RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Free Agent (13 Viewers)

[Biabreakable]

Dude said it before... Where Patterson is straight MONEY is the KR/PR yardage leagues! We get a point every 20 yards KR/PR... 6 points ALL TDs.

I own him in a league like this he finished as the #2 WR (thru 17 weeks)

You just have to wonder how long they keep him as the kickoff return guy

I hope its at least one more season because I get to keep him in 2014 for a 10th round pick

I do not see anything causing the Vikings to take Patterson off of kick returns. That is the main reason they drafted him and traded up for the pick to do so.

There is a small possibility Patterson could return punts as well. Currently Sherels is doing that job and doing it well, however Sherels is not a very good defensive back, so the return ability is a luxury if the Vikings can add several quality starters to their secondary Sherels might be on the bubble then.

So your investment should be solid for quite some time.

The only scoring format to be cautious about him in would be a PPR league with no other cool scoring options. I doubt Patterson becomes a 80+ catch guy in 2014.

 

[Biabreakable]

Just reading through Ryan Lownes player evaluations from last season comparing them to his work this season.

Here is his article on Patterson last season- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1601762-cordarrelle-patterson-scouting-report-nfl-outlook-for-tennessee-wr

 

[Faust]

NFC Team-by-Team Notes

Evan Silva

Excerpt:

Currently, Cordarrelle Patterson is a hotter name after finishing his rookie year on a wicked tear, scoring six touchdowns in the final five games. I've loved Patterson's physical tools since studying his college tape, but can envision scenarios where his re-draft stock grows too rich for my taste. Patterson is still in the process of learning how to run intermediate and deep routes confidently, and I wonder if the Vikings will be willing to pull him off kick returns considering the home-run dimension he offers on special teams. Throw in what's likely to be a run-dominated offense with shaky quarterback play, and there are obstacles in Patterson's breakout path. I don't think Norv will suddenly turn him into Josh Gordon. I can envision another year of folks complaining that Patterson is being "underutilized" in his team's passing game.

 

[Black]

Here's to MIN taking a QB at 8. Would love to see an 'extend the play' Johnny Football go to the Vikings (with all the Tarkenton comparisons).

Feels like there are (5) clear guys to go before 8: Clowney, Robinson, Mathews, Mack, Watkins. So that leaves one of Johnny, Bortles, or Teddy at 8.

 

[False Start]

NFC Team-by-Team Notes

Evan Silva

Excerpt:

Currently, Cordarrelle Patterson is a hotter name after finishing his rookie year on a wicked tear, scoring six touchdowns in the final five games. I've loved Patterson's physical tools since studying his college tape, but can envision scenarios where his re-draft stock grows too rich for my taste. Patterson is still in the process of learning how to run intermediate and deep routes confidently, and I wonder if the Vikings will be willing to pull him off kick returns considering the home-run dimension he offers on special teams. Throw in what's likely to be a run-dominated offense with shaky quarterback play, and there are obstacles in Patterson's breakout path. I don't think Norv will suddenly turn him into Josh Gordon. I can envision another year of folks complaining that Patterson is being "underutilized" in his team's passing game.

Wasn't that the same case for Gordon heading into last year?

I can see Turner not utilizing his best passing option when teams are sure to put 8 or 9 in the box. A lot of people are going to over think this because of the QB situation and as long as it is not Ponder things should be OK for Patterson. Cassel showed he can get the ball to Patterson and Patterson showed he is not just any other WR. Patterson is the best WR this team has had since Randy Moss, I love when teams have an elite running game they worry like they will never pass the ball. Norv Turner is the OC, they will pass plenty.

 

[cstu]

Here's to MIN taking a QB at 8. Would love to see an 'extend the play' Johnny Football go to the Vikings (with all the Tarkenton comparisons).

Feels like there are (5) clear guys to go before 8: Clowney, Robinson, Mathews, Mack, Watkins. So that leaves one of Johnny, Bortles, or Teddy at 8.

I'm not even high on Bortles but any QB they take at 8 will be better than anyone they've had at the position since Favre. Outside of Favre's 2009 it will probably be the best QB they've had since Culpepper 10 years ago.

 

[Faust]

Fantasy film study: Norv Turner and the Vikings

 

[Faust]

Will Cordarrelle Patterson be the next Josh Gordon?Posted by: Matt Vensel

The first thing that new Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner did after taking the job, according to general manager Rick Spielman, was “put in 10 plays for” second-year wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson as he “was putting the X’s and O’s part of it together.”

But it will be interesting to see just how much Turner’s X’s and O’s will differ from when Bill Musgrave was scribbling the plays on a whiteboard. It’s convenient to say that Patterson will become the next Josh Gordon, but Patterson and Gordon were used much differently in 2013.

Despite a shaky quarterback situation that was not dissimilar to the one here, Gordon in his second NFL season exploded with 87 catches for a NFL-best 1,646 yards -- in 14 games, no less -- and nine touchdowns with Turner calling the plays for the Cleveland Browns. Only seven wide-outs were targeted more often.

Meanwhile, Patterson, who impressed in limited reps as a rookie, was targeted 72 times, according to Pro Football Focus, and caught 45 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns.

Nearly two-thirds of Patterson’s targets came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and a whopping 22 of them came on passes behind the line. Patterson caught 19 of those for 248 yards and a touchdown. He had 16 catches for 102 yards on 24 targets that were less than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Only one of his touchdowns was caught beyond 10 yards.

Quarterback play was perhaps as big of a factor as offensive scheme. Christian Ponder had enough arm strength to make deep throws but not often the poise and the clean pocket needed to complete them, and Matt Cassel doesn’t exactly have a cannon either.

Regardless, good things happened when the Vikings got Patterson the ball as quickly as possible and let him do his thing, as I witnessed firsthand while covering the Ravens last December.

Patterson broke 10 tackles as a receiver, according to Pro Football Focus, with 286 yards after the catch. His 6.4 YAC average ranked seventh in the NFL. Gordon, by the way, was sixth.

But Gordon did most of his damage downfield in Norv Turner’s vertical passing attack. More than 55 percent of his targets came when he was 10 yards or more past the line of scrimmage, and only Torrey Smith and A.J. Green were targeted beyond 20 yards more often. With just two targets behind the line of scrimmage, Gordon was rarely utilized in the screen game.

