Justin Bethel Ready For Starting Role
Coming into camp prior to the 2017 season, cornerback Justin Bethel is looking to be more than just a special teams player.
Word around the campfire early on is that Justin Bethel wants to be a starting NFL cornerback. That position, opposite Patrick Peterson, is one the Cardinals desperately need to address before September 10, when they kick things off in Detroit against the Lions.
During his first five seasons with the Cardinals, Bethel has been an excellent player on special teams. The Presbyterian College product has been selected to 3 Pro Bowls during his tenure, making him the first Pro Bowler in the school’s history.
I’m sure adding another Pro Bowl, as a cornerback, might be next on his list. First, though, the sixth-year player needs to seize his opportunity and lock down the number 2 CB position during camp.
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Brandon Williams is also vying for that starting role, but early on it seems that it’s Bethel’s job to lose. The only variable at this point would be the potential signing of veteran Brandon Flowers, who is set to workout for the Cardinals today.
Making plays early in camp should work in his favor moving forward. On Monday, he intercepted a pass and seemed to be all over the backfield. His head coached seemed to take notice. “Justin has had good days everyday,” Arians said. “He’s learning to get amnesia.” In the past, he has let failures get the best of him and affect his play on the field.
James Bettcher would love nothing more than to have his unit clicking on all cylinders when the season starts. For a team that relies heavily on the blitz and man-coverage, having a reliable No. 2 man on the outside will only make things easier for the young coordinator.
As our own Jim Koch recently wrote, “the number-two cornerback position may be the only thing standing in the way of a Super Bowl triumph.” I’m certainly inclined to agree with him.