TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Corey Peters is loading up his Kia Soul and moving out West.
The big defensive lineman with the small-guy car has a future in the Arizona desert. He is looking forward to a grand opportunity with his new team, the Arizona Cardinals.
The Falcons' offer during free agency was not competitive and he elected to sign a three-year, $10.5 million contact with the Cardinals on Wednesday.
“Atlanta was really good to me and it’s always difficult to move on but, at the end of the day, it just really wasn’t much of an option to stay,” said Peters via phone from Phoenix while waiting to get his physical on Wednesday. “It was just best to move on. They were trying to work to get a deal done, but it just wasn’t the same.”
The Cardinals lost defensive linemen Darnell Dockett (San Francisco) and Dan Williams (Oakland) and were impressed with Peters’ versatility. He’s played nose tackle, 3-4 defensive end and 4-3 tackle while with the Falcons.
The former third-round pick from Kentucky will the chance to start for the Cardinals and certainly will land a role in the rotation.
“We had a good discussion about what the team is trying to do and I feel like I’ll be able to fit along the defensive line with the group of guys that they have and the guys that are coming in,” Peters said. “I look forward to getting started.”
Having former Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon on the team will help Peters during his transition.
“That was definitely a pleasant surprise,” Peters said. “It will be good to have somebody that I’m familiar with. We spent all of our years in Atlanta together and now we are starting this new journey together as well.”
Peters arguably out-performed both the Falcons free agent pickups last season in nose tackle Paul Soliai (five-years, $33 million) and defensive end Tyson Jackson (five-years $25 million) last season.
He played 535 snaps last season. He played more snaps than Jackson (525), Soliai (519) and Hageman (224) and was rated hired that all three of them by Pro Football Focus. He played in 15 games and made two starts. He had 26 tackles and two sacks.
He’s also getting a nice raise from $1.6 million that he made last season to $3.5 million.
Peters, who was coming off Achilles surgery, played for $1.6 million last season.
The Falcons also drafted defensive end RaShede Hagemen in the second-round last season.
He’s not bitter about leaving the Falcons and plans to retire in the area.
“It’s nothing but positives,” Peters said. “I learned a lot. I grew a lot. I’ve become a better player and I’ve met people not only within the organization, but in fan base. A lot of people really opened their arms and supported me whole heartedly, not only in football, but in other endeavors as well. I’m incredibly grateful and I’ll always have positive memories of my experiences in Atlanta.”
Peters and his wife Genna were always active members in the community during his tenure with the Falcons.
“We’ve always done things (in the community) working with kids,” Peters aid. “That’s where my passion is. We’re going to try to take that to the next level and have a bigger impact and a further reach.”
FALCONS POTENTIAL UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
K Matt Bryant - signed a three-year contract extension.
G-T Gabe Carimi -- will not be re-signed.
S Charles Godfrey -- has re-signed with the team.
DE Cliff Matthews re-signed a two-year contract on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
CB Robert McClain -- has drawn interests from four teams including the Dolphins and Saints.
TE Bear Pascoe is not returning to the team.
DT Corey Peters is headed for free agency. Team has a lot of cash tied up in Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai. Also, snaps would free up for development of Rashede Hageman.
RB Antone Smith - The New York Giants are interested in signing Smith.
LB Sean Weatherspoon Team is working hard on this deal, but Arizona may be waiting in the wings to make a big push for him.
FALCONS STORIES
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
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