So while both receivers liked up at the “X” receiver or “split end” position -- here’s a helpful guide on the different receiver positions -- in their respective offenses, they played much different roles (well, once Patterson started to be utilized in Musgrave’s offense, that is).

Patterson has the size and speeded needed to thrive in a vertical passing attack, so it’s going to be fun to watch him attempt to develop into an all-around receiver like Gordon. It will be also interesting to see how often Turner tries to take advantage of what Patterson already can do.

 

[Biabreakable]

From the article above, a nice break down of the difference between a X and Z WR.

On the podcast (download here), Millen broke down, in detail, the different receiver positions: X-, Z-, and the Slot-receiver.

"I think it's a lot like in baseball, you know, the difference between a second baseman and a third baseman," said Millen, when asked to describe the differences between X and Z. "You know, they're both infielders, but their job duties are much different, and so it goes with wide receiver. It's also like in basketball - everyone knows who the '3' and the '4' are, and that's been committed to the average fan's memory, but I always thought that X and Z would be similarly committed to memory as well."

They're not, really. So, he went on, "Ok, so the wide receivers are designated with the term "X" and "Z" and it's been that way for decades."

For reference, Sidney Rice is the presumptive Z receiver for theSeahawks, as long as he can get and remain healthy, and with the release of Mike Williams, speculation has begun as to whom might take his spot as the go-to "X". But first, it's important to understand the duties and the challenges each position will face.

Per Hugh:

"The X receiver is the split end. He is the widest receiver away from the tight end. What's unique about him, -- as opposed to the Z receiver, who is the flanker, and the other wide receiver -- is that the X receiver, in most formations, and of course, there are a lot of exceptions, but in most formations, the X receiver, the split end -- and those expressions are used synonymously -- he is tethered to the line of scrimmage."

"He's on the line of scrimmage, he cannot go in motion, and so, when he's facing a cornerback, as he almost always is, the cornerback can jam him at the line. So, your X receiver, he better have the profile of a guy that has the speed to get down the sideline, he better have the quickness to get away from the corner, and he better be good coming off a press."

Millen expounded on that a bit on Softy's show, adding this thought on the X receiver -- "In almost all routes, that corner has him in man-to-man. Now, if he runs a shallow cross and it's zone, then the corner will let him go, but most routes up the field, that corner's going to be covering the wide receiver, man-to-man. Now, who is a corner? In the NFL, the corner is the guy on the playground, when you play tag, that always won. He's got that great agility. He is the cheetah running down the gazelle on the Serengeti. The corner is the best athlete on the football field, and I'll even include receivers and running backs, in that group, because think about the skillset for a cornerback. He doesn't have to have great hand-eye coordination. He just has to be able to follow you. And, so those guys are hard to beat, and particularly for an X receiver, if he's getting a jam on you, you gotta have that ability to get off the line of scrimmage."

This is why the question exists as to whether or not a receiver that has had success on the inside, in the slot, can easily move to the outside. It's not just a matter of running different routes.

Millen went on, back to his podcast with Furness.

"Now, the Z receiver, the 'flanker,' who is on the opposite side of the split end, he, in most formations, is going to be off the line of scrimmage a few yards. That enables the tight end to be eligible, because if the Z receiver were on the line, it would make the tight end ineligible. That flanker, that Z receiver -- and again, those terms are synonymous --that is still a wide receiver. He's going against cornerbacks, he has to be able to have the speed and the acceleration to beat cornerbacks, but, from time-to-time, you can run him in motion because he's off the line of scrimmage, you can get him down in the slot and run for passes over the middle, so, there's a little bit of the characteristics of a slot receiver inherent in the Z receiver. But, by and large, those guys are much different than the slot receiver."

"From the slot standpoint, in zone coverage, a linebacker will usually walk out and kind of be head-up over you, if you're a slot receiver, and you've kind of got to be able to beat a linebacker. But, he's not going to trail you - he'll pass you over in zone, so if you're a slot receiver like Doug Baldwinwas last year for the majority of his catches, he's now going in between the safeties, and the linebackers, and he's got an entirely different challenge to beat those defenders, than he would when he's lined up as a wide receiver (X or Z)."

Patterson played the X position behind Jerome Simpson last season. Given his limitations as a route runner, it seems like it would enable him to be more involved with the offense by letting him play more like a Z WR. So he can go in motion more often, even lining up as a RB at times, much like the Vikings did with Percy Harvin, who played the Z receiver position now manned by Jennings and Wright.

So these 10 plays that Norv installed for Patterson likely include ways to get him in motion to the slot and as a RB similarly to how he used Sproles in SD is what I am guessing.

Patterson certainly can beat press coverage. It is more his route running, easy tells for the defensive backs to know early on what kind of route he is running, is the main thing he needs to get better at, especially if he does remain the X WR.

He has good enough hands that I can see Flash being a good deep ball WR once he stops tipping his hand and runs his routes with more consistency. If the defensive back can read his route early on then all the DB needs to do is cover the spot he knows the route is going and that makes it much harder to get open then.

 

[Biabreakable]

So a new wrinkle on how Turner may use Cordarrelle Patterson-

Vikings' Jennings on Turner's offense: 'My head is spinning'Posted by: Master Tesfatsion Updated: April 30, 2014 http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/Access_Vikings.html?page=2&numToShow=5

The Vikings are getting acclimated to the new coaching staff in their second day of voluntary veteran mini-camp on Wednesday. With that, the players are learning to make adjustments to new schemes and coaching styles.

One of the more drastic changes is on offense, where the Vikings shift from Bill Musgrave to Norv Turner.

“My head is spinning,” Jennings said. “Even though the offense is coming and it’s starting to sink in. Just with all the different change-ups we can present to the defense, the different looks, the different formations we can run the same play, the different variations that comes within the same play. Your head is spinning at all times until you have it down.

“The variations from one play to the variations of how we can get to that one play, is a lot. I’m being a little sarcastic with this statement, but it almost equates to what we had last year -- just one play. It’s a lot.”

Musgrave’s offense, famously compacted into a nice little index card, was known to be bland and predictable. It doesn’t seem that will be the case under Turner, which Jennings described as more complex.

