Why Patrick Peterson isn't one of our top-ranked CBs

[Jetstream Green]

It's hilarious to me that a lot of the same people who are braying about Peterson being overpaid for "merely" being a Top 10 cornerback are the ones who say "F--- off, Fitz can get however much he wants; he's getting 1200 yards and 15 TDs this year, for sure!"

Peterson is an elite physical talent and football player, but (right now) an above-average cornerback. In 2014's down year, he still ranked 19th among all corners in success percentage.

PFF's game charting is poo; I've been pretty consistent in that POV for a while. What it doesn't note is that Peterson NEVER gets help over the top from a safety; he doesn't get to leverage pressure to the middle of the field where there's a linebacker in zone coverage. He's consistently left on an island with at two-way go, and he's consistently stepped up to the plate against the top competition.

This 21 times

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The same players that had Adam Vinateri & Joe Flacco over Calais?

Yes, I trust the people that actually play the game to tell me whom the elite players are over some website.

 

[Shane]

I hope they keep throwing in his direction.

I don't gets burned way too much for big plays

 

[b8rtm8nn]

So, many players in this league you can say that about.

Would it had been better the Cardinals let him go to another team? Do people think he would not have gotten this type of money somewhere else ?

Just wondering.

Nah, I would have paid him a lot too. I just didn't think he was worth $70mil, but then I looked at OverTheCap, and given the low guarantee - I change my mind

This guy is definitely worth this contract! Shows what happens when you let a Joe Blow fan like me judge a guy by a total contract number.

http://overthecap.com/position/cornerback/

 

[Russ Smith]

I think he'll move to safety in the same way that Charles Woodson has moved to safety, not Antrel Rolle.

If Peterson is still playing 8 years from now, he'll be a safety.

Charles Woodson might be one of the most underrated players in NFL history.

Woodson is insane. He's still a good player at his age, it's uncanny.

I would have loved us to somehow pick him up at some point he'd be such a great role model for PP and HB and the younger guys on how to take care of yourself and prepare for games etc.

He's a first ballot HOFer IMO.

If he ever retires.

 

[TJ]

It's hilarious to me that a lot of the same people who are braying about Peterson being overpaid for "merely" being a Top 10 cornerback are the ones who say "F--- off, Fitz can get however much he wants; he's getting 1200 yards and 15 TDs this year, for sure!"

Peterson is an elite physical talent and football player, but (right now) an above-average cornerback. In 2014's down year, he still ranked 19th among all corners in success percentage.

PFF's game charting is poo; I've been pretty consistent in that POV for a while. What it doesn't note is that Peterson NEVER gets help over the top from a safety; he doesn't get to leverage pressure to the middle of the field where there's a linebacker in zone coverage. He's consistently left on an island with at two-way go, and he's consistently stepped up to the plate against the top competition.

I think some people are starting to come back to reality w/r/t Fitz and understand that he's, at the very best, top 25 in this league at his position.

For PP, it gets overlooked that he has a ton of responsibility on a defense reliant on exotic blitz packages, which also use safeties in the box. So he truly gets no help. Comparing to Seattle's defense, Sherman, while he's still a great DB, gets a ton of help from Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Plus, that front line can get to the quarterback with little need to send extra defenders.

PP does have areas in which he can improve, such as being less physical with receivers so is not to draw PI flags, but it's hard to really indicate that he's not a Top 10 at worst CB in this league with even more potential for growth and development. I'm also curious as to how his weight loss and having his blood sugar levels managed will help him this season.

 

[vince56]

last year patrick played left rather than covering the #1 only.

Right, and until we have an all-world FS like Earl Thomas which allows you to play deep cover 3 every play, I think the comparisons to Richard Sherman should stop. Seattle has a clear advantage there.

Peterson needs to up his game, he knows that, and these rumor of him returning punts should have us all worried for his health and continued performance this season on defense.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

I've always thought PP was overrated, he is grossly overpaid IMO.
I pretty much agree with everything in the article.



That being said, we could do much worse.

 

[dreday]

He above average but not elite. He's not as good as he says he is.

