Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers talks defensive foundation, Patrick Peterson’s health

For two years, former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles groomed his group of players into one of the toughest defenses in the league.

Then, he left for a head coaching job with the New York Jets.

It’s been cause for a bit of concern this offseason, exacerbated by the promotion of former outside linebackers coach James Bettcher into the role — his first coordinator job.

But according to Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers, it’s not like the team is planning to start all over again under completely new direction.

“We’re going to be fine. The foundation’s in place,” he said to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM‘s Bickley and Marotta at Cardinals OTAs Thursday. “Todd did a great job the first two years of putting the foundation in and letting everybody learn the system…

“…We’re still going to run that same system, Bettcher is just going to put his little bits and pieces where he thinks we could’ve improved.”

Powers played well under Bowles, first as a 16-game starter in 2013, during which time he recorded 65 total tackles (60 solo) and 17 passes defensed, and then in 2014 as an 11-game starter who recorded 53 total tackles (48 solo) with 10 passes defensed.

This season, his role in the secondary may shift a bit to make more room for Justin Bethel, a younger corner who has been used heavily on special teams — he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2013 and 2014.