Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this past season but was absent from the Associated Press All-Pro first and second team for 2017. And he’s not happy about that. Not one little bit.
Peterson was asked if his two interceptions at the Pro Bowl made up for the snub in any way.
“No, that definitely didn’t make up for not making the All-Pro team because All-Pro is something I put all my hard work and effort towards throughout the week and throughout the season, to receive that nomination,” he said, per Bob McManaman of azcentral sports.
Peterson put up jaw-dropping numbers this year in terms of his effectiveness as a cornerback. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 26 receptions on 60 targets for 394 yards and four touchdowns, and His 21.2 cover snaps per receptions were second-best among NFL cornerbacks.
Not surprisingly, he feels “disrespected” at being snubbed by the AP.
“I definitely feel (disrespected) at times because I’ve been doing what I do as long as probably anybody in the league,” Peterson said. “The only guy I’d probably say that has done it as long or longer is a guy I definitely look up to and always watch his games, Darrelle Revis.
“He did it week in, week out for years since he was a rookie. I did the same exact same thing since day one and it seems as though when I don’t give up catches or I don’t give up big plays, it’s like, ‘Oh, he’s supposed to do that.’ But if I happen to give up a big play it’s front page. It’s like, ‘What’s wrong?’ You know what I mean?”
Peterson said the snub has “definitely put a chip on my shoulder,” which should scare the heck out of NFC West receivers and quarterbacks, as if they weren’t scared enough already. After all, Peterson wasn’t targeted often last year, and for good reason.
“What, I’ve got to put a billboard up that says, ‘Try me?’ or something like that? I may have to, I don’t know. I may have to channel my inner Deion (Sanders).”
We look forward to seeing what Peterson does next year.
He and the Arizona Cardinals have some serious work to do after a couple of mediocre campaigns that finished without playoff appearances. And now they’ll be doing it with a rookie head coach in Steve Wilks (Peterson is a big fan of the hire) and a new quarterback, who is yet to be determined.