Macurs Peters plays at one extreme or the other
Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) celebrates after breaking up a pass during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Corner Marcus Peters was picked 18th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was looked at by most as the best corner in the draft but subordinate issues with the University of Washington caused him not to be picked in the top 10. And the Chiefs, who were desperate for a corner and there is a premium at the position, jumped on him at 18.
There’s a premium on corners because it’s one of the hardest positions in the NFL to play. And it’s only getting harder because you can’t cough in a receiver’s direction without it being a penalty. So when Peters came in and started playing, he was inconsistent just like you would expect a rookie to be.
But the thing about Peters is his highs are extremely high and his lows are extremely low. One play, he looks like a shining star with an interception and the next he looks charbrioled after giving up a touchdown. And it’s been that way from the start as he is among the league’s leaders at his position in both categories.
On his first play as a Chief, Peters intercepted a pass from Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer. Then not so long afterward, he was beaten for a touchdown by Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. In Week 5, he was called for pass-interference to change the game for the worse for the Chiefs.
In Week 6, he intercepted a pass to set up a score to close the gap against the Minnesota Vikings in a close loss. He’s a gambler and the same thing that gets him those interceptions gets him beat for touchdowns. So the Chiefs will ride this out until he learns how calculate each risk he takes and when.
Chiefs fans have to love that he’s willing to take this chances and make these plays when his team needs them. Peters’ pick, which came in the fourth quarter with his team trailing by 10, led to the Chiefs’ only touchdown in their 16-10 loss to the Vikings. He abandoned his man, broke hard on the ball and beat Bridgewater’s intended receiver, Mike Wallace, to the spot.
Peters is going to be a great one but right now, it’s one extreme to the other.