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orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/orl-jags0308aug03,0,340416.story
OrlandoSentinel.com
NFL Jacksonville Jaguars
Mike Peterson playing angry, which might be good for Jags, at least for now
Tania Ganguli
For a while, Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson decided he would step back, keep quiet and let his play speak for him.
That time has passed.
His contract with Jacksonville has consumed him. He can't get away from it off the field. He can't get away from it while on vacation. He can only remove himself from the anger feels when he's on the field playing.
Even then it creeps out.
After a big play during a training camp practice last week, Peterson reportedly screamed as he left the field, "I hope somebody's watching the film."
He hopes somebody notices what he's doing -- what he can still do. Somebody that might want to sign him after his six-year contract with Jacksonville expires this season. Maybe even someone with the Jags.
"I get chills just thinking about it," Peterson said. "That's why I'm so angry now. I go out there and play, and I'm mad. When I come off the field, I'm angry. You don't have that assurance. . . . I've done a lot in the community. I want to continue here. I want to retire here. Next year, who knows where I could be?"
Almost since the day he signed with the Jags in 2003 as an unrestricted free agent from Indianapolis, Peterson was the heart of one of the league's top defenses.
A Gainesville native and former University of Florida star, he started in all 16 games his first year in Jacksonville and led the team with 167 tackles and three interceptions. He started every game in 2004 and led the team in tackles again and had a career year in 2005, when he notched 190 tackles.
"We saw him as a guy who could go sideline to sideline," Jags Coach Jack Del Rio said. "He's done a nice job understanding our system."
Then came the injuries.
Peterson tore his pectoral muscle early in 2006. He broke his hand and missed the end of the season, including two playoff games.
New England eliminated Jacksonville in an AFC divisional playoff game.
It was frustrating for the team and frustrating for Peterson, who is entering his 10th season. He called that injury the toughest thing he has had to deal with in his NFL career. Watching Tom Brady rack up first down after first down on short pass plays he felt he could have stopped, was painful.
Second-toughest? Dealing with the uncertainty of his future in Jacksonville.
The Jags, who have drafted linebackers in each of the past two drafts, have been unwilling to entertain a contract extension for him. He is scheduled to make $4.9 million this season.
"Nobody wants to play on their last year and not have [any] assurance," Peterson said. "Each year I kept my nose clean, stayed out of trouble, did all the right things. Thirty-two teams out there, somebody's going to fall in love with what I do."
Peterson's injuries are one issue. His age, 32, is another. And while he was sidelined, younger players carved out some space for themselves.
Daryl Smith replaced Peterson last season, and on Friday Del Rio renewed his raves about Smith, saying he would be a future star in the league. Last year Smith was second on the team in tackles (117).
That doesn't bother Peterson. He thinks if he has the chance, he'll prove he's still the player who's been the emotional leader of the defense.
"They say it's a young man's game," Peterson said. ". . . If you want the best guy, then you put the best guy. If you want the cheapest guy, then maybe you'll get someone else."
