Doug Baldwin singles out Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson as toughest CB matchup
Jun 1, 2017, 7:56 AM | Updated: 4:59 pm
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) runs with the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
There’s no denying it, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is one of the best cornerbacks in the National Football League.
He’s got six Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro selections during his time in the league to back it up. Peterson has also been the least targeted cornerback in the league for the last two seasons, a show of respect from opposing offenses around the league.
He got more respect Wednesday.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, appearing on Brock and Salk with Brock Huard and Mike Salk on ESPN 710 in Seattle, was asked who the toughest cornerback to gain separation on is. Baldwin didn’t hesitate in answering.
“Right now, if it’s not Richard Sherman on my own team, it’s got to be Patrick Peterson,” Baldwin said. “He causes the most issues for me just because of his athleticism. Any move I give him, even if I do win at the line of scrimmage, he’s so athletic that he can recover so quickly.”
Baldwin, the Seahawks’ leading receiver over each of the last three seasons, sees a steady diet of Peterson when the division foes meet up. Peterson is usually tasked with covering the opponent’s number-one receiver each week. However that wasn’t the case last season in a Week 16 matchup in Seattle. Peterson spent much of the day shadowing Paul Richardson and Jermaine Kearse while Baldwin feasted on Arizona’s Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams. Baldwin finished the day with career-highs in targets (19), catches (13) and yards (171).
As Brady Henderson of MyNorthwest.com pointed out, only a little of that massive production came against Peterson.
In fact, I went back and watched all 19 targets (yes, 19) Baldwin had in the Seahawks’ second meeting against Arizona last season, a 34-31 Cardinals win in Seattle on Christmas Eve. Baldwin caught 13 passes for 171 yards (both career-highs, as were the 19 targets) and a touchdown in that game.
Interestingly, Peterson, by my count, was only lined up across from him on three of those 19 plays, which resulted in three receptions for 51 yards.
Expect to see Peterson across from Baldwin a lot more during the two games between the teams in 2017.
