Could the issues at cornerback for the Oakland Raiders be solved by a hated rival?
Cornerback Marcus Peters has had quite a run with the Kansas City Chiefs but won’t be on the field this Sunday as the battle for first place in the AFC-West rages on.
Certainly, Peters has caused some distractions in his young career in K.C. but maybe, just maybe, could he one day don the Silver and Black?
The All-Pro Peters
Peters burst on to the scene ever since his rookie year with the Chiefs in 2015. He finished his rookie year with eight interceptions, 60 tackles, and two touchdowns. Peters was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, earning himself a Pro Bowl nod that same year while also being named to the AP All-Pro Second Team.Â
The now two-time Pro Bowler has been a double-edged sword for Kansas City. With the great talent Peters possesses, there has been volatility along with it.
How Peters and the Chiefs can split
After the Chiefs drafted Peters, with the No.18 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, head coach Andy Reid said,
“We did our homework, we feel comfortable bringing Marcus into this situation.” Reid said.
At the University of Washington, Peters had problems at the college including reports of confronting an assistant coach and losing his temper after getting a penalty.
Earlier in the season when the Chiefs played the Raiders on Thursday Night Football, Peters was involved in an on-field altercation. On Sunday against the New York Jets, in a strange string of events, Peters threw an officials’ flag into the stands. After receiving the flag, Peters went straight to the locker room and started to change. When the Chiefs found themselves in a possible chance at overtime he came back onto the field with no socks on.
Wednesday afternoon Reid had enough of the antics.
According to a report per Fox Sports, Reid said Peters would not practice with the team this week and will not play against the Raiders in Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium.
How Peters fits with Oakland
Oakland is Peters’ hometown and like Marshawn Lynch this year, he would more than likely be received as a hero.
The cornerbacks on the roster right now are David Amerson, T.J. Carrie, Sean Smith, Keith McGill, Gareon Conley and Dexter McDonald. No one on this roster makes quarterbacks shy away from their preferred No.1 target, at least not right now.
Peters’ relationship with Lynch could help his cause to become a Raider. When the altercation happened against the Chiefs this year it was Lynch who calmed down Peters and got him away from the Raiders offensive linemen.
The likely result
The Raiders need to solve their defensive back problems sooner rather than later. More than likely McKenzie will utilize the draft to better address this nagging issue.
The Chiefs are typically not a franchise to let players be distractions. They are seemingly giving Peters a warning with the one-game suspension and the other 31 NFL teams could be watching for the Chiefs to get fed up with Peters.
It will be interesting to see if this possibility picks up steam once the season is over.
