Vikings Message Board.Com

Let me start by saying I understand that Shariff Floyd, Xaiver Rhodes, and Cordarrelle Patterson are only six games into their careers and it is not time to panic. I just wanted to state some observations and see what you guys felt.

I would be remiss if I did not express some concern over Shariff Floyd's, Xaiver Rhodes', and Cordarelle Patterson's performance (or there lack of performance). For a team that wants to be young, I see a double standard in play here with this team. I don't know what the benefit of bringing along a first round draft pick slowly is. I can understand the other rounds, but a first rounder, who isn't a QB? You don't draft first rounders to bench them and rotate them. You don't draft first rounders to only act as a KR.

Outside of playing time, execution by them has been sloppy (albeit it could be expected). Xavier Rhodes didn't have the best game but the fact that he still isn't the starter is asinine. Xavier, as long as he is healthy, definitely has the potential to be a very good player. However, not starting him is a mistake.

As far as Shariff Floyd? I don't what to say. When he does play, it is hard to see much of an impact from him. It doesn't seem that he has the explosion he had at Florida. Then again, who on the d-line has been explosive this year? Floyd had a sack this past game, but he also had a costly penalty on the sack. I think it is time to play Shariff over Gunion. The fact that Gunion even sees the field makes me want to throw up.

When it comes to Cordarrelle Patterson it simple: throw him the DAMN ball. I want to throw up every time I see double tight or Jarius Wright on the field over Cordarrelle. I don't buy that BS that Cordarrelle can't run a route tree. Cordarrelle hasn't even had a chance to SHOW he can run a full route tree. Oh, but I am sure Patterson is benched because Jarius Wright and John Carlson are just superior practice players. Cordarrelle Patterson is too physical and too explosive to bench. Play him.

As I stated earlier, it is not time to go into full blown panic over our rookies. However, one has to be bit a concerned. It is essential to play these guys more often. Let's face it, this season is in the tank. There is no point giving veterans the playing time over the rookies.

HardcoreVikesFan wrote:Let me start by saying I understand that Shariff Floyd, Xaiver Rhodes, and Cordarrelle Patterson are only six games into their careers and it is not time to panic. I just wanted to state some observations and see what you guys felt.

I would be remiss if I did not express some concern over Shariff Floyd's, Xaiver Rhodes', and Cordarelle Patterson's performance (or there lack of performance). For a team that wants to be young, I see a double standard in play here with this team. I don't know what the benefit of bringing along a first round draft pick slowly is. I can understand the other rounds, but a first rounder, who isn't a QB? You don't draft first rounders to bench them and rotate them. You don't draft first rounders to only act as a KR.

Outside of playing time, execution by them has been sloppy (albeit it could be expected). Xavier Rhodes didn't have the best game but the fact that he still isn't the starter is asinine. Xavier, as long as he is healthy, definitely has the potential to be a very good player. However, not starting him is a mistake.

As far as Shariff Floyd? I don't what to say. When he does play, it is hard to see much of an impact from him. It doesn't seem that he has the explosion he had at Florida. Then again, who on the d-line has been explosive this year? Floyd had a sack this past game, but he also had a costly penalty on the sack. I think it is time to play Shariff over Gunion. The fact that Gunion even sees the field makes me want to throw up.

When it comes to Cordarrelle Patterson it simple: throw him the DAMN ball. I want to throw up every time I see double tight or Jarius Wright on the field over Cordarrelle. I don't buy that BS that Cordarrelle can't run a route tree. Cordarrelle hasn't even had a chance to SHOW he can run a full route tree. Oh, but I am sure Patterson is benched because Jarius Wright and John Carlson are just superior practice players. Cordarrelle Patterson is too physical and too explosive to bench. Play him.

As I stated earlier, it is not time to go into full blown panic over our rookies. However, one has to be bit a concerned. It is essential to play these guys more often. Let's face it, this season is in the tank. There is no point giving veterans the playing time over the rookies.

I agree with the playing time they are the 5th lowest played 1st rounders in the NFL according to espn 1500, I dont agree that Shariff floyd hasnt been effective hes putting good pressure on the QB in his limited playing time. DT's arent sack getters they dont get 15 sacks a year also Floyd is the same position as K Will.

Its hard to get CP the ball when Jerome has been showing life and we have Greg Jennings, and Kyle Rudolph. Youre saying hes never shown a coach in practice that he can run a route tree? Games are the only form of evaluation? He has over 4 times a week to show his route running abilities. How often do we run 3 WR sets and John Carlson isnt even a wideout its like saying Mistral Raymon is a great practice player he can play CB today.

