Zimmer pleased with Patterson's offseason work, 'mentality'

[losperros]

His boss and coworkers have positive things to say! I'm sold!

Demi has negative things to say! I'm sold!

yeah the off season totally changed him .. One catch for six yards ... bottom of the list

One freakin' preseason game where the starting WRs weren't hardly used and you come up with that? Are you #### serious?

Okay, we get it. You dislike Patterson. Good for you. Excuse some of us for pulling for CP because he's a Viking. It helps the team if he succeeds.

[Purple bruise]

Demi has negative things to say! I'm sold!

One freakin' preseason game where the starting WRs weren't hardly used and you come up with that? Are you #### serious?

Okay, we get it. You dislike Patterson. Good for you. Excuse some of us for pulling for CP because he's a Viking. It helps the team if he succeeds.

Amen to that Maybe start a new thread titled "Let's Bash CP". That way the same posters, that deem it necessary, can "knock themselves out" lamenting over and over what a waste CP is.

[jackal]

One freakin' preseason game where the starting WRs weren't hardly used and you come up with that? Are you #### serious?

Okay, we get it. You dislike Patterson. Good for you. Excuse some of us for pulling for CP because he's a Viking. It helps the team if he succeeds.

Woah.. I want Patterson to be a beast; however, all I am hearing is B.S. about off season workouts .. which he didn't show up, for after the coach set it up...

All I can go off of is what actually occured. Time will tell, but I honestly am going to be shocked, if his value for the Vikings, is him showing up like a clown

on a video or interview with a P/R story.

[losperros]

Woah.. I want Patterson to be a beast; however, all I am hearing is B.S. about off season workouts .. which he didn't show up, for after the coach set it up...

All I can go off of is what actually occured.

And only you know what actually occurred? Not Zimmer, George Stewart, Mike Wallace, or any of the other coaches or players that have noted Patterson's hard work?

Could you please provide some proof that you know what's going on within the team better than the Vikings players and coaches?

[Mothman]

Woah.. I want Patterson to be a beast; however, all I am hearing is B.S. about off season workouts .. which he didn't show up, for after the coach set it up...

I think WAY too much has been made of that. Did Mike Zimmer ever even say he wanted Patterson to train with this secret mentor? If I'm not mistaken, the idea was introduced (to the media) at Zimmer's season-ending press conference. He said:

“I talked to someone today about Cordarrelle, about working with Cordarrelle, about getting those two guys together. Somebody that I trust, somebody that I think would be a great influence for him and I’m not going to talk about who it is. That’s part of the thing that I said last week about I have a plan for him, but we’re not allowed to coach him (until the offseason program begins), that’s partly why it’s up to him. I think this would be good for him and hopefully he will follow through and get to where he needs to get to.”

Maybe "working with" meant "training", maybe not. Patterson did meet with that player and we have no idea what was actually said in that conversation.

At the combine, Zimmer said Patterson had been in contact with the unnamed person mentioned above. Zimmer told KFAN:

"I communicated with (Patterson) once and gave him all the information of who he needs to contact," Zimmer told KFAN's Paul Allen from the combine. "That has (happened) and I found out recently that, on his own, he decided he wanted to do this other thing too, which I think is a good thing for him. So he's off doing that thing right now."
Zimmer didn't offer any details but said he likes the approach Patterson has taken.

"The thing that he's doing right now is not so much about the coaching," Zimmer said when asked about Patterson going out on his own. "It's about the mentality of being a professional football player. I think this is a good thing for him. If it wasn't I would let him know."

In May, this was published in the Pioneer Press:

Zimmer likes what wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has done so far in offseason workouts. Patterson is looking to bounce back from a shaky season after showing great promise as a rookie in 2013.

"He's really done well,'' Zimmer said. "He's running routes good; he's working hard. So we just need him to continue to do those things and continue to keep getting consistent and keep improving. I've been impressed with the things that he's done.''

Patterson had 45 catches for 469 yards in 2013 before slipping to 33 grabs for 384 yards in 2014 and losing his starting job. Veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings had talked last December about taking Patterson under his wing, but Jennings was released in March after the Vikings traded for Mike Wallace.

So which player could replace Jennings as a possible mentor to Patterson? Could it be Wallace?

"Hopefully, (offensive coordinator Norv Turner) is his mentor and I'm his mentor,'' Zimmer said. "Sometimes that's way overrated, guys mentoring other guys.''

Three days into camp this summer, Zimmer was impressed:

"So far he's done good," Zimmer said. "These (three) days he's been impressive. Today's a new day. Hopefully today is just as good as yesterday and yesterday was as good as the day before."

Now, we can ignore all of that positive talk from Zimmer, including the report that he actually liked the approach Patterson was taking this offseason, or we can take him at his word. It's clear from numerous reports that Patterson worked hard this offseason so that's certainly not "B.S.".

All I can go off of is what actually occurred. Time will tell, but I honestly am going to be shocked, if his value for the Vikings, is him showing up like a clown

on a video or interview with a P/R story.

