Arians: Bethel As Talented As Peterson

[PDXChris]

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said the team is “very solid” at cornerback when he spoke with azcardinals.com’s Darren Urban, citing Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers and Tyrann Mathieu, who showed playmaking ability before suffering torn knee ligaments. However, Arians raised eyebrows by identifying third-year man Justin Bethel, who made the Pro Bowl as a special teams player, as a potential breakout candidate.

“I think the guy who really should make the big move is Justin Bethel,” said Arians. “He’s as talented probably as Patrick. He just has to start believing it and play corner the way he plays special teams and we’ll really be set back there.”

http://www.profootballrumors.com/arians-bethel-talented-peterson/

Does he feel we are set at CB then?

 

[Finito]

Interesting. Bethel obviously has allot of natural talent but he hasn't been able to do anything other than special teams. I'd still draft a corner in round 3 if baptiste or purifoy is there

 

[BigRedRage]

So Bethel is Bo JAckson Reincarnate too?

its funny the things our guys say. I am a huge Bethel supporter and hope he can become a solid guy in our program but I think his praise is a huge leap that put a huge amount of pressure on Justin.

 

[Goldfield]

I agree athletically.

 

[Chopper0080]

I think Bethel is going to get some defensive reps before he is free agent so the Cardinals can help determine his worth to the team. Probably means that we will add two CBs this offseason rather than adding three. The Cardinals want to see if they can get this athlete on the field defensively.

 

[Duckjake]

Is Bethel talented enough and have the skillset to replace Mathieu? That would be great insurance in case TM isn't ready in September.

 

[Chopper0080]

Is Bethel talented enough and have the skillset to replace Mathieu? That would be great insurance in case TM isn't ready in September.

No. He is more athletic than Mathieu but Mathieu's instincts are the best, possibly, on our entire defense which is what makes him special. If Bethel had Mathieu's feel for the game and instincts, he would be a better corner than Peterson. What the hope should be is Bethel developing into a taller, faster version of Jerraud Powers.

 

[CFLredzoned]

Justin brought this up at the end of the season, when Wolfley asked him how his exit interview went. Said they want to see him take the next step and apply his talents to defense. I'm surprised that BA went public with it. Then again, everybody handles these things differently. Definitely high risk, high reward. Maybe that's how you win championships. Taking risks.

 

[Russ Smith]

he strikes me as more of a track athlete than a football player. He's very good on special teams absolutely, but in the main parts of the game he's never played nearly as well as his athletic ability suggests he might.

I hope he can soon, but he's not done it yet and I have to assume there's a reason 2 different DC's have chosen to not put him in the field that much on defense.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

No. He is more athletic than Mathieu but Mathieu's instincts are the best, possibly, on our entire defense which is what makes him special. If Bethel had Mathieu's feel for the game and instincts, he would be a better corner than Peterson. What the hope should be is Bethel developing into a taller, faster version of Jerraud Powers.

I wholeheartedly disagree. Mathieu might arguably be the most athletic player on the team.

 

[Krangodnzr]

he strikes me as more of a track athlete than a football player. He's very good on special teams absolutely, but in the main parts of the game he's never played nearly as well as his athletic ability suggests he might.

I hope he can soon, but he's not done it yet and I have to assume there's a reason 2 different DC's have chosen to not put him in the field that much on defense.

I don't know if the sample size is there to estimate how he'd play. Sometimes you'll see a guy (James Harrison) who was cut by multiple organizations before finally getting playing time.

Bethel needs to be more than just a special teamer, and even if it's not as a starter. Based on the eyeball, test it really comes down to technique with him; I view his potential in the above average starter category.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I wholeheartedly disagree. Mathieu might arguably be the most athletic player on the team.

By what litmus? Speed? no. Strength? no. Quickness? no.

Mathieu is the most skilled football player on the team, but far from the best athlete.

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't know if the sample size is there to estimate how he'd play. Sometimes you'll see a guy (James Harrison) who was cut by multiple organizations before finally getting playing time.

Bethel needs to be more than just a special teamer, and even if it's not as a starter. Based on the eyeball, test it really comes down to technique with him; I view his potential in the above average starter category.

Well Harrison was the classic tweener he was too short to be a DE but not quick enough to be a LB. Pittsburgh found the perfect role for him and he was great.

Bethel is not a tweener, he has the size to play either S or CB, he's just not yet good enough to do it. I don't want to let him go either but I do think there's a reason 2 different DC's have chosen to not play him very much even with the issues we had at S last year.

he was a S when we picked him, we kind of moved him to CB last year. I think he's a much better athlete than he is a football player right now, I hope we keep him and develop him, I don't see the need to move on from him if he doesn't make that next step. He's so valuable as a ST guy you can always just play him there. If he wants more money, then yeah he better learn to play CB or S.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

By what litmus? Speed? no. Strength? no. Quickness? no.

Mathieu is the most skilled football player on the team, but far from the best athlete.

