the vikings have won three ROY awards in the past 15 years (including two of the last six)... keenan allen, eddie lacy and gio bernard may all still have a lead on patterson, unclear if he could make up the ground with three remaining games?
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/235675531.html
Five Vikings, all offensive players, have won AP Rookie of the Year: running back Chuck Foreman (1973), receiver Sammy White (1976), receiver Randy Moss (1998), Peterson (2007) and receiver Percy Harvin (2009). The latter two are the only non-quarterbacks to win since 2005.
Patterson would be the eighth receiver overall and the fourth Vikings receiver to win the award since it began in 1967. But there’s much more to Patterson’s campaign platform than just playing receiver. For example, he:
• Leads the NFL in kickoff return average (33.3). Second-best is 30.6. No other rookie leads the league in any major statistical category.
• Leads the NFL in kickoff return touchdowns (two), including an NFL-record 109-yarder.
• Has the NFL’s two longest scoring plays: the 109-yarder and a 105-yard return that’s tied for second place.
• Is one of only two rookies, along with Rams receiver Tavon Austin, to score three different ways this season. Patterson has two touchdowns on kick returns, two on receptions and one on a 33-yard run from the tailback position.
• Ranks No. 2 in the league in all-purpose yardage. With 1,629 yards (1,199 returning, 395 receiving, 35 rushing), Patterson trails Eagles running back LeSean McCoy by only 115 yards heading into Sunday’s matchup.
Now