With experience, Patrick Peterson gets his swagger back

Patrick Peterson is getting more comfortable.

After an amazing game-winning punt return in overtime and
strong defensive play all game against the St. Louis Rams,
the number five pick in the 2011 Draft appears be getting
the hang of professional football.

“With me taking the time to study with the defensive
secondary coach, studying with Adrian Wilson, the game has
slowed down tremendously for me,” Peterson said on Arizona
Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf.

It is scary to think that Peterson was unsatisfied with
where he was at the beginning of the season, considering
he played well for a rookie starter.

“I’m not going to blame it on the lockout, but you didn’t
have the chance to really see live bullets,” Peterson
said. “Not having an opportunity to really, really
practice and get my hands on the scheme, you know, it took
a little time for me.”

It was around week six, according to Peterson, for him to
feel confident with the speed of the NFL game.

“I told coach after that bye week I knew it was going to
come sooner or later,” Peterson said. “I just had an
opportunity to continue to study and continue to work to
be the best.”

Peterson credits practicing against Pro Bowl wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald as another reason for his progression.

“The whole lockout situation kind of set me a little bit
but once I got a hold of the game, once everything started
slowing down, I felt more comfortable, gained a lot more
confidence and got my swagger back that I had when I was
in college,” Peterson said.

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