NFL.com: Vikings season preview: Teddy Bridgewater or bust

[mansquatch]

I wonder if there is more to it than just Teddy? Even with 8 men in the box, the WR also have to make the right reads and run the proper routes. Teddy hitting the guy is what we seem to focus on and yet it might be the last thing that has to go right for the play to happen. No way to know this of course.

Favre had a lot of success in 2009 simply by having Sidney Rice and the confidence that he would win the battle on a jump ball on the outside. He also gave Shiancoe his best season. Rudolph has been getting more catches under TB, so there is that happening.

It would seem that Mike Wallace is exactly the type of WR we would want given 8 in the box. As soon as TB sees that formation Wallace should be running a deep route to leverage his speed. We haven't seen that happen yet, but I do not know if we are not seeing the 8 man box from the defense, if Norv doesn't have confidence in the OL to support that kind of play, if TB has trouble with the pass, or who knows what else?

[mondry]

I wonder if there is more to it than just Teddy? Even with 8 men in the box, the WR also have to make the right reads and run the proper routes. Teddy hitting the guy is what we seem to focus on and yet it might be the last thing that has to go right for the play to happen. No way to know this of course.

Favre had a lot of success in 2009 simply by having Sidney Rice and the confidence that he would win the battle on a jump ball on the outside. He also gave Shiancoe his best season. Rudolph has been getting more catches under TB, so there is that happening.

It would seem that Mike Wallace is exactly the type of WR we would want given 8 in the box. As soon as TB sees that formation Wallace should be running a deep route to leverage his speed. We haven't seen that happen yet, but I do not know if we are not seeing the 8 man box from the defense, if Norv doesn't have confidence in the OL to support that kind of play, if TB has trouble with the pass, or who knows what else?

Yeah, I hate to harp on this so damn much but we really could have used a Keenan Allen or Deandre Hopkins, it's really hurting us now that we selected Patterson. Those guys simply destroy single coverage.

I think what we have out there is good enough to be better then what we have currently shown though, there were definitely open guys Teddy has missed for whatever reason.

[Mothman]

Yeah, I hate to harp on this so damn much but we really could have used a Keenan Allen or Deandre Hopkins, it's really hurting us now that we selected Patterson. Those guys simply destroy single coverage.

It's not as if Patterson even gets the opportunity...

[mondry]

It's not as if Patterson even gets the opportunity...

You watching MNF? I'd like to see them run this play they've ran for Cobb where it's a quick pass and 2 WR's block for him and it's just an open field with the ball in his hands to make something happen. Even Patterson should be able to handle something like that.

[Mothman]

You watching MNF? I'd like to see them run this play they've ran for Cobb where it's a quick pass and 2 WR's block for him and it's just an open field with the ball in his hands to make something happen. Even Patterson should be able to handle something like that.

I haven't been watching the game but the Packers run that play all the time so I know which one you're talking about. I have no doubt Patterson could run it. Musgrave had him run similar plays during his rookie season. Heck, he can run more than that. We've seen him do it. The Vikes stubbornly refuse to get him more involved.

[DK Sweets]

I think by this point everybody knows I would like to see Patterson on offense more, but to be fair, that quick screen would probably be less effective for us. None of our receivers seem to be very good blockers and most of them have a distinct size disadvantage.

[Mothman]

I think by this point everybody knows I would like to see Patterson on offense more, but to be fair, that quick screen would probably be less effective for us. None of our receivers seem to be very good blockers and most of them have a distinct size disadvantage.

Fair point but we have lots of TEs and they've been lining Rudolph up wide at times so maybe they could run a variation with him as a blocker.

Screen or no screen, they need to get the ball to him more often. I understand the dim view many fans have him but it's been at least 8 regular season games since he was benched (plus a full offseason). That's a lot of time in which to make some progress and it appeared to me he was making some this preseason. It would be nice to see him given the chance to make a bigger contribution on the field. Maybe he'd make the most of the opportunity.

[PurpleMustReign]

To me, he can't run routes well... Fine... Then hand the ball to him in the backfield like Percy... Or do a screen to him. Give him something he can do. I remember when Norv came on board, he said he added plays for Patterson... Well where are they?

