Peterson expects a lot from himself this season

Patrick Peterson made an immediate impact on the Cardinals defense and in their special teams in his rookie season.

Peterson set an NFL rookie record with 699 return yards, while tying an NFL record with four punt return touchdowns.

All eyes will be on Peterson, as he heads into his “sophomore” season in Arizona.

You’ve heard of the “sophomore jinx” in sports haven’t you? Well Peterson doesn’t buy into that. As a matter of fact, he’s got some pretty high standards he’s trying to set for this coming season at cornerback.

“I want to get to the point where teams don’t  even want to throw my way,” Peterson said. “If the picks come, they come. When I get my opportunity to get my hands on them, I just have to take them the other way and put the offense in good field position, or even get six [a touchdown].”

Technically, when an NFL player gets to his second season in the league, he’s considered a veteran, and Peterson can now lay claim to that distinction.

Peterson has already noticed how much of an influence he’s been toward some of his teammates, primarily because of some players that’s been mentoring him through his first year and helping him get ready for Year Two.

“A lot of guys say I give them that veteran vibe,” Peterson said. “[It’s] because I put myself around a lot of vets who’ve been in the league a long time, such as Adrian [Wilson] and Larry [Fitzgerald], those guys that know the proper steps to being great.”

A lot of people who’ve seen Peterson and his body of work, might already consider him great. Peterson knows there’s always room for improvement, and he’s excited to get it going.

“My expectations for myself are very high,” Peterson said. “They’re going to continue to put me on the No. 1 receiver on the opposing team’s offense, and I just have to go out there and do my job and we’ll win ball games.”