel wasn’t afraid to keep teammates afterward to make certain they understand the nuances of the defense.
So it came as no surprise to Rhodes when Manuel, at age 37, was named the new defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons under head coach Dan Quinn.