Cardinals' Patrick Peterson cutting out sweets to control diabetes

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson struggled throughout the 2014 season, and was diagnosed with diabetes during Week 7 of the campaign.

Peterson signed a five-year, $70-million contract with a $48-million guarantee in July 2014, but was torched for eight touchdowns - the third-highest total for any cornerback last season.

The 24-year-old is taking drastic measures to ensure his performance returns to an elite level.

"Being as lean as I am and being a world-class athlete, you think you can get away with a lot of things," Peterson said to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "And at some point in time, your body is definitely the temple and you have to make sure that you have to listen to your body. So, at this point in time, my body was like 'no more sweets,' and (you) have to put it down and slow down a little bit, so that's what it has to be."

In spite of a series of poor performances, Peterson was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. Nonetheless, the Cardinals' cornerback still feels like he's got something to prove.

"I definitely want to get better," Peterson said. "I believe, health-wise, I wasn't where I needed to be. I think now that I am back to 100 percent - leaner, faster, just more focused and honed in on the task at hand - I feel that (this) is going to be an explosive year for me, just coming back and playing at the level that I know I'm capable of playing."

With Antonio Cromartie signing with the New York Jets in the offseason, Peterson once again assumes the role of the de facto leader of a young Cardinals' secondary. A young but experienced veteran, Peterson will need every nutritional advantage possible if he is to stake a legitimate claim as one of the league's top cornerbacks once again.