Other notes from availability before Wednesday’s practice:

*Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson said he wants to improve on his work ethic this year. He was very critical of his ethic looking back on his rookie season.

“I was looking at film of me last year, looking at how I didn’t finish,” Patterson said. “This year, coach Zimmer, set the tempo high yesterday. My work ethic from last year to this offseason has improved.”

Cordarrelle Patterson aims to boost work ethic, 'remember' everything
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Cordarrelle_Patterson_aims_to_boost_work_ethic_remember_everything043014

By Andrew Krammer

Updated: April 30th, 2014 5:01pm

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - In Cordarrelle Patterson's rookie season, former coachLeslie Frazier and the Minnesota Vikings brought him along slower than many thought was necessary.

In year two, that governor will be taken off Patterson as he aims to swallow an entire new offensive scheme under Norv Turner -- all while fulfilling the potential many see in the budding receiver.

"Last year, coming in as a rookie, you really don't know what to expect. I don't think my work ethic was good enough last year," Patterson said. "This year my whole mindset is remember everything, do better than you did last year."

After just one year of Division-I college football, Patterson burst onto the NFL stage last season after the Vikings traded back into the first round to select him with the 29th overall pick. Even though Patterson didn't see more than 40 snaps on offense until Week 11, he made the Pro Bowl as an alternate after amassing a NFL-best 32.4 yards per kickoff return.

Patterson didn't play football in 2009 before his two years of juco preceeded his lone season at the University of Tennessee. There were never concerns about Patterson's physical ability, only if he could grasp an offensive system in the NFL.

And now he has to do that all over again in his second season.

"It's totally different from last year," Patterson said. "It's going to be tough, but us guys we're going to work together. We're going to be with each other, get here early in the morning and leave late after practice."

With offseason programs underway, the change has been set into motion for Patterson to not only be more involved in the offense, but to fully grasp a scheme that veteran receiver Greg Jennings said made his 'head spin.'

"Everything is different. Literally everything is different," Jennings said. "The number system is completely opposite than the West Coast [offense]. Obviously, the concepts once they're in, they're similar. But the way those concepts are verbalized, the language is completely different. Literally I've had to erase everything that I've learned in the past and completely start from scratch."

In that same complex scheme, Patterson said he wants to be more involved, more than just a 'X,' or split end, option in the offense. Under Frazier and former offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, the Vikings eventually used Patterson in the backfield and varied motion sets.

After proving his worth in limited snaps last season, Patterson will likely open Week 1 as the starting split-end ahead of receiver Jerome Simpson.

He should also remain as the Vikings main kickoff returner as he joined a group with receiver Jarius Wright, punt returnerMarcus Sherels, cornerback Josh Robinson and others in returning machine-issued kicks on Wednesday.

"I want to play everything this year so if coach needs me, if someone goes down, I can be that guy," Patterson said.

In order to be that utility player that Zimmer and Turner can plug-and-play at various positions, the onus is on Patterson to wrap his head around Turner's offense so that it's as instinctual as his elusiveness and explosion on the field.

"I wouldn't say complicated. It's a lot more complex. Every offense can be complicated to guys," Jennings said. "But if last year's offense was complicated, guys will struggle with this one for sure."

 

[Bigboy10182000]

@TomPelissero: #Vikings vet on Norv Turner: "His philosophy is we're going to pass the ball to open up the run game." Change coming. http://t.co/Lhn1oDArnl

 

[LawFitz]

Dear Cordarelle,

My love for you ees strong.

My desire for you ees, eh, strong.

I think of you day and night... Everytime I dunk and when I box out.

I think me an you make nice, eh, couple.

If I cannot make you mine, that would be so... stink.

Love,

LawFitz

 

[MoveToSkypager]

Dude said it before... Where Patterson is straight MONEY is the KR/PR yardage leagues! We get a point every 20 yards KR/PR... 6 points ALL TDs.

I own him in a league like this he finished as the #2 WR (thru 17 weeks)

You just have to wonder how long they keep him as the kickoff return guy

I hope its at least one more season because I get to keep him in 2014 for a 10th round pick

cool story

 

[BigJim®]

Will Cordarrelle Patterson be the next Josh Gordon?

Posted by: Matt Vensel

Nearly two-thirds of Patterson’s targets came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and a whopping 22 of them came on passes behind the line. Patterson caught 19 of those for 248 yards and a touchdown. He had 16 catches for 102 yards on 24 targets that were less than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Only one of his touchdowns was caught beyond 10 yards.

***

Patterson has the size and speeded needed to thrive in a vertical passing attack, so it’s going to be fun to watch him attempt to develop into an all-around receiver like Gordon. It will be also interesting to see how often Turner tries to take advantage of what Patterson already can do.

I'd love to see Patterson targeted deeper, and I'm sure he will be. With defenses respecting his tremendous short play, it should buy him downfield opportunities. It makes me drool a little envisioning Cordarrelle against corner/safety in space.

 

[Yenrub]

Dude said it before... Where Patterson is straight MONEY is the KR/PR yardage leagues! We get a point every 20 yards KR/PR... 6 points ALL TDs.

I own him in a league like this he finished as the #2 WR (thru 17 weeks)

You just have to wonder how long they keep him as the kickoff return guy

I hope its at least one more season because I get to keep him in 2014 for a 10th round pick

cool story

glad you liked it

looks like he will be returning kicks in 2014

 

[Faust]

Vikings: Patterson seems ready for more

By Ben Goessling | ESPN.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- Perhaps the most confusing thing about Cordarrelle Patterson's dynamic rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings was how long it took the team to unleash Patterson in its offense, considering how much of a jolt he gave it once he became a bigger part of the Vikings' scheme in November. Patterson scored six touchdowns in the final five games of the season, with three coming on runs and one on a 79-yard screen pass at the end of the Vikings' wild loss to Baltimore on Dec. 8.

Former coach Leslie Frazier said last season that the Vikings brought Patterson along about as fast as they could, even though it seemed like the ways Patterson ultimately affected the Vikings' offense the most were on relatively simple plays. But Patterson said this week he didn't work hard enough as a rookie, and said he wants to be available at more receiver positions than just split end, where the Vikings primarily used him last year.

