Three-time Arizona Cardinals captain Corey Peters is officially back with the team in 2021, signing a one-year deal on Monday.
No one may be happier for Peters’ return than fellow nose tackle Rashard Lawrence.
Despite only being in his second year in the NFL, Lawrence and Peters built a strong connection from the start.
“I was pumped up to see that we brought him back and, man, I definitely think he’s gonna be a lifelong friend for me,” Lawrence said Friday morning on Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf.
A lifelong friend for sure, Peters had the ever-important task of planning Lawrence’s bachelor party prior to his wedding.
On the field, Lawrence said Peters has a special understanding and knowledge of the game that he’s trying to implement on the young guys.
Peters re-joins a defensive line group that added J.J. Watt in the offseason. Zach Allen is looking to feed off a strong finish to the 2020 season, while Lawrence’s draft classmate Leki Fotu also figures into the rotation.
Lawrence believes the Cardinals’ d-line has a lot in store for the upcoming season.
“I think we’re ready to roll and ready to show people we can compete and win a lot of games,” he said about his position group.
Lawrence said this training camp is a “night and day” difference compared to his rookie offseason, when OTAs were virtual due to the pandemic. He said he understands NFL concepts much better this time around.
At the start of training camp, Lawrence said he wants himself and the defensive line group to be flying around at practice.
“Week 1 and going forward I want to be a guy that can lead by example and make plays,” Lawrence said. “I’m feeling it … we have a chance to be special.”