For the most part, there are two groups of people when it comes to the Richard Sherman debate: those who believe he is the best all-around cornerback in the league, and those who believe he is a product of a great Seattle Seahawks system. Arizona Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson has firmly planted himself in the latter category.
During an interview with Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday, Peterson said Sherman would not be able to handle the responsibilities he has in Arizona.
“Obviously his job is much easier than mine,” Peterson said. “If you look at their scheme and you look at our scheme, he’s a Cover-3 corner, period. A lot of guys say he’s a shutdown corner, but if you look at film and guys who understand the game, go back and look at film and see how his defense is.
“I believe if you put him in our system, I don’t think he’d be able to last, honestly, because I’m asked to do much more than he is.”
We have heard that argument about Sherman many times before, and it has some merit. Still, the Seahawks should know their system better than anyone else. And if they thought any average corner could come in and be as productive as Sherman, why would they have signed him to a four-year, $57 million extension earlier this offseason?
When Peterson was reminded that Pro Football Focus ranked him 16th in the NFL last year at the cornerback position and Sherman sixth, he stuck to his argument.
“That’s all fine and dandy, but he’s only covering space, he’s not really covering a guy,” Peterson replied. “At the end of the day he has great stats, he has great playmaking ability — I’m not taking that away from him because he is a good corner. But as far as being a shutdown corner, man-to-man guy, in my eyes, I don’t believe he’s that.”
Remember, Peterson is trying to get a contract that is somewhere in the neighborhood of the one Sherman got. His comments are more about business than anything.