"This year my whole mindset is, 'Remember everything. Do better than you did last year,'" Patterson said this week. "I think I was kind of bad last year. This year will be way better."

By all accounts, offensive coordinator Norv Turner brings a more complex offense to Minnesota than what the team had under Bill Musgrave, so Patterson will have to digest a more intricate scheme as he learns his second offense in two years. On the other hand, general manager Rick Spielman said at the NFL scouting combine that Turner already had 10 plays designed for Patterson, and Turner moved Patterson around in the Vikings' offense plenty during the team's voluntary minicamp this week.

"I think you've always got to hold that judgment in terms of how a guy handles it," Turner said on Thursday. "We've had guys who have been very productive players, extremely outstanding players I would say, and they lined up and played one position. We've had a bunch of other guys we've moved around. We've moved Cordarrelle around quite a bit this week and he seemed to handle it pretty well, so we'll see how much he can handle?"

It is interesting, though, to hear Patterson putting the onus on himself to work harder, especially in light of something he mentioned to Fox sideline reporter Charissa Thompson after he scored his final touchdown of the season in the team's Dec. 29 win against the Detroit Lions. Thompson said during the broadcast that Patterson rubbed people the wrong way in meetings early in the season, adding veteran receiver Greg Jennings wasn't sure what to make of Patterson and that it all changed when fellow receiver Jarius Wright invited Patterson on a trip to Las Vegas. The story is worth noting in light of how much more aware Patterson seemed this week of where he fits in the Vikings' offense, and how his work ethic can affect his teammates' perception of him.

He said he spent his offseason taking a pair of classes at Tennessee -- though he wasn't able to finish one of them because he had to return to Minnesota during the final exam -- and added he plans to take classes at the University of Minnesota next year, so he can stay in town and work out at the Vikings' facility while making progress toward a degree in communications.

It seemed important for the Vikings to retain receivers coach George Stewart, who had bonded with Patterson before last year's draft, and in his second year working with Stewart, Patterson seems more aware of his surroundings and the expectations on him. The knock on Patterson coming out of college was that he would struggle to master NFL offenses, and he'll be asked to learn his fourth scheme in as many years, counting one year with Musgrave, one year at Tennessee and his final season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.

There is little doubt Patterson will be an integral piece of the Vikings' offense in 2014, but some of that will be based on how much he can handle. Based on what he said this week, he seems intent on making a good impression.

"It’s been tough, (but) like I said, I lean on the guys in that locker room," Patterson said. "I lean on them a lot, they help me and expect big things from me, and I expect big things from them."

 

[jurb26]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

 

[tdmills]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

 

[jurb26]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

 

[tdmills]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

 

[jurb26]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

Who's defensive? He didn't run an extensive route tree while at the JUCO school and faced poor competition. He also didn't play football at all in 2009, likely leading to his ending up at a JUCO school. He's had one season vs. top college competition and 1 season in the NFL, so yeah I'd say his experience is still very much lacking. He was a raw prospect coming out with limited rout tree experience. It's the reason he dropped to the back half of round one.

 

[tdmills]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

Who's defensive? He didn't run an extensive route tree while at the JUCO school and faced poor competition. He also didn't play football at all in 2009, likely leading to his ending up at a JUCO school. He's had one season vs. top college competition and 1 season in the NFL, so yeah I'd say his experience is still very much lacking. He was a raw prospect coming out with limited rout tree experience. It's the reason he dropped to the back half of round one.

Little experience playing the position= hasn't played WR very long. He had 113 receptions for 1831 yards and 24 TDs his two seasons of JUCO ball, that is experience. You have no idea what his route tree was or his coaching....you're guessing. I'm not disagreeing that Patterson wasn't technically sound coming into the NFL(many WRs have things to work on), but he does come with more experience than you're giving him credit for.

 

[jurb26]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

Who's defensive? He didn't run an extensive route tree while at the JUCO school and faced poor competition. He also didn't play football at all in 2009, likely leading to his ending up at a JUCO school. He's had one season vs. top college competition and 1 season in the NFL, so yeah I'd say his experience is still very much lacking. He was a raw prospect coming out with limited rout tree experience. It's the reason he dropped to the back half of round one.

Little experience playing the position= hasn't played WR very long. He had 113 receptions for 1831 yards and 24 TDs his two seasons of JUCO ball, that is experience. You have no idea what his route tree was or his coaching....you're guessing. I'm not disagreeing that Patterson wasn't technically sound coming into the NFL(many WRs have things to work on), but he does come with more experience than you're giving him credit for.

I watched Patterson so I do know. He ran almost 3 routes exclusively; hitch, bubble screen and fly route. He was so much better than his competition it was laughable. Maybe you didn't watch him but that doesn't mean nobody else did.

 

[buck naked]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

I'm not sure how they could put too much on him too fast. This is his job. He should be learning and practicing 10+ hours a day. That is what most professionals in whatever field have to do. Seriously, learn how to plant the foot hard and run a great route, learn the playbook, go to Fitz' camp, etc.

This isn't that hard, unless he is just not smart.

 

[jurb26]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

I'm not sure how they could put too much on him too fast. This is his job. He should be learning and practicing 10+ hours a day. That is what most professionals in whatever field have to do. Seriously, learn how to plant the foot hard and run a great route, learn the playbook, go to Fitz' camp, etc.

This isn't that hard, unless he is just not smart.

I think he's plenty smart for it but you have to remember this is a new system entirely and it's a more complex one as well. On top of that, he's going to be learning multiple positions in this system, not just one. For a guy who is still learning the basics of being an NFL WR that's a lot to absorb. It's not as easy as most people think.

 

[tdmills]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

Who's defensive? He didn't run an extensive route tree while at the JUCO school and faced poor competition. He also didn't play football at all in 2009, likely leading to his ending up at a JUCO school. He's had one season vs. top college competition and 1 season in the NFL, so yeah I'd say his experience is still very much lacking. He was a raw prospect coming out with limited rout tree experience. It's the reason he dropped to the back half of round one.

Little experience playing the position= hasn't played WR very long. He had 113 receptions for 1831 yards and 24 TDs his two seasons of JUCO ball, that is experience. You have no idea what his route tree was or his coaching....you're guessing. I'm not disagreeing that Patterson wasn't technically sound coming into the NFL(many WRs have things to work on), but he does come with more experience than you're giving him credit for.

