Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson Talking Trash Over Contracts: Business as Usual in NFC West

Oct 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson talking trash over contracts? What’s new in this division?

The NFC West continues to get more interesting and the rivalries between the teams really have been more fun since Sherman entered the picture. We already knew the Arizona Cardinals thought highly of themselves, though they’ve been stuck at third-best in the division for a couple of years now. Not to be forgotten, Peterson has stepped up the ante:

"“I’m making OK money right now, but I’m just not making his money right now,” Peterson said, via ESPN.com.We’ll see. Got to ask the Cardinals. I mean, I think I am (worth more than Sherman) but at the end of the day both sides have to agree to terms and we’ll see what those terms are and hopefully sooner than later._____“I’m definitely observant of what [Sherman] got,” Peterson said, via Kyle Odegard of the team’s website. “Obviously by him being the highest paid cornerback, the goal for the guys that come after him is to be higher than him. I believe he set the table pretty high, and me and my agent have some work to do.”"

As we know, Sherman won’t shy away from the chatter and has something of a pension for throwing facts and numbers into the picture to talk his trash for him:

Yikes! When you look at the numbers, it’s pretty clear whether you think quarterbacks respect him or not that he’s put up more than he’s had to shut up. Not that it would matter, we all know Sherman doesn’t do the latter and we love it!

Never shy in his own right, Earl Thomas jumped on twitter to back up his teammate with some talk of his own.

Clearly a direct hit by pointing out the Super Bowl and then ever-so-slyly telling the Cardinals’ star the Hawks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Just business as usual in this division. At one point I wasn’t even sure this is as much about talking trash as it is just Peterson taking advantage of the situation as a first round pick from the same 2011 NFL Draft. That would be a Richard Sherman move, no?

Then, I saw this after it was reported that Joe Haden had signed a ridiculous $68 million contract of his own ($22 million of which is guaranteed and $22 more in case of injury) and I knew, it was indeed trash talk pointed right at Sherman:

Ah, nothing better than reading into the most subtle jabs at each other! I have to say this is so much better than Darrelle Revis talking trash from across the country on a terrible Bucs team. In all fairness to him he got paid pretty good in New England for the next couple seasons and could finally become a factor in the Super Bowl picture, which would make the postseason rather exciting when it comes time.

Back to what we’re witnessing now, I simply couldn’t believe this… what’s this question about from ESPN (retweeted by Peterson himself)?

Come on ESPN! We all know this question has already been answered, don’t we…

Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) tips a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) that is intercepted by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

At any rate, when you look at the fact that Peterson was drafted in the first round of the draft, while Richard Sherman was drafted in the 5th, it is simply remarkable that after just three seasons they are trying to one-up each other on max contracts. To me though, while Peterson may be worth the money in Arizona, that fact says a whole heck of a lot more for Sherman in the grand scheme of things. Well, that and the Super Bowl ring Sherman will soon be wearing.

I think we can all agree there will be nothing more fun in the NFL than watching the NFC West go at each other this upcoming season!