Patrick Peterson Going To Work To Be A 'Shutdown Corner'

We have been waiting a long time for the NFL lockout to end, but we have not been the only ones. Yes, the players have been waiting (and now they are the reason for the waiting), but the newly drafted players are the ones who are most affected. They have no contract, they can't contact the team and they can't negotiate their first professional deal.

Arizona Cardinals top pick, cornerback Patrick Peterson, was on the Gambo and Ash show recently and discussed the lockout, a potential rookie contract and becoming the player he and Cardinals fans expect him to be. 

Before the draft, there was a lot of talk that Peterson might eventually have to move to safety to have maximum impact. We have heard him before say steadfastly that he is a cornerback. In fact, he has high hopes. He wishes to be a top-notch player. 

"I believe I have the potential," said Peterson. "I've never played an NFL game yet, thus far, or even been in an NFL practice, but those are definitely my goals, to go in and be a shutdown corner." 

These are the goals fans will love to hear about and he said that once he learned the system, he "should be OK." He also has a goal to not allow a single receiver to go over 100 yards against him. With the schedule the Cardinals have, he could be lined up opposite Chad Ochocinco, DeSean Jackson and Miles Austin. That will be quite a feat if he pulls it off (and plays enough to consider it an accomplishment).

With the chatter going around that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will traded, Peterson hopes that it is just a "rumor and something that don't come true," noting that he would love to play with another first round player who mae an impact early on. 

If that doesn't happen, he believes that he would benefit from a veteran cornerback as a teammate. "I believe a veteran would definitely brighten my horizon on the field because he's been there, done that," he explained. "I believe that would be key for me to help me learn it faster and to just go out there and play relaxed."

Is he worrying about his contract? "That's what I have an agent for," he explained. We know it will be less money than previous years picks, but hopefully his deal is negotiated quickly so he can get to camp on time and start his pro career.

Cardinals fans can't wait to see what he can do.