I watched Patterson so I do know. He ran almost 3 routes exclusively; hitch, bubble screen and fly route. He was so much better than his competition it was laughable. Maybe you didn't watch him but that doesn't mean nobody else did.

You have coaches film from his JUCO games? I'm not talking about Highlight reels here

 

[Faust]

Vikings using Cordarrelle Patterson all over the fieldBy Marc Sessler

Around the League Writer

The Minnesota Vikings took their time incorporating Cordarrelle Patterson into the offense last season.

He was a dangerous return man from the start, but it wasn't until Week 11 that the plus-sized wideout caught more than three passes in a game. Patterson bloomed down the stretch, scoring three times through the air with another three touchdowns on the ground over the final five games of the year.

New offensive coordinator Norv Turner hasn't been shy with the second-year pass-catcher, using Patterson all over the field during this week's voluntary minicamp, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling.

That makes sense after general manager Rick Spielman told reporters at the combine that Turner, upon his hire, immediately cooked up 10 new plays designed to unleash the 6-foot-2, 220-pound athletic freak. We saw Patterson used in different ways as a rookie, but Turner plans to unleash him.

"We've had guys who have been very productive players, extremely outstanding players I would say, and they lined up and played one position," Turner said Thursday. "We've had a bunch of other guys we've moved around. We've moved Cordarrelle around quite a bit this week and he seemed to handle it pretty well, so we'll see how much he can handle."

For his part, Patterson is showing maturity, acknowledging he could have worked harder as a rookie, saying: "I think I was kind of bad last year. This year will be way better."

Greg Jennings (101) and Jerome Simpson (96) both saw more targets than Patterson's 72 in 2013, but his 6.4 yards after the catch led the team and tied him fifth in the league with Julio Jones.

Turner has a reputation of unleashing young wideouts. He used Josh Gordon in Cleveland last season as an "X" receiver with the ability to kill teams deep. Patterson figures more as a "Z" type in Minnesota's attack -- something closer to a monster-sized Percy Harvin. That alone should keep NFC North opponents up at night.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down draft news and rumors and plays the popular prediction game, "Go Get My Lunch!"

 

[MoveToSkypager]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

I'm not sure how they could put too much on him too fast. This is his job. He should be learning and practicing 10+ hours a day. That is what most professionals in whatever field have to do. Seriously, learn how to plant the foot hard and run a great route, learn the playbook, go to Fitz' camp, etc.

This isn't that hard, unless he is just not smart.

Football: It isn't that hard

 

[Faust]

Another reason to like Cordarrelle PattersonBy Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

It's a frustrating scenario: Your receiver goes deep and has a chance for a long touchdown, only to get grabbed by a corner just before the ball arrives. Pass interference equals zero Fantasy points.

Pass intereference flags don't show up in Fantasy boxscores, but they help show a receiver's full contribution to his team. It's interesting to see which receivers stressed defenses the most.

Here were the 2013 leaders in drawing pass interference flags, based on yardage awarded:

Vincent Jackson: 124 yards, six flags

Cordarrelle Patterson: 119 yards, four flags

T.Y. Hilton: 103 yards, six flags

Antonio Brown: 97 yards, three flags

Torrey Smith: 93 yards, six flags

Larry Fitzgerald: 90 yards, five flags

Victor Cruz: 87 yards, four flags

Marlon Brown: 82 yards, three flags

Dwayne Bowe: 74 yards, seven flags

Patterson ranked second despite getting 78 targets, fewer than half of Jackson's 159. It's another indication of Patterson's big-play ability, which we talked about here. Patterson put up most of his stats in the season's final five games.

In early mock drafts on FantasyFootballCalculator.com, Patterson is going as the 22nd WR (early 5th round). Jamey Eisenberg and Dave Richard are a little higher on Patterson, who was severely underutilized in 2013. Eisenberg ranks Patterson 18th and Richard puts him 20th.

 

[jurb26]

Bump. Gotta be happy about the Bridgewater pick.

 

[werdnoynek]

Bump. Gotta be happy about the Bridgewater pick.

Couldn't be happier.

 

[Biabreakable]

Recent discussion about Pattersons value relative to the 2014 rookie class - http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=706992&page=3

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Year - Games - Catches - Yards - TDs

1986 9 34 447 4 (nine games)

1987 8 51 799 3 (eight games)

1988 16 86 1414 10

1989 12 70 1382 8

1990 15 76 1294 4

1991 16 93 1523 8

1992 14 78 1396 7

1993 16 88 1330 7

1994 16 74 1397 6

1995 15 56 1005 5

1996 16 52 1014 2 (age 35)

1997 9 29 562 5 (nine starts)

1998 10 44 736 6 (ten starts)

1999 16 65 1191 9 (another we at 1100/7)

2000 13 39 762 3 (fired, 5 diff receivers over 500 yards)

2001 16 71 1125 6 (Flutie as QB)

2002 15 52 734 3 (Fiedler at QB)

2003 16 64 963 11 (Fiedler at QB)

2004 16 64 998 9

2005 15 60 1005 8

2006 13 40 733 3 (Alex Smith to Antonio Bryant!)

2007 16 75 984 9 (TE Gates)

2008 16 59 1098 7

2009 15 68 1167 9

2010 10 50 782 10 (ten games, TE Gates)

2011 16 60 1106 9

2012 14 56 814 5

2013 14 87 1646 9 (Campbell, Hoyer, Weeden)

As an OC 8 of 12 seasons had a (prorated for 16 games) 1,100 yard receiver.

 

[Ted Mullins]

I worry that Jennings may end up being the successful receiver due to him being better as an actual receiver. Has there been much of any news about Patterson lately? Which spot he'll play or anything like that?

 

[Soulfly3]

I worry that Jennings may end up being the successful receiver due to him being better as an actual receiver. Has there been much of any news about Patterson lately? Which spot he'll play or anything like that?

he's playing X receiver

 

[Biabreakable]

I posted this in the Vikings thread a bit back-

Norv Turner says installation of new offense has been 'really smooth'

This is from an interview that Mackey and Judd had with Norv Turner. I looked for an article on this but it may have been overshadowed by the Super Bowl bid stories. So this is me paraphrasing.

