Arizona Cardinals GM compares Patrick Peterson to Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders

Jul 28, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) runs with the ball past linebacker Korey Jones (47) and linebacker Kenny Rowe (44) during training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Well, no pressure Patrick Peterson.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko, Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim says defensive back Patrick Peterson is comparable to Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders:

I’ve never been a part of a team with a more valuable defensive player. Then you consider the guy can really help you in three phases of the game—defense, special teams and now as a receiver. He is one of a kind. Every player that you draft, there’s a maturation process. Sometimes guys have to grow up. When Patrick walked through the door he was ready to play. He was already a pro, from a skill-set standpoint and from an attitude and maturity standpoint. From an ability standpoint, I’ve never seen anything like him. He’s the closest thing in the league to a Bo Jackson, a Deion Sanders.

Peterson is no doubt one of the premier athletes, if not the premier athlete in the NFL. However, Peterson, athletically gifted as he is and as talented a defender as he is, has yet to show any potential multi-position (sans kick/punt returns) or multi-sport ability professionally.

That very well could change though as the Cardinals are reportedly building offensive packages around Peterson, so it sounds as if we’ll get a glimpse of the athletic enigma in the near future.