WR Cordarrelle Patterson

[Mothman]

Souhan: Patterson already possesses that look
Sure, it’s early in training camp, but a first glimpse of rookie Cordarrelle Patterson reveals special skills.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 27491.html

That was a good read! Thanks for the link. This was interesting and fits with Patterson's profile coming out of college:

“In particular, carrying the football, he’s dynamic,” Frazier said. “He has the vertical speed to get behind defensive backs. That won’t be an issue. That’s going to give us a dimension we didn’t have a year ago.

“But where he’s electric is when you get him the ball on a bubble screen or a reverse or a hitch or a slant. He’s pretty special.”

However, you can almost hear the groans that last line line will elicit from some Vikings fans. To me, those skills could make him the right receiver for the offense they're building. Ponder's at his best when he can drop, set and throw in rhythm so a receiver that can take a hitch or slant to the house is a good compliment to his strengths (and, of course, a good fit for a WCO).

[losperros]

However, you can almost hear the groans that last line line will elicit from some Vikings fans. To me, those skills could make him the right receiver for the offense they're building. Ponder's at his best when he can drop, set and throw in rhythm so a receiver that can take a hitch or slant to the house is a good compliment to his strengths (and, of course, a good fit for a WCO).

I know what you mean about the groans.

The way I see it is what Frazier is saying is a real positive. He touches on Patterson being good at the deep stuff by getting behind the DBs. But also Cordarrelle can turn a small yardage throw into something big. That simply sounds like a versatile receiver to me who has a multitude of skills. And that's what I'm hoping is the case with Patterson.

[mansquatch]

I think the addition of Jennings was meant to address the outside passing stuff. They've said from the start that Patterson was raw and that at first they'd find ways to get the ball in his hands to take advantage of his skills as a ball carrier while the rest of his game develops. So from that context the last sentence shouldn't be such a groaner, althought taken by itself I see why it will be.

From the sounds of things, Patterson has been studying so hopefully the "other stuff developing" time will be shorter than average.

[VikingLord]

A big, fast receiver who is equally effective short and has the speed to get deep? Who can take short passes and consistently turn them into big gainers? Sounds like a wet dream at WR.

No groans here except if we're talking about the possibilities that presents...

[mosscarter]

just watch his tennessee highlights and you can see the kid has something unique. it all comes down to whether or not ponder can get the ball to him effectively. i agree with the groans, why use him exactly like percy harvin when he is 6 ft 2 220 and just as fast? i hope they use him down the field.

[Mothman]

just watch his tennessee highlights and you can see the kid has something unique. it all comes down to whether or not ponder can get the ball to him effectively. i agree with the groans, why use him exactly like percy harvin when he is 6 ft 2 220 and just as fast? i hope they use him down the field.

They undoubtedly will but Leslie Frazier already answered your question:

"But where he’s electric is when you get him the ball on a bubble screen or a reverse or a hitch or a slant. He’s pretty special.”

Those Tennessee highlights you mentioned just reinforce that. People need to stop responding to the phrase "bubble screen" like those plays are something to be avoided. There's no reason to groan at the idea of using Patterson on bubble screens, slants, etc. because, as Frazier pointed out, those routes play to his strengths.

It doesn't matter how the yardage is gained on a big play. A short pass that goes for a 40 or 50 yard gain is as good as a pass that travels 40-50 yards in the air.

Ideally, the Vikes will be able to have it all in their arsenal this season.

[Eli]

There _is_ a good reason to fear the Vikings fielding another offense that overuses the bubble screen. It's easily defended when you know it's coming.

Just a minute ago, Darren Sharper covering Vikings' camp on the NFL Network and talking to Paul Allen sounded the most reasonable when discussing Patterson. Allen was gushing over Patterson like a typical Viking fan. Sharper commented that the kid has some obvious talent, but he has a lot of developing to do and will need to get up to speed quickly or he'll be a one-trick pony that teams will have little trouble defending.

[Purple bruise]

There _is_ a good reason to fear the Vikings fielding another offense that overuses the bubble screen. It's easily defended when you know it's coming.

Just a minute ago, Darren Sharper covering Vikings' camp on the NFL Network and talking to Paul Allen sounded the most reasonable when discussing Patterson. Allen was gushing over Patterson like a typical Viking fan. Sharper commented that the kid has some obvious talent, but he has a lot of developing to do and will need to get up to speed quickly or he'll be a one-trick pony that teams will have little trouble defending.

That "one trick pony" with Harvin, was leading the league before his injury was not very well defended at all . Besides CP is expected to play a huge role in the return game also. Are you paraphrasing when you say that Sharper said " One trick pony" or did he use those words? Just curious.

[mansquatch]

There _is_ a good reason to fear the Vikings fielding another offense that overuses the bubble screen. It's easily defended when you know it's coming.

Just a minute ago, Darren Sharper covering Vikings' camp on the NFL Network and talking to Paul Allen sounded the most reasonable when discussing Patterson. Allen was gushing over Patterson like a typical Viking fan. Sharper commented that the kid has some obvious talent, but he has a lot of developing to do and will need to get up to speed quickly or he'll be a one-trick pony that teams will have little trouble defending.

That is true, but that is where the OC needs to adapt. The way to stop a bubble screen is to cheat the coverage closer to the LOS so you can make the tackle. (this is what teams were doing to try and stop PH) This means there is one less guy close to the center of the field. That would seem to to equal one less guy for AP to beat and one less guy for our physical OL to maul. Creative play design/calling could make hay out of this.

[Eli]

That "one trick pony" with Harvin, was leading the league before his injury was not very well defended at all . Besides CP is expected to play a huge role in the return game also. Are you paraphrasing when you say that Sharper said " One trick pony" or did he use those words? Just curious.

Harvin wasn't so much a one-trick pony, although that's how they increasingly used him due to their desire to get the ball into his hands at any cost. When an offense has just two effective weapons, and a QB with confidence issues, that's understandable. But look at Harvin's rookie year - he has the ability to make catches all over the field.

Yes, I'm pretty certain that Sharper used that exact phrase.

[Purple bruise]

Harvin wasn't so much a one-trick pony, although that's how they increasingly used him due to their desire to get the ball into his hands at any cost. When an offense has just two effective weapons, and a QB with confidence issues, that's understandable. But look at Harvin's rookie year - he has the ability to make catches all over the field.

Yes, I'm pretty certain that Sharper used that exact phrase.

Yes and if you look at CP's college film he makes catches all over the place and is a tremendous target on the sidelines or in the redzone.
You seem pretty skeptical (suprized ) but I believe this kid is the real deal and will be a huge asset to the team in more ways that just the trick pony analogy.

[Eli]

Cautiously optimistic.

[dead_poet]

Cautiously optimistic.

Agreed. I haven't said a lot about the kid because my expectations are tempered. We've been burned before.

[Mothman]

There _is_ a good reason to fear the Vikings fielding another offense that overuses the bubble screen. It's easily defended when you know it's coming.

Overusing any play is problematic.

[The Breeze]

The tape on CP shows what his strengths are athletically. It's been said that he would disappear for large portions of the game....basically due to his limited technical prowess. I can't see the Vikes getting burned with him.....especially with the guys they have molding him. But the fact remains that he doesn't have much experience at all in the role he finds himself in. As long as he continues to learn the nuances of the position, I have no problem with them dumping it off to him in space and letting him get up field(as long as it's upfield). I can't remember how many times I watched Jerry Rice turn a 5yd slant or an end around into a long TD. Straight ahead speed, there's nothing to dislike about it.