Well worth a listen - http://www.1500espn....tswire/vikings#

Norv Turner on Patterson-

Well I have been lucky to coach some really good guys at that position. He looks like some of the best I've been around. Im really excited about the way he is working. We have been going now for over a month. He has not missed a down, not missed a day, hes running, hes in great shape and he has really taken to the way we run routes. To me thats one of the reason I really like coaching. Is to be part of a young players development. To watch a young player grow and have success. Cordaralle is one of those guys who can be as good as he wants to be. He has that mindset. Im going to get ready and have a great year.

On route running from Patterson-

He can be a great route runner. What has happened. Because there is so much attention on these young guys. We went through it with Gordon last season. Scott was coaching WR at the time. People were very critical of him. He ends up leading the league in receiving. He got better. I think he got better all the way through the season in terms of route running, effort, understanding what were asking. Thats the case with young players. You get a guy like Cordarralle you see all that ability and everyone wants it to happen now. Well there is a developmental stage and a process you go through with young players. They never played at this level. They never practiced at this level. Every day is 100% competition. To me its a process you go through. I dont like it when people are critical and negative about them, because we're getting them through that process. I guess I am like the fans, Id love it to be day one they are a finished product. But thats not the way it works. I was with the Rams in 86 or 85, it was Jerry Rices rookie year. We played them. He dropped about 3 balls in the game. The writer says he could be a really good player if he would learn how to catch. Well its a process and Jerry was going through it. Some times you see these young guys and ask is he ever going to get it? Well hes been going at it for 2 months. Lets give him a little time. I mean we are not being paitient with him. We are pushing him. But we understand its a process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Greg Jennings is by far the more developed WR and deep option that Norv has been known to use in the past. There is a poor track record of targets for the 2nd WR in his offenses as well. In part because of the high targets he gives to the TE and RB positions in the passing game.

 

[Ted Mullins]

That's what I am wondering about...if Jennings is actually the more effective deep threat due to route running/technique/etc., it seems like Patterson is pretty overvalued barring a major shift in Norv's previous schemes.

 

[jurb26]

That's what I am wondering about...if Jennings is actually the more effective deep threat due to route running/technique/etc., it seems like Patterson is pretty overvalued barring a major shift in Norv's previous schemes.

There is no doubt that Jennings is a more refined WR at this point. Patterson is playing the X in the offense though and that is the primary WR position in his scheme if I'm not mistaken. Also, Patterson doesn't need to be refined as a deep threat to provide a heck of a lot more explosive plays than Jennings. He's just that much better of an athlete.

 

[zamboni]

IMO Jennings is a solid receiver, but let's face it, Aaron Rodgers made him look very good. Jennings disappeared for stretches last year, and even with improved QB play, I don't see him getting close to the effectiveness he showed with the Pack.

I think the only guy standing in Cordarelle's way to taking his game to the next level is Cordarelle.

 

[Biabreakable]

Greg Jennings: The Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver to Own

• written by
  Phil Alexander
  on Mar 10th, 2014 https://www.numberfire.com/nfl/news/1859/greg-jennings-the-minnesota-vikings-wide-receiver-to-own

As we get ready to enter the NFL free agency period, the fantasy football community is in the throes of a passionate love affair with Minnesota Vikings second year receiverCordarrelle Patterson. In a recent (way too early) industry mock draft I took part in, Patterson went at pick 4.06. I've seen him go as early as the late third round in other mocks. Fortunately in our recent mock, Patterson went in the sixth, which is at least understandable.

To an extent, I get it. Patterson has a first-round NFL draft pedigree, his talent jumps off the screen, our most recent memory of him included six total touchdowns in the final five games of 2013, and now our old pal Norval Turner brings his famed vertical passing game to Minnesota. The dots are easy enough to connect for those predicting a 2014 Patterson breakout.

While I'm as intrigued by Patterson's shiny new toy potential as the next fantasy football degenerate, I would beg fantasy owners to exercise caution. For Patterson to return third- or fourth-round value, a lot has to go right. And it may take more than the combination of Cordarrelle's freakish raw talent and Norv's ingenuity.

To be clear, I'm a huge believer in Norv Turner's presence meaning great things for pretty much all of Minnesota's offensive skill players. If you do not already possess this belief, you must immediately read Jeff Miller's piece on the fantasy impact of Norval calling the shots in Minnesota. Go ahead, I'll wait.

In that piece, numberFire's resident mustache enthusiast unequivocally proves that Norv's presence is cheery news for his team's number one wide receiver. I'm just not so sure that Patterson, at this stage of his development, is ready to be the number one wide receiver in Norv Turner's offense.

Norv, you see, likes to chuck it deep. Since 2007, his quarterbacks have finished outside of the top nine in deep passes (attempts 20 or more yards down field) only once. Last season, the unholy trinity of Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, and Brian Hoyerwould have finished sixth in the category.

Patterson's average depth of target, courtesy of Pro Football Focus, was only 8.5 yards in his rookie season. As C.D. Carter recently pointed out on XN Sports, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd didn't have an aDOT below 17.0 when they performed as top wide receivers within Turner's San Diego teams. Last season, Josh Gordon's aDOT was 14.3, tops amongst wideouts who saw at least 50% of their team's snaps.

Most importantly, those numbers carried over into our Net Expected Points metrics as well. In 2013, only 13 wide receivers with 20 or more receptions finished with a Target NEP total lower than Patterson's. In fact, every time Patterson was targeted last season for the Vikings, he was losing points for the team. While you may want to blame that on the play of his quarterbacks, keep in mind that Patterson's Target NEP was lowest among all Vikings wide receivers a season ago.

In order to make hay as a deep threat in the NFL, a receiver has to be able to get off the line of scrimmage, develop moves that enable them to get past pressing corners, understand how the opposing corner back is playing, and adjust to late rotations by safeties. In short, they have to run their routes well and that's always been difficult for receivers to master early in their career.

Route running ability (and general football smarts) happened to be the biggest knock on Patterson coming out of Tennessee. While it's fair to assume some improvement in his sophomore year, it would be taking an awfully big leap to think Patterson will wrap training camp with the acumen to truly thrive as a consistent deep threat in Norv Turner's offense.

