The NFL Combine next week is when the rumors/trade talks really start to crank up and I hope AZ General Manager Steve Keim is listening, not hearing, when those conversations come around pertaining to CB Patrick Peterson.

It's time, folks to forget the facade that PP is still an elite corner and grant his on/off wishes to leave the team and see the door hit him on the way out.

I wrote about it https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2020/1/5/21050832/patrick-peterson-trade-inevitable-this-offseason

and I'm still convinced that NOW ( and even last season when the first rounder and Nelson Agholor was discussed) that the team is wasting time on getting value for Peterson. Team would save 12.5 mil if trading him and his salary, while not being the greatest for a one year - rental is not outta reality. That's 12.5 that could go for a Dline starter or LB. It would create a hole, yes, but that's what Keim traded for Alford for though. (Sidenote: Alford one of 3 CBs currently signed after the age of 32 when skills usually erode.)

Peterson will be 30 this season and struggled mightily until the last 3 games when all of sudden he found his Rod Tidwell chi and discovered he wanted the Cardinals or whatever team to show him the money. He was suspended for 6 games , not the 4 for PED use, but an extra 2 for using a masking agent to try to cover up his first illegal indiscretion. Then he had the pomposity to ask the team to cover up his suspension costs and when denied - cried for a trade. He later rescinded after the voice of reason was against him and claimed he wanted to follow Larry Fitzgerald's path and be "a leader and face of the franchise". Something that is impossible for him to achieve.

While Larry had the domestic violence charge against him early in his career, he has become the poster child of the NFL - even sharing Man of the Year with Eli Manning. He has progressed to become the idol he is today. Conversely, while Patrick started out strong maturely, marrying early, doting on daughter, being Pro Bowl 8 seasons to start his career - he seems to be regressing. No longer is he considered skills-wise to be the best man cover. And only Charles Woodson, Aqib Talib and Peanut Tillman made All Pro after 30. While Fitz appears he will go on top and first time HOF candidate, Patrick seems to be descending with his petulant attitude towards tackling and the Cardinals.

To be frank, Peterson will always be Fitz's shadow and the younger brother that can never fill the older brother's shoes.

Just hope Keim listens to those footsteps and whispers in the hallway next week and reacts accordingly.