Being first is an important step for the Arizona Cardinals

Two things were apparent during Wednesday’s Patrick Peterson press conference:

First, Peterson really, really wanted to be the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. I have no problem with anyone wanting to be the highest paid anything in their chosen field. Plus, he was thorough in pointing out that he has higher aspirations than money and quickly noted his mission to end the playoff drought that the Cards are in.

So I’m cool with that.

Second, the Cardinals pointing out — rightfully so — that Peterson was the first member of the first round of the 2011 Draft to get a lucrative extension.

Not A.J. Green. Not J.J. Watt. Not Robert Quinn or Cam Newton.

The entire industry was waiting and watching to see how teams would treat the stars of that class given there was no rush. All the first rounders of that class had a fifth-year option that muted any urgency the teams would have in extending the deals.

Yet the Cardinals were the first. Are the Cardinals, dare I say, cutting edge?

Look, we buried the “Same Old Cardinals” years ago. I remember doing a bit on the air, a eulogy and funeral for the SOC shortly after the Super Bowl. Larry Fitzgerald laughed at the local media Wednesday when he pointed out that yes, he can personally assure us the Cardinals are not a cheap organization.

I’m not suggesting they’re the best organization in the game or that they’ll win the Super Bowl.

But the transformation from where they were to where they are floors guys like me who are old enough to remember how things used to be.

The Cardinals should be proud of the fact they were the first.

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