If Patterson is going to have a fantasy impact, it will continue to be on bubble screens, hitches, slants, shallow routes, and designed runs. With a player like Patterson, the goal is to get the ball into his hands as quickly as possible, and let him weave through defenses with his deadly vision and ankle breaking moves after the catch.

While Carter's article highlights wide receiver comps with low aDOTs and high yards after catch numbers (most notably Percy Harvin) who were able to post WR1 seasons, you won't find any that have thrived in a Norv Turner offense. That's not to say Norv won't adapt to Patterson's strengths (after all, his first course of action as Vikings OC was to famously design 10 plays for Patterson), but isn't it more likely that one of the best route runners in the game, and an established deep threat would be the ideal candidate to flourish under Turner's play calling?

Is Greg Jennings the Value Pick?

It was only a year ago that the Vikings paid Greg Jennings $18 million guaranteed because he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. You'll remember Jennings as the fantasy stalwart who ranked inside the top 10 in total receiving yards, yards per game, receiving touchdowns, and yards per reception from 2007 to 2011. Perhaps more interestingly given the current circumstances, Jennings caught 49 passes of more than 20 yards during his time with the Packers, averaging 42.2 yards a catch, the best mark in the league during that time.

Much of the shine has worn off Jennings after an injury plagued 2012, his departure from the Green Bay Packers offensive juggernaut, and a predictably underwhelming 2013 debut in purple and gold. Those factors combined with all the hype around Patterson have created an exceptional buying opportunity. In the same mock that Patterson went at pick 4.06, I gladly snagged Jennings at 9.10 (one pick after Harry Douglas for context). If that difference in average draft position doesn't normalize by August, a bunch of lucky folks will be paying bargain basement price for their WR2.

Jennings is no stranger to running routes down field. Some may argue that Jennings doesn't have much to offer without Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball exactly where it needs to be, but a look beyond the traditional numbers shows that he would have likely maintained WR2 production all year long in 2013 had he not been forced to withstand Christian Ponder's awful play for half the season (Ponder's -14.7 Passing Net Expected Points (NEP) total was 12th-worst in the NFL amongst quarterbacks who threw at least as many passes as he did).

Some advanced stat nuggets from Jennings' 2013 that would suggest he can still be very useful for fake football purposes:

- His 326 yards after catch ranked 24th at wide receiver.

- He posted .64 Reception NEP per target, which tied him with T.Y. Hilton for 21st at wide receiver (minimum 100 targets). Jennings high ranking in this efficiency category is telling because it shows he was still maximizing the targets he received.

- His 6.85% drop rate on catchable balls was 17th-lowest in the league at wide receiver.

- Per PFF, Jennings' quarterbacks had a 79.8 rating when they threw him the ball, ranking him ahead of Pierre Garcon, Andre Johnson, and A.J. Green, to name a few.

- Very importantly, he had a solid 33% catch rate on targets of 20 or more yards – good for a top 20 finish among receivers with at least 18 deep targets.

The Vikings recently locked up Matt Cassel on a two-year deal, presumably to give them a respectable bridge to their QB of the future. Cassel may not be Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre, but he made the Vikings competitive, and was worlds better than Ponder (and the disastrous Josh Freeman) last season. Cassel's presence as Minnesota's starter, and his potential fit in Norv's offense are a big deal for Greg Jennings. Even just a couple of weeks ago, our own JJ Zachariason noted that Cassel's best fit was in Minnesota.

If there's one thing that Cassel does well, it's throw the deep ball. Cassel had a 97.7 QBR on deep pass attempts last season. And even if you hate QBR, when you factor in dropped passes, he completed 47.4% of his 20 plus yard attempts – good for sixth-best in the NFL.

Cassel's chemistry with Jennings is undeniable. In the six games started by Cassel, Jennings had 34 receptions for 413 yards and three scores. In the nine games started by Ponder and/or Freeman, he had 33 receptions for 391 yards and one touchdown. Jennings was every bit a fantasy WR2 with Cassel in the lineup – numbers that should be easy to sustain when we factor in the pending Norv Turner bump.

To put a bow on it, Greg Jennings is one of the best receivers to play in the NFL in the past eight years. In fact, he's had three seasons with a Reception NEP score of 100 points or higher, which is usually a top 10 to 15 Net Expected Points total among wide receivers. And the only time he's scored noticeably low within numberFire metrics was 2012, a season where he missed eight games.

Jennings is guaranteed to benefit from the aggressive vertical passing game Norv Turner is bringing to the Vikings. While he may not possess the size of some of Norv Turner's past WR1s, he makes up for it with savvy route running and great hands. He has been a top deep threat in the league as recently as 2010. Not only does he get to shake the stink of Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman next season, he (presumably) gets to play with a passer whom he enjoys a strong rapport.

I don't want to condemn Cordarrelle Patterson because I love to watch him play, but he might currently be the worst fourth-round draft pick in all of fantasy football. Video game numbers will be there in the handful of games where he's able to break a big play (or two...or three), but I'd venture to guess he'll leave you staring at just as many three-reception, 40-yard box scores when he's unable to hit the home run.

If you're going to invest in a Vikings pass-catcher for next season, make it the one who stands a chance of exceeding his draft day price tag. Patterson's ceiling might be third-round value, but you shouldn't have to pay the expectant price – not when you can draft the Vikings actual WR1 five or six rounds later.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought this was a well written article with some good evidence to support it.

That is not to say that Patterson cannot also have a good season in the Vikings offense. It just may not be as the WR 1 in Norv Turners offense.

The Vikings wrapping up OTAs HC Mike Zimmer said they are going to scale back some of the plays that they have introduced to the team so far now that they have had time to evaluate what their players do best in the offense.

I see a lot of crossing routes in OTA footage which is something Patterson ran alright in TN. I just don't think he will be targeted as much as Jennings will.

Looking over the history of WR2 in Norv Turners offenses looks a bit bleak. But there have been instances of his offense supporting 2 WR in the top 35 of WR.

1999

Michael Westbrook 65rec 1191yards 9TD 10th

Albert Connell 62rec 1132 7TD 13th

Larry Centers was the leading reciever with 69rec and Brian Mitchell had 31. TE Alexander had 29rec and their primary RB was Stephen Davis who had 23 receptions.