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[fiestavike]

I remember when Norv came on board, he said he added plays for Patterson... Well where are they?

To me, he can't run routes well

I think you answered your own question. Patterson needs to show improvement if he wants to be part of the offense. Its not as though the Vikings have such great options at WR that they couldn't use an elite physical talent out there. Pretty sure the coaches would LOVE to be able to see him take that step. As Zimmer said, its up to him.

[mansquatch]

To me, he can't run routes well... Fine... Then hand the ball to him in the backfield like Percy... Or do a screen to him. Give him something he can do. I remember when Norv came on board, he said he added plays for Patterson... Well where are they?

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This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the reason we do not see this is that opposing teams know he is a one trick pony and thus he is very easy to defend. With Harvin you had to respect that he could run routes besides bubble screens and thus if you pressed him you might get burned deep. With CP84 opposing teams do not seem to have the same fear.

I also wonder in CP84's case if consistency is a big issue. Turnovers are killers in the NFL and if a WR is going to tip balls or be out of position, that can lose footballs games in a hurry. I can see trust from the coaches being a factor.

[losperros]

To me, he can't run routes well... Fine... Then hand the ball to him in the backfield like Percy... Or do a screen to him. Give him something he can do. I remember when Norv came on board, he said he added plays for Patterson... Well where are they?

That's a fair question and I'm beginning to think too much heat is falling on Patterson. It's Norv Turner's job (and he gets paid big bucks) to utilize the offensive skill players in the best way possible. It's not like Patterson hasn't shown skills, because he most certainly has. The entire "bad route running" mantra is beginning to wear thin for me. Patterson can run slants, go routes, WR screens (which Turner uses), and he can carry the ball out of the backfield.

It's not like I'm some hopeless Patterson fan. I just want the Vikings to win. If Patterson hadn't scored TDs on kick returns, running plays, and passing plays before, then I would understand keeping him on the bench. What irritates me the most is that it's possible the team's offense is missing something by not playing CP more often. Seriously, a supposed offensive genius like Norv Turner can't find a way to pair a big play guy like Patterson with a stud like AD. I'm having a difficult time believing that.

[IrishViking]

That's a fair question and I'm beginning to think too much heat is falling on Patterson. It's Norv Turner's job (and he gets paid big bucks) to utilize the offensive skill players in the best way possible. It's not like Patterson hasn't shown skills, because he most certainly has. The entire "bad route running" mantra is beginning to wear thin for me. Patterson can run slants, go routes, WR screens (which Turner uses), and he can carry the ball out of the backfield.

It's not like I'm some hopeless Patterson fan. I just want the Vikings to win. If Patterson hadn't scored TDs on kick returns, running plays, and passing plays before, then I would understand keeping him on the bench. What irritates me the most is that it's possible the team's offense is missing something by not playing CP more often. Seriously, a supposed offensive genius like Norv Turner can't find a way to pair a big play guy like Patterson with a stud like AD. I'm having a difficult time believing that.

Okay I understand but lets take this example. What do you do if you have an Employee (Patterson) and you (Zim or Norv) tell him to learn to do something (memorize the play book). And he just doesn't. He seems to have the intelligence, the skills and what have you, but he just doesn't learn what you tell him to learn. At some point you have to hold him accountable regardless of skill.

If he is failing to do what the coaches are asking of him he can't be "rewarded" with play time. He clearly either A) isn't talented enough (which seems unlikely) or B ) isn't doing what he is asked to do to get out on the field. That's where MY frustration stems from. There isn't some conspiracy to keep him off the field. He isn't a 10 year vet being asked to learn a totally new system. He was a rookie asked to learn the BASICS of his job. IF he were a solid WR why would he not be on the field? We have a RB, there is no need to put him in the back field where he would be keyed on. We have a Wideout in Jarius that can perform wideout duties AND run sweeps very effectively, so there is no need to put Patterson in on those plays, where he would be keyed on. The only way to use Patterson in an effective manner is if he is able to Perform the duties of a Wideout so that when he comes in he isn't a "tell" of some sort to the defense or a decoy that will more than likely simply be a waste of a body on the play. If he is unable to do the duties of his primary job, his ability to run gadget plays is greatly diminished to the point of it probably being a better percentage play to just hand it to AP up the gut and hope he breaks one.