I have no idea what that means. However, according to reports, what "actually occurred" this offseason was a lot of hard work from Patterson and an approach that seemed to please his head coach.

[jackal]

And only you know what actually occurred? Not Zimmer, George Stewart, Mike Wallace, or any of the other coaches or players that have noted Patterson's hard work?

Could you please provide some proof that you know what's going on within the team better than the Vikings players and coaches?

Zimmer, asked a ex NFL receiver/mentor, to work with Patterson, in the off season. The word went out, through an interview that Zimmer was pleased with Patterson's
off season, I assume, due to the workout that Zimmer, had set up for Patterson. Patterson elected to not work with the ex player/supposedly in the bay area.
Supposedly Patterson worked somewhere else in the off season( Training facility(not NFL related)). The links for these facts are posted in the nine pages of this actual thread.

If you want to know the facts, read all of the articles, and do your own, home work. Then you can draw, your own conclusion.

Please do not make the mistake, of determining why I feel the way I do. I have tried to explain my reasoning, in this thread, a few times.

[Pondering Her Percy]

yeah the off season totally changed him .. One catch for six yards ... bottom of the list

I can't even believe this was said Wallace didnt have a catch and CJ had 1 catch for 1 yard....yeah they must be bad too

[Mothman]

Zimmer, asked a ex NFL receiver/mentor, to work with Patterson, in the off season. The word went out, through an interview that Zimmer was pleased with Patterson's
off season, I assume, due to the workout that Zimmer, had set up for Patterson.

The second quote in my post above illustrates that's not the case. Zimmer said he liked the approach Patterson was taking and Zimmer's comments make it clear he knew Patterson was doing something other than working with the "mentor" Zimmer recommended. Based on context, it's probably safe to assume Zimmer also knew Patterson was working with "hell's trainer" Frank Matrisciano

Supposedly Patterson worked somewhere else in the off season( Training facility(not NFL related)).

Not "supposedly". It's been well-established that he worked out with Matrisciano.

Please do not make the mistake, of determining why I feel the way I do. I have tried to explain my reasoning, in this thread, a few times.

I think we're all just wondering why you'd go after Patterson after he made a brief appearance in one preseason game. He caught the pass thrown his way and picked up six yards. Wallace and Johnson did less in their brief appearances (not that much should be expected in that amount of playing time), although each had a pass thrown their way, yet you chose to take a shot at Patterson. It came across as unfair, to say the least.

[jackal]

I have no idea what that means. However, according to reports, what "actually occurred" this off season was a lot of hard work from Patterson and an approach that seemed to please his head coach.

The clown comments, refer to my frustration with Patterson, in some of the Vikings videos. Last season cleaning out the locker video. Patterson's portion was spent naming of his nicknames and it seemed to be like he had
a great season. The guy got benched with HOF talent, which I believe, he actually has. Then we find out, Patterson was asked by Zimmer to work with someone to perfect his craft. For whatever reason, Patterson choose not
to go. The guy costs us three picks and IMO does not the same talent Diggs already has, in the route tree. Every time I see him he seems light hearted and joking around, in videos.

I think, I have the right want to see pro bowl type stats. (BTW in the Vikings video on NFL network, it shows Zimmer cussing Pattterson, what the F is he doing?) IMO Patterson has more than enough opportunity to learn a route tree.
In Norv's video during training camp he does not list Patterson as working post practice, with the jugs machine. The Vikings had so many guys working on their hands they had to get another machine. I wish I could
have watched who was working extra. I feel its logical to assume that the team would promote Patterson staying after to get extra work in.

Mothman wrote,

I think we're all just wondering why you'd go after Patterson after he made a brief appearance in one preseason game. He caught the pass thrown his way and picked up six yards. Wallace and Johnson did less in their brief appearances (not that much should be expected in that amount of playing time), although each had a pass thrown their way, yet you chose to take a shot at Patterson. It came across as unfair, to say the least.

I watched the game again and Patterson had two targets of which one probably not really possible to catch(other than Chris carter).

I believe Patterson; until he plays well, should be watched carefully. I support the team to the best of my ability, get NFL network every season,
fly across the nation to see games, follow every article I can find. From the evidence I have been given Patterson lost his starting job and was
unwilling to do what Zimmer asked of him. Basically I want him to perform and nothing else ...show that your worthy of a high draft pick much less, three.

[losperros]

Maybe you should follow your own advice. Read all the articles, including the ones that are positive.

You've conveniently ignored all of Jim's recent responses to you. He offers some direct quotes from Zimmer, for example. Maybe you should read them.

And not only will you not explain why you feel you have the inside track on what Patterson is doing, you won't address the positive comments by Zimmer, the coaches, and players. Are they all lying? Or don't they know as much as you do?

Go ahead and pummel Patterson as you have been throughout the thread. And you can even say the same things over and over and over again without offering a shred of evidence. As I said before, we get it.

[jackal]

Maybe you should follow your own advice. Read all the articles, including the ones that are positive.