2005

Randy Moss 60rec 1005yards 8TD

Jerry Porter 76rec 942yards 5TD

Lamont Jordan had 70 rec and the next highest player was TE Cortney Anderson 24

The next best examples of WR2 performance were in SD 2009 and 2011. They had Gates and Sproles so Floyd was only getting 40 some receptions and scored 1 and 5TD.

The thing about Patterson though is that he has scored a TD 12% of the time he has touched the ball on offense. If that continues and they can get him the ball more (they should) I could definitely see him scoring double digit TD. So even if the receptions are not that high. He could still score good points that way.

 

[nastynate]

Nice article. From a value perspective, I think it's right. Patterson is being overvalued a little and Jennings undervalued.

Patterson could very well have a great year, but I'm not sure I'm willing to be a 4th round pick on it.

 

[Yenrub]

Nice article. From a value perspective, I think it's right. Patterson is being overvalued a little and Jennings undervalued.

Patterson could very well have a great year, but I'm not sure I'm willing to be a 4th round pick on it.

It looks like if you want him you have draft him early

Per the ADP query on MFL

His ADP in 52 redrafts done after June 1st is 3.09

 

[JPeso]

85, 1000 (11.7 YPC), 8 TD, 200 rush, 2 TD = 265 PPR

 

[cstu]

85, 1000 (11.7 YPC), 8 TD, 200 rush, 2 TD = 265 PPR

Receptions and YPC might be a bit high, but that's about where I have him.

 

[Bob Magaw]

As much as I love hearing that Minn has bigger plans for Patterson. I hope they aren't trying to put too much on him too fast. He's still a young WR with little experience playing the position. His talent is off the charts but he needs to take it a bit slow IMO.

He's played WR all 3 years in college, just because it was a JUCO school doesn't mean it doesn't count.

JUCO experience isn't remotely the same as D1 or NFL. Had he played D1 all 3 years instead of just 1 he'd have been a top 10 pick.

You said little experience and that just isn't accurate. No reason to get all defensive. Quality of coaching is another argument, but i'd rather having less quality coaching vs "little experience playing the position"

Who's defensive? He didn't run an extensive route tree while at the JUCO school and faced poor competition. He also didn't play football at all in 2009, likely leading to his ending up at a JUCO school. He's had one season vs. top college competition and 1 season in the NFL, so yeah I'd say his experience is still very much lacking. He was a raw prospect coming out with limited rout tree experience. It's the reason he dropped to the back half of round one.

Little experience playing the position= hasn't played WR very long. He had 113 receptions for 1831 yards and 24 TDs his two seasons of JUCO ball, that is experience. You have no idea what his route tree was or his coaching....you're guessing. I'm not disagreeing that Patterson wasn't technically sound coming into the NFL(many WRs have things to work on), but he does come with more experience than you're giving him credit for.

I watched Patterson so I do know. He ran almost 3 routes exclusively; hitch, bubble screen and fly route. He was so much better than his competition it was laughable. Maybe you didn't watch him but that doesn't mean nobody else did.

You have coaches film from his JUCO games? I'm not talking about Highlight reels here

If you did have access to his JUCO coaches film, than you can weigh in on whether or not he ran a sophisticated route tree. If not, you are in the same position, guessing.There are reasonable and unreasonable guesses. Most don't have the access, time or inclination to extensively break down a player's JUCO body of work, and find themselves in the same position. It's possible that Patterson was a sophisticated route runner at the JUCO level despite not showing that his one season at Tennessee and rookie season in MIN. While you are both guessing, your position is more counterintuitive.

It doesn't mean he can't be great, I think he will be.

It's not controversial to suggest the "experience" you get from JUCO-level coaching and level of completion isn't as impressive as at the FBS level. Somebody could have several years experience playing the WR position at the park with his buddies, but scouts would be unlikely to weight that experience the same as several years of FBS experience. It's great that he was playing WR in the JUCO ranks as opposed to, say, NT for two years at TEN and than a massive positional conversion to WR his last season in college. But I'd still take three years of FBS WR experience over one.

I don't think the Vikings or many in the fantasy/dynasty community valued Patterson because he was in any way, shape or form a sophisticated route runner. It was because he is a physical phenom and freakish athlete, and they are rolling the dice he can be coached up. I think he can.

It is a fair question and a good one whether a prospect's positional experience at a JUCO level is the same as several years of FBS coaching and level of competition (rather than dismissing it on the basis of 2 = 2, categorically, regardless of level), because it can impact on developmental time expectations, based on potentially different STARTING POINTS of respective prospects, with some being more or less advanced and refined.

That is of course a separate issue from talent and athleticism (of which I'm convinced Patterson has a lot of both), but it can help calibrate expectations for that talent and athleticism based on differences in development.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

85, 1000 (11.7 YPC), 8 TD, 200 rush, 2 TD = 265 PPR

Receptions and YPC might be a bit high, but that's about where I have him.

If receptions go down, doesn't the other go up??

 

[cstu]

85, 1000 (11.7 YPC), 8 TD, 200 rush, 2 TD = 265 PPR

Receptions and YPC might be a bit high, but that's about where I have him.

If receptions go down, doesn't the other go up??

Yards would go down as well.

YPC is tough to project for Patterson since he most of his catches were under 10 yards but he does have the potential to break long ones. I'm conservatively putting him at 11 YPC.

75/825/8 receiving, 30/210/2 rushing

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings said the team plans to showcase WR Cordarrelle Patterson this season. Jennings hinted that Patterson could overtake him as the No. 1 wide receiver for the team

(Rotoworld)Greg Jennings said he's been told the Vikings are going to "showcase" Cordarrelle Patterson.

Analysis: After sitting down with new coach Mike Zimmer and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, Jennings "quickly got a sense of how prominently Patterson would be featured in the Vikings' offense." It's a stark change from last season, when Bill Musgrave inexplicably shackled Patterson's freakish natural ability. We're still worried about C-Patt's raw route running, but Turner is going to scheme the ball into his hands any way he can. Owners that like to bet on talent and let the chips fall should be salivating.

 

[Soulfly3]

LOVING this news.

 

[jurb26]

Humm, so that's why I just got 2 offers for Patterson.