Change of direction, yes. Instincts, yes. Football IQ yes. An athlete isn't just gauged on this physical attributes. Again, this is why I said arguably.

Mathieu is a better athlete than Bethel and arguably better than Peterson IMO. That is what I am discussing.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I think Arians saying that Bethel is as talented as Peterson is more like him saying Levi is an elite LT. It might be lip service, it might be motivational.

 

[Mitch]

I think Arians saying that Bethel is as talented as Peterson is more like him saying Levi is an elite LT. It might be lip service, it might be motivational.

It clearly is motivational. We all can see Bethel's impressive athleticism and aggressiveness. The question is whether he can hone the proper techniques and attain a firm grasp of the defense. The answer to that question is anyone's guess, including BA's---which BA conceded as well.

I am a big believer in the power of suggestion---it sure worked in Seattle with QB Russell Wilson. Pete Carroll was talking him up from day one and dangled the carrot in front of him. Wilson went and snatched that carrot and has never looked back.

BA is the first to deliver the truth to players as well, But there is much to be gained by suggesting to a player that he could be special if he puts in the effort and commitment. You have to dream it first, right?

 

[cardncubfan]

Bethel is also from a small school so his learning curve to the NFL might be a bit longer.

 

[Catfish]

Mitch, while I agree with your assessment concerning Bethel, and BA's pointing him in the right direction, I wonder; could this be BA's way of getting ready to deal with football without Peterson? For some reason, I cannot shake the thought of Peterson holding out this season, and this may be the way BA is preparing for that eventuality, (by preparing Bethel to be his #1 corner), irrespective of the draft or free agency.

 

[Chopper0080]

Change of direction, yes. Instincts, yes. Football IQ yes. An athlete isn't just gauged on this physical attributes. Again, this is why I said arguably.

Mathieu is a better athlete than Bethel and arguably better than Peterson IMO. That is what I am discussing.

Athleticism...
involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina.

No where is that definition does it mention intelligence or instincts.

 

[Chopper0080]

By what litmus? Speed? no. Strength? no. Quickness? no.

Mathieu is the most skilled football player on the team, but far from the best athlete.

Yeah...I didn't get that either.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Change of direction, yes. Instincts, yes. Football IQ yes. An athlete isn't just gauged on this physical attributes. Again, this is why I said arguably.

Mathieu is a better athlete than Bethel and arguably better than Peterson IMO. That is what I am discussing.

Still disagree. Mathieu is a better football player than Peterson on the intangible, mental aspects of the game, while Peterson is better at every measureable aspect of the game.

I still think that if someone is even an average athlete, that if they have elite mental skills, it's much better than just being a great athlete.

Bethel has better physical skills than Mathieu, and he has at least shown elite awareness as a special teamer.

 

[Jetstream Green]

It clearly is motivational. We all can see Bethel's impressive athleticism and aggressiveness. The question is whether he can hone the proper techniques and attain a firm grasp of the defense. The answer to that question is anyone's guess, including BA's---which BA conceded as well.

I am a big believer in the power of suggestion---it sure worked in Seattle with QB Russell Wilson. Pete Carroll was talking him up from day one and dangled the carrot in front of him. Wilson went and snatched that carrot and has never looked back.

BA is the first to deliver the truth to players as well, But there is much to be gained by suggesting to a player that he could be special if he puts in the effort and commitment. You have to dream it first, right?

I will argue Wilson had a higher completion ratio than Luck or RGIII in college and whether the rest of the nation wanted to ignore him or no matter what Carroll did, Wilson has continued to achieve just as he has done in college by his own motivation. That little midget was confident before he ever put that Seahawk jersey on lol

 

[Darkside]

Bethel is also from a small school so his learning curve to the NFL might be a bit longer.

This was my thought as well. He wasn't exposed to NFL style offenses or defenses or even level of talent. He has the athletic gifts but not the football IQ yet. Good news is that you can teach what he's lacking if you're patient (and they have been).

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[Mitch]

Mitch, while I agree with your assessment concerning Bethel, and BA's pointing him in the right direction, I wonder; could this be BA's way of getting ready to deal with football without Peterson? For some reason, I cannot shake the thought of Peterson holding out this season, and this may be the way BA is preparing for that eventuality, (by preparing Bethel to be his #1 corner), irrespective of the draft or free agency.

I really don't think Peterson will hold out. That's not his style. Not when his boy Badger is working so hard to be back. They want to win too much. Plus, it's not like Peterson will be relegated to dining on Ramen noodles---his $5.8M figure this year isn't all too shabby, is it?

 

[Darkside]

I really don't think Peterson will hold out. That's not his style. Not when his boy Badger is working so hard to be back. They want to win too much. Plus, it's not like Peterson will be relegated to dining on Ramen noodles---his $5.8M figure this year isn't all too shabby, is it?

You're possibly right but I don't think we should underestimate how good Peterson thinks he is. He isn't calling himself the best corner in the game for no reason. He's not doing it to brag either. He said it for leverage.

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