Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was one of the NFL’s best rookies last season, but that was because of what he did on special teams, not what he did on defense. This season Peterson wants to change that.
Peterson, who tied the NFL record for punt return touchdowns in a season with four last year, told Jim Rome on Rome that his goal for the 2012 season is to become one of the league’s elite cornerbacks in addition to being one of the league’s elite return men.
“I’m definitely looking to make a huge mark at the cornerback position,” Peterson said. “I’m definitely looking to make my mark as a shutdown corner this year.”
Peterson talked about the way covering Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald in practice has prepared him for covering the best receivers in the NFL, and he said he believes he’s going to be capable of covering anyone he faces in his second season.
“I’m 10 times more comfortable and have 10 times more confidence in myself going into Year Two,” Peterson said.
Peterson clearly has the confidence to be an elite cornerback. And he has the talent, too.