MINNEAPOLIS -- Now that we're through a full regular season, and we've got 256 games worth of data on the NFL's 2014 officiating points of emphasis, ESPN's Kevin Seifert (with the help of ESPN Stats & Information) took a look at the league's approach to defensive holding and illegal contact as it compared to 2013.

It shouldn't be surprising that instances of those penalties were up significantly in 2014. It probably also shouldn't be surprising that the Minnesota Vikings -- with young cornerback Xavier Rhodes -- were among the teams cited for those infractions the most.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Vikings were penalized for illegal contact and defensive holding a combined 21 times, which tied San Diego for the third-highest total in the league (behind Cleveland with 23 and Indianapolis with 22). Rhodes was liable for six of the Vikings' 14 defensive holding penalties, and two of their seven illegal contact calls. He was flagged more than anyone else on the team for both penalties, and finished the year tied for ninth in the league with 12 total penalties (including one on special teams).

Coach Mike Zimmer has talked about the Vikings' continuing work with Rhodes to refine his press technique, and as well as Rhodes fared in man coverage this season, penalties are occasionally going to be part of the cost of doing business. As Zimmer said in November, "We don't want to have those, but some guys probably aren't close enough to get penalties."

Still, the Vikings will keep coaching Rhodes on how to walk the line between playing physically and committing penalties, and he'll continue to learn what he can do in a league that is watching cornerbacks closer than ever. It's encouraging Rhodes only had three of his 11 defensive penalties in the second half of the season. But if the league continues to monitor defensive contact like it did in 2014 -- it called 493 illegal contact and defensive holding penalties in 2014, up from 285 in 2013 -- Rhodes and the Vikings will have to remain vigilant.