This in-depth analysis is Exhibit A on why Patrick Peterson should be focused 100% on developing his cornerback skills while Ted Ginn assumes the punt return duties in 2014 IMO. I'm not saying Patrick doesn't work hard. I'm saying the focus of his work effort in the next 12 months should be on becoming an elite cornerback.It is in his own best interest as he looks for a new contract over the next 12-18 months.
Just a cursory look at the analysis shows that Patrick tends to dominate inferior receivers while providing average coverage of better receivers as this excerpt of the one of the Seahawk games indicates...
Against Jermaine Kearse, the inexperienced third/fourth option for the Seahawks, Peterson was able to initiate contact and take away his space on a sideline route. Kearse never looked to fight Peterson for position, instead he just ran where Peterson guided him to.
On the other hand, Golden Tate, a more refined and experienced receiver, was able to easily knock Peterson’s jam attempt aside to release into his route. Peterson’s technique with receivers at the line of scrimmage is consistently poor.
He only ever extends his outside arm to make contact with the receiver and his corresponding foot always follows with the other one trailing behind. This makes it easy for receivers to swim to the outside or simply release inside.
This game showed off a lot of who Peterson is at this stage of his career. He was able to overwhelm the less refined receiver Jermaine Kearse, while he went back and forth with Golden Tate throughout the game.