[Mothman]

This is pure speculation on my part, but I think the reason we do not see this is that opposing teams know he is a one trick pony and thus he is very easy to defend. With Harvin you had to respect that he could run routes besides bubble screens and thus if you pressed him you might get burned deep. With CP84 opposing teams do not seem to have the same fear.

I also wonder in CP84's case if consistency is a big issue. Turnovers are killers in the NFL and if a WR is going to tip balls or be out of position, that can lose footballs games in a hurry. I can see trust from the coaches being a factor.

Consistency seemed to be the issue last year. Who knows if it's still an issue? He hasn't played enough for us to find out and we don't have access to team practices.

Regarding your first point, Patterson isn't incompetent. He can burn a team deep. He did it in the preseason and he's shown an ability to get open downfield in the past. He doesn't need to be limited to screens and runs. He's demonstrated that he can do more than that as a receiver so I find the reoccurrence of that idea in thread after thread a bit maddening. Consistency may be an issue but I don't think cowardice, complacency, stupidity, incompetence, etc. are the problems. If defenses don't fear Patterson as a downfield threat the Vikings should use that and burn them deep because we know, from seeing him do it, that Patterson can indeed get open down the field!

That's a fair question and I'm beginning to think too much heat is falling on Patterson. It's Norv Turner's job (and he gets paid big bucks) to utilize the offensive skill players in the best way possible. It's not like Patterson hasn't shown skills, because he most certainly has. The entire "bad route running" mantra is beginning to wear thin for me. Patterson can run slants, go routes, WR screens (which Turner uses), and he can carry the ball out of the backfield.

It's not like I'm some hopeless Patterson fan. I just want the Vikings to win. If Patterson hadn't scored TDs on kick returns, running plays, and passing plays before, then I would understand keeping him on the bench. What irritates me the most is that it's possible the team's offense is missing something by not playing CP more often. Seriously, a supposed offensive genius like Norv Turner can't find a way to pair a big play guy like Patterson with a stud like AD. I'm having a difficult time believing that.

Well said. Frankly, I don't believe it, which is why I've been tough on Norv when it comes to this subject.

I'm not some hopeless Patterson fan either but his talent is evident and the Vikes are doing next to nothing to take advantage of that. It's aggravating.

[IrishViking]

Well said. Frankly, I don't believe it, which is why I've been tough on Norv when it comes to this subject.

I'm not some hopeless Patterson fan either but his talent is evident and the Vikes are doing next to nothing to take advantage of that. It's aggravating.

My concern is I think he is rapidly approaching the status of being a "Tell" about the only think you can be sure of this year with Patterson on the field is that he ISN'T going to run any sort of route.

[Mothman]

Okay I understand but lets take this example. What do you do if you have an Employee (Patterson) and you (Zim or Norv) tell him to learn to do something (memorize the play book). And he just doesn't. He seems to have the intelligence, the skills and what have you, but he just doesn't learn what you tell him to learn. At some point you have to hold him accountable regardless of skill.

If he is failing to do what the coaches are asking of him he can't be "rewarded" with play time.

... and yet that lack of playing time is virtually the only "evidence" we have that there's an issue. It's unfair to just assume he's not learning the playbook, not doing what he's asked, etc. and yet fans keep making assumptions like that again and again. Hasn't Zimmer repeatedly said Patterson is doing what they ask of him, that he's working hard? Heck, after Sunday's game, he was asked if they expect to use Patterson more at receiver and he responded by saying, "Well, he continues to do a good job working and I think we’ll continue to get him in the mix, yeah." We know from his recent comment about Exum (“He's a possibility if he can ever figure out what to do”) that Zimmer is willing to zing a player publicly about this very issue and yet he's been complimentary of Patterson this year.