Way too early to be concerned.

CP doesn't get the ball enough, they've handcuffed X to one side of the field and Shariff has slowly made some impact, but is still learning as well.

I'm not worried about any of our first round picks talent wise. I think once we get some new coaches in the off season the playing time issue will resolve itself.

mondry wrote:I'm not worried about any of our first round picks talent wise. I think once we get some new coaches in the off season the playing time issue will resolve itself.

This is how things look to me also.

I think it's a bit too early to form an opinion on any of them yet. The only 1 I'd for sure like to see on the field more is Xavier Rhoades & the reasons are because the other corners are atrocious to say the least. Floyd would likely have to start over KWill which shouldn't happen & Jennings/Simpson have both earned their spots in the passing game. I liked Wright as a slot guy last year, but wouldn't be disappointed if Patterson took the majority of his snaps.

CP has looked better than advertised IMO. He has all the return game skills plus they went from saying he has a lot to learn to saying "we need to get him the ball more." Hard not to like that.

Floyd and Rhodes haven't had siginificant playing time IMO. They've both shown flashes of their talent though.

Not concerned at all with these guys, more worried about the decision makers ahead of them.

They have not even had a chance to start yet for the most part..

How can we judge them honestly until they have two years of playing time as

starters

I think Patterson will mature into a good receiver. May take two or three years.

Rhodes and Floyd I'm not so confident about. Rhodes seems like a poor fit for the Vikings' Cover 2 defense and Floyd looks pretty average.

FWIW, PFF's flawed metrics rate Rhodes even, Patterson in the green and Floyd in the red (emphasis on poor rush defense).

23. Shariff Floyd, DT, Minnesota Vikings
Grade: -2.4
Snaps: 136
Analysis: Quiet so far. Has generated a decent amount of pressure (seven quarterback disruptions) relative to how much he’s been on the field, but his -3.5 grade against the run is a good reason as to why he’s not starting right now.

25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Grade: +0.0
Snaps: 249
Analysis: Coming off his worst game of the year versus the Panthers where he also missed his first tackle. Also flagged for a declined penalty but let’s not dwell on that because he’s largely done a decent job.

29. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Grade: +2.3
Snaps: 63
Analysis: Has so far managed just 14 snaps more than Joe Webb. That gives you an indication of how reluctant the team is to use him. Of course the play they’ve got from the quarterback spot doesn’t help, but you may as well file Patterson down as one for special teams now, and offense in the future.

I think its more of the coaching staff having no idea on how or when to use them.

This was regarded as a pretty weak draft class. Not too many first rounders blowing anyone's hair back, which is why the Vikings weren't lauded as geniuses for drafting 3 in the first.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:I think its more of the coaching staff having no idea on how or when to use them.

Nah.

Rhodes should be starting ahead of Robinson, that's pretty clear. But the Vikings run so many nickel and dime formations that he's still getting plenty of snaps.

Patterson is playing behind Simpson, who's having the best year of his career. Jennings is still the best WR on the team and needs to be utilized more, not less. Patterson is a little like Harvin, except with a lot less talent. Right now, they need to use him in gadget plays and running very basic routes if they want to see him play. The offense is already poor enough without trying to stuff an undeveloped WR into the mix at the expense of plays that target better receivers.

Floyd is being groomed as KWill's replacement. He was clearly NOT the type of DT that the Vikings needed most, but they snagged him in the draft for the future. To compliment KWill, a nose tackle was a much more needed player and Floyd's playing time reflects that.

I thought we would be seeing more of Patterson by this time. Floyd is not doing bad at all. He's clogging the middle like he is supposed to do. Not too Many John Randles around who also get a good amount of sacks at tackle. Rhodes should be starting at corner. Good grief we probably have a corner on the practice squad better than Robinson. He is just aweful, got to be a unemployed corner better than Robinson

Not concerned about them at all, Rhodes has shown some flashes and some mistakes, to be expexted by a rookie.

I have seen Floyd getting pressure quite a bit, and keep in mind he does not start so you wont see it often.

Patterson should be on the field much more, that is his only issue.

Nope I think all 3 are going to be good and 1 or 2 if not all 3 maybe great. I can't see a total flop in the bunch.

All should start next year, than we will see it a little better.