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Patrick Peterson Says He Feels "Next In Line" To Be Franchise Cornerstone

Notes: Reddick back at practice; Kanoff released

Cornerback Patrick Peterson watches from the sideline during last weekend's game in Los Angeles.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson watches from the sideline during last weekend's game in Los Angeles.

Patrick Peterson's mood was upbeat Thursday, joking loudly with his fellow defensive backs in the locker room after practice.

And once the star cornerback met the media, a short while after Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders talked again how Peterson would want to leave Arizona, Peterson contradicted Sanders about as strongly as he could have.

Peterson said Sanders said what he felt but "I had nothing to do with that." And as Larry Fitzgerald made a brief appearance in Peterson's media scrum, Peterson said "I want to follow in that man's shoes."

"He's been here forever, 15 years, being a cornerstone of this Arizona Cardinals organization," Peterson added. "I feel like I'm next in line. So we'll see what happens."

Peterson said there was "no doubt" it would be special for him to finish his career with the Cardinals.

"What would be more special is to get us that championship here in the desert," Peterson said, "and that's my main focus. What I, being picked fifth overall (in 2011), wanted to bring to this city. That's still my goal."

Fitzgerald, who has good-naturedly jabbed Peterson about his early-season trade request, noted again with a grin that Sanders said Peterson would be elsewhere. But on a serious note, he added that "Pat is well on his way" to being a face of the franchise.

"You talk about Aeneas Williams and Roger Wehrli, the all-pro, Hall of Fame-caliber players, Patrick is that," Fitzgerald said. "He's an unbelievable ambassador for this team in the community, and represents himself and wife and daughter, he's everything you want in a football player, not only on the field but off the field.

"We are fortunate to have him here and contributing what he does for this team. I hope it's for years to come. He and David (Johnson) and Josh (Rosen), they are the franchise's players right now, and the organization is in great hands."

FITZGERALD TALKS RETIREMENT CONSIDERATIONS

As the calendar brings December in a couple of days, the talk figures to ramp up about Fitzgerald's plans for 2019 and potential retirement. Fitzgerald isn't talking about his plans – obviously – but he did talk about factors he would consider.

"You've got to think I've been doing this since I was 6 years old, so it's not like it's pulling teeth," Fitzgerald said. "It's great to be around the guys and work and practice and cultivate these relationships. This group of receivers I've had this year, even in training camp, are some of the finest members I've experienced. They are humble, hard-working, selfless. They don't even understand how much better they can be (with wins and losses) and they still come to work every day with a great attitude.

"That part of the business is a lot of fun. Being 2-and-9 sucks. But relationships and comradery and competition are really what you do it for. You play for each other."

REDDICK RETURNS TO PRACTICE

Linebacker Haason Reddick (neck) was back on the field Thursday, leaving linebacker Deone Bucannon (chest) as the lone player to sit out. Reddick was limited, along with safety Budda Baker (knee), defensive tackle Corey Peters (back), tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) and wide receiver Chad Williams (ankle).

For the Packers, safety Raven Greene (ankle), safety Kentrell Brice (ankle/concussion), running back Tre Carson (ribs), defensive end Mike Daniels (foot) and wide receiver Trevor Davis (hamstring) didn't practice. Limited were tackle David Bakhtari (knee), cornerback Bashaud Breeland (groin), tight end Jimmy Graham (knee/thumb), wide receiver Randall Cobb (hamstring), cornerback Kevin King (hamstring), wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (elbow) and guard Lane Taylor (quadriceps).

KANOFF RELEASED

The Cardinals cut quarterback Charles Kanoff Thursday, after signing him to the active roster Saturday. He will be a candidate to return to the practice squad, and it leaves an open spot on the 53-man roster.

Images from past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Green Bay Packers

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