BLOG: Cardinals/Lions marquee matchup: WR vs CB

PHOENIX - Since I played high school football against FOX analyst Tim Ryan (he single-handedly wiped out our entire O-Line before moving on to start at USC as a true freshman) and considering that Fox play-by-play voice Chris Myers used to be a fellow sideline reporter (cut me a little slack here people), Calvisi Consulting is now going to offer the network a little free advice on how to go about televising the Cardinals vs. Lions game today. 

May we suggest three letters – PIP.  Actually, make that four letters – PPIP.  Permanent Picture in Picture. In the main screen, broadcast the Week 15 matchup between a pair of 4-9 teams. In the sub-screen, feature the game within the game for the duration of the game: Patrick Peterson competing against Calvin Johnson.  

It’s a mega-talented defensive back who aspires to be the best cover cornerback competing against Megatron, the perennial Pro Bowl receiver who Larry Fitzgerald calls the “best in the business.”

“I’m trying to get to that point where I can be recognized in the league as one of the best corners in the game,” Patrick Peterson said before a reporter observed that he’s not shy about offering his self-analysis. “Not at all. At the end of the day, that’s what I play this game for, to be the best at my position and Super Bowls.”

How ‘bout his defensive coordinator? Does Ray Horton mind the bravado from his 2nd year defensive back who is third in the NFL with a half-dozen interceptions? 

“No, because they’re the ones who have to back it up. I’m encouraging him to be bold and assertive. If he believes that and he wants to say it, I’m sure everybody else will try to co-sign that check for him,” Ray Horton said on Friday.   

Actually, enlisting a little help from your friends on defense (double/triple coverage) is the typical game plan against a receiver who is on pace to set an NFL single-season record with over 1900 yards receiving. We are talking about a receiver who psyches out defenders before he ever runs a route. Just look at the measurables on a player who checks in at 6-5, 236 lbs and runs a 4.4 40 yard dash with a 45 inch vertical leap. Holy Pigskin.   

“He’s pretty good in all three phases in terms of size, physicality and speed. He has a good combination of all three. I can’t play complacent,” Peterson explained. “I have to bring the fight to him.”

Of course, when you combine the marquee matchup with the juicy quotes, it brings something else – headlines.   

“It’ll be an interesting spotlight on him this week,” Horton noted. “Patrick is ready for this guy. It’s probably a statement game for Patrick.”

With Pro Bowl voting coming next week, Horton summed up this Tale of the Tape scouting report by observing that “it’s very important for (Patrick) to prove his elite status.”

And that’s why it’s very important that the Fox broadcast crew implements our Calvisi Consulting value-added suggestion for PPIP during its broadcast on Sunday.  

Come to think of it, I’m going to send Chris & Tim another text message…we will not be ignored! (…we need to make this happen!)