Patterson to be more involved vs. Bears

[Mothman]

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_24 ... nvolved-vs

"Cordarrelle will get more snaps during the course of (this) game," receivers coach George Stewart said of Sunday's matchup at Chicago. "He's our future. He's going to have more opportunities to make plays as we go forward."

Minnesota had only 19 offensive snaps the entire first half thanks to Peterson's 78-yard touchdown run on its first play from scrimmage and several sustained drives by the Lions. And Simpson proved invaluable to quarterback Christian Ponder, as the pair connected seven times for 140 yards, Simpson's most productive game in almost two years.

[losperros]

Good news. Spreading the ball around and adding variety will probably become more and more important for the Vikings. Everyone knows opposing defenses will be gunning for AD.

Just as important is the OL blocking for both the run and pass, which they failed to do with any consistency last week.

Last but not least, there is Ponder. He has to make smart decisions and accurate throws so that teams pay for stuffing the box to stop Peterson.

[PacificNorseWest]

This is good news, but it's like..."duh!" Should've had this mindset week 1.

I agree though los. And all it takes is CP to take one slant or quick hitch to the house and then all of a sudden the defense is having to account for another explosive offensive threat. Can only make Ponder better.

[John_Viveiros]

This is good news, but it's like..."duh!" Should've had this mindset week 1.

I agree though los. And all it takes is CP to take one slant or quick hitch to the house and then all of a sudden the defense is having to account for another explosive offensive threat. Can only make Ponder better.

I let this go by the first time... But, of course, Patterson probably won't make Ponder better. He might make him seem better. He may inflate his stats by taking short passes and turning them into long gains. But I doubt CP will make CP a better QB. Same as if Patterson drops a bunch of balls. Ponder's stats would take a hit, but he wouldn't actually be a worse QB.

[PacificNorseWest]

I let this go by the first time... But, of course, Patterson probably won't make Ponder better. He might make him seem better. He may inflate his stats by taking short passes and turning them into long gains. But I doubt CP will make CP a better QB. Same as if Patterson drops a bunch of balls. Ponder's stats would take a hit, but he wouldn't actually be a worse QB.

You're talking about stats. I'm not. A playmaker on the outside will open things up for Rudolph and AP. By virtue, Ponder isn't smothered in the box.

Edit: I should have said it will make it easier on Ponder. Not make him better.

[Eli]

We'll see how involved, and how long it lasts. If the Vikings get behind, don't expect to see much of Cordarrelle Patterson.

When you're down by 14 points, do you put your 4th best receiver out there to catch bubble screens and quick slants and cross your fingers hoping he breaks one? Not many teams work like that, because it's not how you typically come back from a deficit. You throw down field. Is Patterson a better down field threat than Jennings or Simpson or Wright? Highly doubtful.

[J. Kapp 11]

We'll see how involved, and how long it lasts. If the Vikings get behind, don't expect to see much of Cordarrelle Patterson.

When you're down by 14 points, do you put your 4th best receiver out there to catch bubble screens and quick slants and cross your fingers hoping he breaks one? Not many teams work like that, because it's not how you typically come back from a deficit. You throw down field. Is Patterson a better down field threat than Jennings or Simpson or Wright? Highly doubtful.

The Rams put Tavon Austin out there a TON when they got down by 10 to the Cardinals at home last week. Mostly short stuff ... and he made some things happen with his quickness.

You can't just throw bombs when you get behind.

[Eli]

You can't just throw bombs when you get behind.

For the 2011-2013 Vikings "down field" is any pass over 7 yards.

[mondry]

When you're down by 14 points, do you put your 4th best receiver out there to catch bubble screens and quick slants and cross your fingers hoping he breaks one?

Yeah, all of those plays are reserved for handing off to Peterson and hoping he breaks one for 80 yards.

[Mothman]

The Rams put Tavon Austin out there a TON when they got down by 10 to the Cardinals at home last week. Mostly short stuff ... and he made some things happen with his quickness.

You can't just throw bombs when you get behind.

In fact, if it's later in the game and the team is down by two TDs, that's usually just going to lead to incompletions and turnovers because the defense will be playing back to prevent the big play and pinning their ears back up front. That's when you need to be able to throw underneath coverage and make big some big plays with blocking and open field running ability.

[Eli]

Like I said... We'll see if Frazier and company take the same view as a bunch of Vikings fans on how to use the kid.

[S197]

I want to see that stacked receiver set with Webb and Patterson they used in the redzone. They were only used as a decoy against the Lions but that play has potential with two athletic guys lined up like that.

[allday1991]

By involved I am going to assume 3 screen passes and the majority of the time he'll on the bench.

Unfortunately I think your right.

[Laserman]

For the 2011-2013 Vikings "down field" is any pass over 7 yards.

HA HA That NAILED it !

[Eli]

We'll see how involved, and how long it lasts.

Patterson was in for six offensive plays against the Bears. Six.

That's up 20% from the Lions game.