Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson expects 'explosive year' in 2015

Published Jun. 26, 2015 1:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson had a down year for a player of his caliber in 2014. Little did anyone know until this offseason that Peterson was diagnosed with diabetes in the middle of last season.

Peterson told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder that he is feeling much better this offseason and expects a big year this season.

"I definitely want to get better," Peterson said, via ESPN.com. "I believe, health-wise, I wasn't where I needed to be. I think now that I am back to 100 percent – leaner, faster, just more focused and honed in on the task at hand – I feel that (this) is going to be an explosive year for me, just coming back and playing at the level that I know I'm capable of playing."

Peterson said last season was difficult for him because he has never struggled so much on the football field before. He knew something was wrong with his body, but couldn't pinpoint the problem.

"I'm looking at it ... I'm a world class athlete and I can't figure out what's going on with my body," he said.

Peterson has cut sugar from his diet this offseason realizing he needs to be more conscious of what is going into his body.

"Being as lean as I am and being a world-class athlete, you think you can get away with a lot of things," Peterson said. "And at some point in time, your body is definitely the temple and you have to make sure that you have to listen to your body. So, at this point in time, my body was like 'no more sweets,' and [you] have to put it down and slow down a little bit, so that's what it has to be."

Peterson will have even a bigger role this season after Antonio Cromartie left in free agency. It will be crucial to the teams success that Peterson return to prime form in 2015.

(h/t ESPN)

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Patrick Peterson

Arizona Cardinals

National Football League