Cardinals CB Justin Bethel accepts life in quarterbacks’ crosshairs

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel is facing an inescapable reality as his team prepares for the NFL playoffs.

Jan 8, 2016, 9:30 AM

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

TEMPE, Ariz. — Cornerback Justin Bethel is facing an inescapable reality as the Cardinals prepare for the NFL playoffs.

“When you play opposite of Patrick Peterson, the ball is coming over there,” defensive coordinator James Bettcher said. “It doesn’t matter who you are.

“People threw the ball over there when (Antonio) Cro(martie) was over there. At the level Pat is playing the position right now, that’s just the reality.”

.@RealPeterson21 is all alone on the #P2Peninsula.

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— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 29, 2015

Bethel has seen it firsthand. While Peterson hasn’t faced more than seven targets in a game this season and has faced just 65 all season (4.1 per game), according to Pro Football Focus, Bethel was peppered the last two weeks by the Packers and Seahawks in the wake of Tyrann Mathieu’s season-ending ACL tear in Week 15.

Bethel held up well against the Packers, recording a big pass breakup and an interception in the end zone of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Like most of his teammates, last week against Seattle was a different story.

He allowed a 45-yard completion to Tyler Lockett, he gave up a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse, and to add insult to injury, Seahawks running back Christine Michael stiff-armed him to the ground.

“That last game definitely wasn’t my best but in the scheme of things — my whole body of work since I’ve been in …” Bethel said, “I feel like I’ve done pretty good.”

Veteran corner Jerraud Powers said grading Bethel’s performance requires a trained eye that is often lacking when outsiders assess his play.

“He’s got so many people in his ear from coaches to the Twitter thugs and Instagram thugs all attacking him,” Powers said. “You give up a 10-yard catch and they think you’re the worst corner in the league. Then Pat breaks up a 3-yard slant and they’re like ‘why can’t you do it like Pat does?’

“You look at that catch with Lockett on the post. I think somebody had a still shot picture of it and his hand is right there on the ball. It just doesn’t come out. Sometimes, it’s going to be like that. As long as he keeps competing and is in position he’s going to be fine; he’s going to be a hell of a player.”

Powers said that with the sheer number of balls being thrown Bethel’s way, he’s going to give up some plays.

“It’s an offensive league,” Powers said. “Corner is probably the hardest position to play besides quarterback. You can’t touch a guy after five yards and everything is to the refs’ discretion whether you’re doing something wrong.”

Bethel looks at the heavy workload in a different light.

“It’s a high-risk, high-reward thing,” he said. “The more chances they throw at you, the more chances you get to make a play, make an interception.”

Bettcher hasn’t had any issues with Bethel’s preparation, work ethic and intensity.

“I think he’s competed well,” Bettcher said. “There’s some technique things that he’ll continue to clean up. The more snaps he plays, the better he’ll be.”

Bethel insists his confidence hasn’t been shaken by last week’s performance, but he is taking coach Bruce Arians words to heart about getting too tired on the field.

“This week, I’m trying to run a little extra so I am not as winded while working on fundamentals and technique because I know it’s coming,” Bethel said. “Even if they aren’t throwing at me, I always figure it’s a pass play and it’s going to come at me. As a DB, you have to prepare that way just so you’re not caught off guard and I don’t plan on getting caught off guard.”

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