 

[EndZone]

PP21 Sucks. #Toast I wish they would trade him. All this hype and get gets burned constantly.

 

[DVontel]

I've always thought PP was overrated, he is grossly overpaid IMO.
I pretty much agree with everything in the article.



That being said, we could do much worse.

We could also do better.

But who knows?

 

[jbeecham]

Our defense changed going from Horton to Bowles... Horton's teams seemed to limit passing yards, but gave up a lot of rushing yards. Bowles locked down the rushing yards, but gave up more passing. The different defensive approach could shed a lot of light on why PP looked great in 2011 & 2012, but not so great in 2013 & 2014 (along with medical reasons).

2011 - Gave up 1986 rushing yards (124 ypg), 3696 passing (231 ypg)
2012 - 2192 rushing (137 ypg), 3213 passing (201 ypg)
2013 - 1351 rushing (84.4 ypg), 3728 passing (233 ypg)
2014 - 1739 rushing (108.7 ypg), 4152 passing (259.5 ypg)

Obviously the 2014 #s got inflated after Palmer & Stanton went down & our offense couldn't stay on the field.

 

[TJ]

Brees attempted 48 passes, with only two thrown towards Peterson. Only catch allowed was the 30 yarder to Cooks.

PP21 did a really good job in coverage.

 

[Chopper0080]

It's hilarious to me that a lot of the same people who are braying about Peterson being overpaid for "merely" being a Top 10 cornerback are the ones who say "F--- off, Fitz can get however much he wants; he's getting 1200 yards and 15 TDs this year, for sure!"

Peterson is an elite physical talent and football player, but (right now) an above-average cornerback. In 2014's down year, he still ranked 19th among all corners in success percentage.

PFF's game charting is poo; I've been pretty consistent in that POV for a while. What it doesn't note is that Peterson NEVER gets help over the top from a safety; he doesn't get to leverage pressure to the middle of the field where there's a linebacker in zone coverage. He's consistently left on an island with at two-way go, and he's consistently stepped up to the plate against the top competition.

Agreed. You can't keep young, developing talent and expect not to have to pay for future performance. Peterson had a great game vs Cooks, and looks much quicker out of his breaks. Media can tout him however they like, I would rather have Peterson on this team than not especially at his current price.

My question is, if you think Peterson is overpaid, how do you feel about Calais Campbell? You can make the same arguments against both guys.

 

[SO91]

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/status/643801669789061120

 

[MrYeahBut]

PP had a really nice interview on Jim Rome today. Talked about how they've moved from a team that wants to win to a team that expects to win, how everyone is held accountable, how good he feels about the team, how he feels great physically now that he's made changes to his diet because of diabetes, his $1m donation to LSU, his relationship with Tyrann and how he's changed his life...etc. Whether your opinion is he's overrated or not, he's a great spokesman for the organization. Good stuff, imo.

 

[Cheesebeef]

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/status/643801669789061120

my god... as bad as the field looked in person, it looks even worse on screen.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Peterson is a top 10 CB at the very least. For what is asked of him he does an exceptional job considering the defense we run. And frankly, I do not know of one player that is considered in the elite conversation which is not overpaid lol

 

[sunsfan88]

100% overrated around here and certainly isn't worth the contract he signed.... Good player but not elite in anyway....

Agreed. People are in love with his speed, return skills and athleticism hence how overrated he gets. Reminds me of Antonio Cromartie back during his prime Chargers years.

You could make a case that Peterson isn't even the best player in the Cardinals secondary right now, Matheiu is.

 

[Phrazbit]

Anyone who thinks Peterson is grossly overpaid or merely "above average" has no idea the burden our defense is designed to place on his shoulders. There is no other player in the entire league who carries the weight he does in the secondary.

 

[Big Deal]

If only we had drafted him.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

my god... as bad as the field looked in person, it looks even worse on screen.

Yeah.. wtf happened to the field?

Did they leave it in the toaster too long?
Inexcusable for game 1!!!

 

[Shane]

Yeah.. wtf happened to the field?

Did they leave it in the toaster too long?
Inexcusable for game 1!!!

Because these idiots decided to hold training camp in the stadium chewing it to hell right before the season