No longer will Patrick Peterson be involved in the Arizona Cardinals offense or special teams. Instead the Cardinals will limit Peterson solely to defensive snaps in 2014.
The Cardinals hope that by taking Peterson out of all equations of the game his fresh legs will allow for even better pass defense.
“You know me,” Peterson said. “If I had my choice, I wouldn’t come off the field.”
Of course his defensive boss feels a little better knowing that Peterson is now a defense only player.
“I know there’s less of a chance of him getting hurt without everyone chasing after him (on punt returns),” Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles said via the Arizona Republic. “That makes me happy.”
For what it is worth, Peterson seems to be taking it all in stride pointing to the addition of Ted Ginn as a reason for hi removal from special teams.
“It’s cool,” he said. “I’m not saying punt return (took) its toll on my body or made me less secure at the cornerback position because, obviously, I always like to be on the field at all times.
“But it’s cool. (Arians) has had players like me before who played both ways, who played at a high level at cornerback and played at a high level at the punt returner position. But now that we have guys who can help me, it won’t be as easy for guys to scheme against me.
“We have Ted Ginn, we picked up a rookie in the draft and we have me. Now they can’t just say, ‘OK, No. 21 is back there. We’re going to kick it away from him.’ “