I have .. thank you

You've conveniently ignored all of Jim's recent responses to you. He offers some direct quotes from Zimmer, for example. Maybe you should read them.

Jim posted this is as i was re watching the HOF game with Patterson's reps and then responding to your post.

I then responded to part of it and added to my post.

And not only will you not explain why you feel you have the inside track on what Patterson is doing, you won't address the positive comments by Zimmer, the coaches, and players. Are they all lying? Or don't they know as much as you do?

Go ahead and pummel Patterson as you have been throughout the thread. And you can even say the same things over and over and over again without offering a shred of evidence. As I said before, we get it.

I will give my opinion freely on Patterson.. If you don't like you are free to FOE me. I don't care if you agree, or"we get it"

[Mothman]

The clown comments, refer to my frustration with Patterson, in some of the Vikings videos. Last season cleaning out the locker video. Patterson's portion was spent naming of his nicknames and it seemed to be like he had
a great season. The guy got benched with HOF talent, which I believe, he actually has. Then we find out, Patterson was asked by Zimmer to work with someone to perfect his craft.

Let's be precise. Zimmer recommended Patterson work with someone Zimmer thought "would be a great influence" and would "would be good for him". The idea that this person was going to train with Patterson and help him perfect his craft seems to be an assumption, nothing more. It's not even clear in just what capacity Zimmer was thinking this person would help Patterson, just that he thought it could be good for him.

For whatever reason, Patterson choose not to go. The guy costs us three picks and IMO does not the same talent Diggs already has, in the route tree. Every time I see him he seems light hearted and joking around, in videos.

So what? Is there something wrong with a football player having fun? Plenty of great football players do the same thing. It doesn't mean they don't work hard.

In Norv's video during training camp he does not list Patterson as working post practice, with the jugs machine.

Again, so what? He didn't name every other receiver on the roster either. It doesn't mean they weren't putting in the time. Quotes from coaches are rarely comprehensive.

The Vikings had so many guys working on their hands they had to get another machine. I wish I could
have watched who was working extra. I feel its logical to assume that the team would promote Patterson staying after to get extra work in.

It's not logical. Absence of evidence in that particular instance doesn't serve as evidence.

I watched the game again and Patterson had two targets of which one probably not really possible to catch(other than Chris carter).

I believe Patterson; until he plays well, should be watched carefully.

Fair enough but watching him carefully is quite different from "yeah the off season totally changed him .. One catch for six yards ... bottom of the list", which obviously struck a bunch of people as unfairly critical.

I support the team to the best of my ability, get NFL network every season,
fly across the nation to see games, follow every article I can find. From the evidence I have been given Patterson lost his starting job and was
unwilling to do what Zimmer asked of him.

You're ignoring all of the positive stuff and choosing to focus on that one negative. It's suggests bias.

Basically I want him to perform and nothing else ...show that your worthy of a high draft pick much less, three.

Is it logical or fair to expect him to do that with one catchable pass in one preseason game?

[losperros]

I will give my opinion freely on Patterson.. If you don't like you are free to FOE me. I don't care if you agree, or"we get it"

Wow...that is heavy. We all give our opinions freely. Not just you.

And if you want me to foe you over something like this, you're out of luck. Besides, I like reading your posts. I just don't happen to agree with your dubious logic in this thread.

BTW, are you going to answer the questions above?

[jackal]

Jim others players were named that were working and Norv wouldn't say who was not working..

If i remember Paul Allen was digging and Norv didn't respond, as to who was or wasn't there.

I honestly wan't the viking to win a super bowl and have been wishing this since the early 90's

I would love to see Patterson, Wallace, Wright, Johnson, and Diggs all score 10 plus touchdowns
and shatter the 98 Vikings records.

I love having fun, but my background was very discipline based and says work first hard, and then play hard.

[Mothman]

Jim others players were named that were working and Norv wouldn't say who was not working..

If i remember Paul Allen was digging and Norv didn't respond, as to who was or wasn't there.

i remember the interview. There was nothing in it that would implicate Patterson as a slacker and as I said above, absence of evidence isn't evidence. It's simply unfair to assume the worst based on an interview like that.

I honestly wan't the viking to win a super bowl and have been wishing this since the early 90's

I don't think anybody doubts or questions that, Ken. We all know you're a true fan.

I love having fun, but my background was very discipline based and says work first hard, and then play hard.

I understand but when it comes to football, the two aren't mutually exclusive. You cited an example of Patterson having fun while cleaning out his locker. That's not exactly a "hard work and focus" situation.

His coaches say he's working hard and all indications are that he worked very hard this offseason. Surely all of that means something. Why not just give the guy a break and see what he does over the next several months, in meaningful games, in his second year in Turner's system? He only had one year of major college football experience. No matter what the Vikes spent to draft him, a player like that is inevitably going to need years to truly refine his game and a change of coaches and systems from year one to year two probably didn't exactly speed up the process.

I think we need to be patient with Patterson.