Being first is an important step for the Arizona Cardinals

Jul 31, 2014, 8:07 PM | Updated: 10:35 pm
Follow @Burnsy987...

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.

Arizona Cardinals

Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona keeps the No. 3 pick

Trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That's the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will answer soon enough.
1 day ago
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the...
Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees logical landing spot for Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins

The trade speculation surrounding Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rolls on with each passing day of the offseason.
1 day ago
Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
2 days ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
2 days ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
2 days ago
Being first is an important step for the Arizona Cardinals