Patrick Peterson's mood was upbeat Thursday, joking loudly with his fellow defensive backs in the locker room after practice.
And once the star cornerback met the media, a short while after Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders talked again how Peterson would want to leave Arizona, Peterson contradicted Sanders about as strongly as he could have.
Peterson said Sanders said what he felt but "I had nothing to do with that." And as Larry Fitzgerald made a brief appearance in Peterson's media scrum, Peterson said "I want to follow in that man's shoes."
"He's been here forever, 15 years, being a cornerstone of this Arizona Cardinals organization," Peterson added. "I feel like I'm next in line. So we'll see what happens."
Peterson said there was "no doubt" it would be special for him to finish his career with the Cardinals.
"What would be more special is to get us that championship here in the desert," Peterson said, "and that's my main focus. What I, being picked fifth overall (in 2011), wanted to bring to this city. That's still my goal."
Fitzgerald, who has good-naturedly jabbed Peterson about his early-season trade request, noted again with a grin that Sanders said Peterson would be elsewhere. But on a serious note, he added that "Pat is well on his way" to being a face of the franchise.
"You talk about Aeneas Williams and Roger Wehrli, the all-pro, Hall of Fame-caliber players, Patrick is that," Fitzgerald said. "He's an unbelievable ambassador for this team in the community, and represents himself and wife and daughter, he's everything you want in a football player, not only on the field but off the field.
"We are fortunate to have him here and contributing what he does for this team. I hope it's for years to come. He and David (Johnson) and Josh (Rosen), they are the franchise's players right now, and the organization is in great hands."
FITZGERALD TALKS RETIREMENT CONSIDERATIONS
As the calendar brings December in a couple of days, the talk figures to ramp up about Fitzgerald's plans for 2019 and potential retirement. Fitzgerald isn't talking about his plans – obviously – but he did talk about factors he would consider.
"You've got to think I've been doing this since I was 6 years old, so it's not like it's pulling teeth," Fitzgerald said. "It's great to be around the guys and work and practice and cultivate these relationships. This group of receivers I've had this year, even in training camp, are some of the finest members I've experienced. They are humble, hard-working, selfless. They don't even understand how much better they can be (with wins and losses) and they still come to work every day with a great attitude.
"That part of the business is a lot of fun. Being 2-and-9 sucks. But relationships and comradery and competition are really what you do it for. You play for each other."
REDDICK RETURNS TO PRACTICE
Linebacker Haason Reddick (neck) was back on the field Thursday, leaving linebacker Deone Bucannon (chest) as the lone player to sit out. Reddick was limited, along with safety Budda Baker (knee), defensive tackle Corey Peters (back), tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) and wide receiver Chad Williams (ankle).
For the Packers, safety Raven Greene (ankle), safety Kentrell Brice (ankle/concussion), running back Tre Carson (ribs), defensive end Mike Daniels (foot) and wide receiver Trevor Davis (hamstring) didn't practice. Limited were tackle David Bakhtari (knee), cornerback Bashaud Breeland (groin), tight end Jimmy Graham (knee/thumb), wide receiver Randall Cobb (hamstring), cornerback Kevin King (hamstring), wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (elbow) and guard Lane Taylor (quadriceps).
KANOFF RELEASED
The Cardinals cut quarterback Charles Kanoff Thursday, after signing him to the active roster Saturday. He will be a candidate to return to the practice squad, and it leaves an open spot on the 53-man roster.
Images from past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers Elijah Pitts (22) goes over from the seven in the early second quarter in St. Louis, on Monday, night, Oct. 30, 1967. Coming in too late to stop him is Jim Burson (49) of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Green Bay Packers running-back Donny Anderson (44) takes to the air as he is hit by St. Louis Cardinals Miller Farr during the first period, Dec. 5, 1971, St. Louis, Mo. Anderson managed only three yards on the run before being downed by Farr
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Walker Gillette (84) runs upfield with a reception during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisc., on Nov. 11, 1973. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 25-21.
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Ike Harris (84) catches a pass during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1976. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 29-0.
St. Louis Cardinals linebackers Steve Neils (53) and Ray White (55) pursue a fumble by Green Bay Packers running back Williard Harrell (40) during an NFL game in St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1976. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 29-0.
St. Louis Cardinals head Coach Jim Hanifan (left) offers his congratulations to Green Bay Packers head Coach Bart Starr at mid-field after the Packers' 41-16 first-round playoff victory, Jan. 8, 1983 in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver John Jefferson (83) scores one of his two touchdowns during the 1982 NFC Wild Card Game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1983. The Packers defeated Cardinals 41-16.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84), chased by Phoenix Cardinals Jay Taylor, heads towards the goal line to score the first touchdown in their game in Tempe, Nov. 18, 1990.
Green Bay Packers' Billy Lyon (98), Cletidus Hunt, top, and Darren Sharper (42) stop Arizona Cardinals running back Mario Bates for a short gain in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie (34) intercepts a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals receiver David Boston (89) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis. McKenzie had two interceptions in the Packers' 49-24 win.
Green Bay Packers' receiver Bill Schroeder leaps over running back Dorsey Levens after Levens rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis. Watching is Cardinals' safety Pat Tillman (40).
Green Bay Packers linebacker Hardy Nickerson (56) pulls down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer in the first quarter of their preseason game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Jeff Blake, upside down center, scores a touchdown as Green Bay Packers' Antuan Edwards (24) Chukie Nwokorie (90) and Na'il Diggs defend during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis celebrates after his team intercepted a pass in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers with two seconds remaining in the game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.The Cardinals defeated the Packers 20-13.
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green runs past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hayes (54) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Green Bay Packers' Brett Favre (4) talks to Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner after an NFL football game in this Oct. 29, 2006, photo in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers running back Vernand Morency (34) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals' Eric Green during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart throws the ball as he is hit by Green Bay Packers' Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (94) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. The Packers won 31-14.
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green (30) flips into the end zone in front of Arizona Cardinals' Robert Griffith (34), Bertrand Berry (92) and Gabe Watson (98) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the second half on an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 33-7.
Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart, right, tries to get off a pass as Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews (52) applies pressure while Cardinals' Jeremy Bridges blocks in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 33-7.
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) hits Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and causes a fumble during the overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona's Karlos Dansby recovered the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. Arizona won 51-45.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby (58) run back a fumble after Rodgers was hit by Michael Adams (27) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona won 51-45.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) talks to Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson after the Cardinals defeated the Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower (34) is stopped by Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood during the second half on an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 33-7.
Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers avoids Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals' LaRod Stephens-Howling(36) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers' Jarrett Bush during the first half of NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals' John Skelton (19) calls a play against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs after the catch as Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cory Redding (90) runs in a fumble recovery for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) falls to the turf during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) signals safety after a sack in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a defensive stop against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his catch in the red zone to set up a game winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 26-20 in overtime.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores the game winning touchdown in overtime as Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) defends during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 26-20 in overtime.
