What happened to Marcus Peters?

[T-post Tom]

Just a season ago, then-Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters was thriving. He graded as the 14th best corner in the regular season at 80.7 and stymied opposing quarterbacks who dared to throw at him — allowing a 66.0 passer rating (15th). He continued to rack up interceptions — it was his third straight year with five or more. But after being traded to the Los Angeles Rams this past offseason, Peters has struggled amid his team’s formidable defense (and offense). In the team’s first loss to the New Orleans Saints, Peters’ deficiencies were exacerbated.

Aside from the Rams’ game against the San Francisco 49ers, where he wasn’t targeted all game, Peters has allowed a passer rating of 100.0 or more in six of eight games when he’s the primary defender in coverage. He only had five such instances last year, and the situation appears even more concerning: He has already allowed six touchdowns, two more than he gave up in 2017, and has only one interception to show for it.

Peters was unable to control Saints wide receiver, Michael Thomas. After allowing six catches on eight targets to Thomas ranging anywhere from seven to 19 yards, Peters was beaten big when it mattered most late in the fourth quarter. Thomas simply ran past Peters in press coverage, and quarterback Drew Brees threw over Peters’ head into Thomas’ waiting arms for a 72-yard score that was the final dagger to the previously undefeated Rams.

The Rams don’t have much to worry about at 8-1, but Peters’ uncharacteristic poor play could become a decisive factor come playoff time. He’s matched up against big-name receivers thus far: Thomas (90.7 grade), Davante Adams (82.5 grade) and Adam Thielen (90.8 grade). It’s a likely possibility that he’ll have to go another round against at least one of them when January rolls around. In the past two weeks, Peters has been targeted 20 times — tied for the most among cornerbacks in that span. Opposing quarterbacks have clearly taken notice his downfall.

That raises the obvious question: What changed for Marcus Peters? Or rather, what changed around Marcus Peters? For one, the big-play receivers he’s followed this year are seeing more targets (and more accurate targets) than the ones he stuck with a year ago. For example, in 2017, Antonio Brown was targeted just three times in Peters’ coverage for a measly two receptions for 14 yards. Brown finished with eight catches for 155 yards and a touchdown in that game, so clearly, Peters was at his best. DeVante Parker was targeted seven times against Peters in 2017, but only four were deemed catchable, and just two were caught.

This year, he’s seen nine targets (seven catchable) against Thomas, six (five catchable) against Adams and four (three catchable) against Thielen. In other words, NFC quarterbacks are testing Peters more than ever before with accurate throws, and he’s not coming away with interceptions, or success in general, at the rate he’s been used to.

In his rookie year, Peters was targeted a league-high 137 times (and he was the most targeted cornerback from 2015-2017). Peters had nine picks that year despite allowing eight touchdowns, compared to just one interception this season. Also, he only allowed opposing signal-callers to complete 50.4% of those throws in his coverage. This season, that number has ballooned to 72.3%. As for why the discrepancy between that year and this year exists is hard to say. But it appears that Peters’ move to the NFC may have something to do with it.

Through nine weeks, Peters has a 45.6 grade which ranks 106th of 111 cornerbacks, and his near-perfect passer rating allowed of 145.6 is 107th. He’s also already allowed more yards in coverage this year than in all of 2017. It’s been a staggering tumble from stardom for him — but it’s truly the best-case scenario as he attempts to make the climb back to glory. His team is considered a title contender and his offense and defensive line are playing lights out. Now, it’s a matter of whether Peters can get right in the next seven weeks before his team has to prove itself in a playoff run.


Giving up another touchdown.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-what-happened-to-marcus-peters

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by Katie

He's a punk. Sooner or later it catches up to you.

Simple, succinct, and accurate.

[Al Czervik]

Sooooooo happy Peter's is no longer a Chief.
The POS doesnt DESERVE to wear the Red and Gold.

[Nickhead]

what happened to marcus...

he tripped over his own feet

[TwistedChief]

The Mahomes Curse.

Players leave the Mahomes Orbit on bad terms and spontaneously combust. It's just not really widely reported most of the time.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Rod Woodson spent years as an all pro corner playing off and reading the QB. It's why he was so natural converting to Safety after his knees were shot (thanks Barry Sanders).

Normally, a player doesn't literally juke someone out of their shoes, as the saying goes. But Barry was so smooth and shifty, even Hall of Fame defenders stood no chance.

Woodson returned in time for the Super Bowl, though.

[Flying High D]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

I don't think I forgot either of those things. HIs shit attitude and shit tackling are mentioned.

I also mentioned his penchant for quitting on the team when HE is having a bad game.

Berry had to retrieve that bitch after he tantrumed off to the locker room AT LEAST three times. ****ing embarrassing. Be an adult. "Oh Peters lost his shit again, Hey Eric, can you go handle that?"

Ridiculous. I've never seen a player do that.

The Jets game wasn't the first time he quit on the team. Berry just used to go back and talk him into coming back onto the field and often it wasn't noticed. If you were at the game, you noticed. Even George blowfish mentioned it more than once in his weekly '10 things' posts.

Trade EB to LA for a half eaten tuna sandwich. Win Win LA can have MP’s babysitter.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I think it's pretty clear now that we have the luxury of hindsight.

The Chiefs were primarily a zone coverage scheme these past few seasons. This is why Peters forced so many turnovers, being able to play zone, read and react. The Chiefs emphasized all off season how they wanted to play man coverage.

Peters isn't a good man coverage corner and his season with the Rams, who want to play press, is illustrating that.

Couple that with his abrasive personalty and big pay day coming due, the Chiefs parted ways.

While you are technically correct, the best kind of correct, the Chiefs ran man 46.3% of the time in 2017, which was more than any other team in the league.

A big problem for Peters appears to be the lack of safety help that Berry provided him. It allowed him to go for the big play knowing he had a stud behind him to clean up if he whiffed.

BTW, in 2016 we ran man coverage 48.9% of the time, which was 2nd only to Tennessee by .7%.

[Hammock Parties]

We are gonna beat the Rams.

That punk HC, QB and CB don't have shit on this squad.

Goff is going to shit his pants.

We're going to take that squad to school.

[Iowanian]

Gurley might rush for 200yds vs this defense....Chiefs will need to score 42 to win.

[Flying High D]

Gurley Smurley

[Iowanian]

This defense has allowed pretty big numbers from mediocre running backs. Gurley is an animal.

[Flying High D]

We are the Chiefs, ie we have Mahomes.