When defensive tackle Corey Peters re-signed in August, he likely could not have imagined his Arizona Cardinals team would be the league's last undefeated team. After 11 seasons in the NFL, Peters is having more fun than ever with this team.
"It is really fun having excitement around. I am getting older now. I definitely have more football behind me than I do in front of me so, for me, winning is the only thing that I care about these days," Peters said.
"I think we have a really good team. Guys are buying into what we are trying to do. We have a good start to the season so I am looking forward to continuing week to week just trying to get a win. 1-0 every week and seeing where we are at the end of the season. I am having so much fun because this past offseason, I wasn't on a roster. To go from that and come back here, which is where I wanted to be, and then getting off to such a fast start, I am super excited about it. It is like a brand new me, just staring over and getting another opportunity at it. I am grateful for it and I am not taking it for granted."
The reason for Arizona's success is tied to the play of its quarterback -- Kyler Murray. Murray has thrown for over 1,500 yards in just five games.
"It is really nuts. I feel like there are a lot of good players in the NFL. Everybody is good, but Kyler is such a special type of talent because of how dynamic Kyler is; not only with his arm, but especially with his legs, how he can extend plays. He is such an exciting player to watch," he explained.
"I am so thankful to have him on our team, for one, so we do not have to play against him, and two, he makes everything so much easier. Being able to watch him on the sideline and what he is able to do, it is really impressive. It is hard for me to say. I feel like I have never seen anything quite like him. Obviously, I have seen mobile quarterbacks, but his level of quickness is really weird. I have never seen anybody really be able to do the things that he can do on the football field. I am really excited about it. I love to watch him play and I hope that he can lead us on a deep playoff run this year."
As a traveled veteran with extensive playing time, the defensive lineman has faced every type of quarterback known to the league. He understands the challenges that a player of Murray's caliber presents to opposing defenses.
"It is incredibly frustrating for a defense. Those are the types of things that really break your spirit defensively when you get a team to third down and you have the receivers covered and then the quarterback starts scrambling, makes some magic and then all of a sudden, it is a first down; that really takes the air out of a stadium, out of a team. To have him on our team, it is really helpful, especially from a defensive standpoint, because the offense is doing really well and it is just really fun to watch him play. I get a front row seat to it every week."
When discussing the league's best quarterbacks, the conversation commonly includes Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, etc...but the narrative surrounding Murray has been slow to adapt. Peters holds the former No. 1 overall pick in a similarly high regard.
"I know that the players in this league respect what he brings to it and they know the challenge that he presents. Myself, I would put Kyler up there with any quarterback. At this point in his career, he is so young right now, he still has so much growing to do, but he is already playing at such a high level. I really think the sky is the limit for him and I think he is capable of getting it done for us this year."
The big offseason addition for the NFC West franchise was edge rusher J.J. Watt. Watt has yet to record a sack for his new team but his impact is immeasurable.
"I was so excited about it," Peters said of hearing the news of Watt's signing. "Everybody knows who J.J. Watt is and what he brings. Having somebody that is so
