Arizona Cardinals: 5 players who need to improve

Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (right) dives as Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr catches a pass in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Ravens 26-18. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Peterson

Peterson has gone back to his dual duties of cornerback and punt returner.  I’m not sure that has helped any to be honest.  He has struggled at times with both.

He has 19 tackles through the first eight games, which is well below his pace from a year ago.  He had 50 tackles last season in 16 starts and many people thought he had his worst season in 2014.

He does have two interceptions so far this season but you could hardly say either pick was spectacular.  He’s been burned on several illegal contact penalties that have allowed opponents to extend drives.  It happened again this past week against the Browns.

He also has been burned in coverage.  Against the Chicago Bears he allowed a rookie receiver to get by him for his first ever touchdown and when I say blow by him, I mean no one was within 25-yards of the man.  It was confirmed it was Peterson who blew the coverage.

As a punt returner I still scratch my head sometimes.  He called for a fair catch inside the 10-yard line and no one was within 10 yards of him this past Sunday.  Then in another case he caught the ball and tried to run but only was able to dive a couple of yards out of bounds.  He is averaging eight yards per return, which is 19th amongst the top 20 returners in the NFL.

I still hold out hope though he will be back to the all-star caliber player we all know he can be.  I’d still take him back there as a corner or returning punts over many other guys.  All it takes sometimes is one big play.  Let’s hope we see it.  Peterson has the right attitude and definitely the skills to make it happen.