The Arizona Cardinals will use Patrick Peterson differently this season.
In the past, Peterson was used by the Cardinals to shadow the opposing team’s best receiver. That was a good way for the team to neutralize opposing offenses. But under new head coach Steve Wilks, he won’t exclusively be tasked with that assignment.
“The way I play is going to change a little bit,” Peterson said on Thursday, via the Arizona Republic’s Kent Somers. “I’m playing off the ball a little bit more. Now, I have to play with my eyes, play with vision.”
Wilks was previously a defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. He likes to be aggressive with blitzes and he tends to have his defense run zones.
By using Peterson differently, Wilks is hoping the 7-time Pro Bowler will be able to make more plays and interceptions similar to Richard Sherman, who covered the left side of the field for the Seahawks rather than shadow opponents.
Peterson had seven interceptions in his second season but has not topped three in a year since then. He only had one last season.
