Vikings Message Board.Com

JEC334 wrote:Patterson is a legitimate vertical threat who can get separation from a defender. I hope the Vikings dont limit his ability to just that.

Harvin had no choice because he's not really built to be an outside WR.

dead_poet wrote: I think a lot will be determined on how he can grasp the playbook and how well he can run the necessary routes. I think they've already said that this first year they may need to manufacture his touches. Hopefully he's a quick study.
I've disagreed with this ever since he was drafted. I simply don't know why he's not built for the role. He has adequate height (a little on the low side at 5'11, but two inches taller than Steve Smith, who has been a legit outside threat for his entire career), decent hands/jumping/athletic ability. His strength is probably the slot, but I really think that had we had an established, Wes Welker-type at the time that he could've played the outside and been effective in that role.

JEC334 wrote:He can't get as open on the outside than he does in the slot.

He's most effective on the outside when it comes to screens and short passes but when it comes to a 50+ yard pass, I don't think Harvin is that guy.

Patterson is Option A. Primary focus for rookie year. RT @nick_allen33: @TomPelissero do you think that Webb will return kicks or punts?

dead_poet wrote: I think that could be said for a lot (the majority?) of receivers. There's more space to maneuver. And just because he's more effective in the slot, in my mind, doesn't mean he'd be a liability on the outside.
My problem is that there is little evidence to support this. Inconclusive. I have a hard time believing as explosive as he is in the slot he'd be much less of a threat on the outside. I really wish they would've started him on the outside and moved him inside on three-wide sets more often. Nothing about his game, to me, says that he couldn't be an effective outside receiver.

JEC334 wrote:Well you should watch some previous game tape. From what I have seen, he is most effective in the middle.

I have seldom seen Harvin able to streak on the outside for a catch.

I seldom seen him catch the ball in traffic.

I still think he was still more effective as a kick returner than a WR.

Patterson is just as effective as Harvin in the return game

and is able to go for the deep ball unlike Percy.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:Hah its nice to agree with Dead_poet ) Im usually disagreeable but this season I am optimistic. I just hope Ponder doesn't let me down now he has all these tools.

Cordarrelle Patterson

What’s so special?: The Vikings feel Patterson can quickly become a barrel of dynamite on kickoff returns, which was a significant factor in their decision to trade back into the first round of the draft to nab him. And it’s no surprise that both General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Leslie Frazier have emphasized that Patterson’s biggest 2013 contributions will likely come as a return man.

So what stands out about the 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver? Said Priefer: “Size. Strength. Speed. The ability to change direction. For a man that big to be able to change direction like he does is pretty special and unique.”

Priefer saw only two elite return men in this year’s draft: Patterson and Tavon Austin, who’s now with St. Louis. Now it’s the coordinator’s job to groom Patterson as the Vikings’ big weapon.

“Kickoff return-wise, he has all the abilities and tools right now to be a factor,” Priefer said. “A major factor.”

You should know: While Patterson is probably the front-runner to be the opening day kick returner, the Vikings are taking a wait-and-see approach on punts. At rookie mini-camp in May, Patterson showed enough deficiencies to give the coaches pause. Most notably, Priefer has identified fundamental flaws in how Patterson uses his hands and positions his elbows as he fields punts.

Those areas will take on even greater focus in training camp, when (presumably) the team will have greater opportunity to be outdoors than it had during OTAs.
“We just have to break the bad habits,” Priefer said. “Like anything else in football, you start by breaking the bad habits and then building up new good habits to supply a good foundation.”

Extra point: In nine games last season, Percy Harvin averaged 35.9 yards per kickoff return and opened a Week 4 win in Detroit with a 105-yard score. Priefer sees similarities in Harvin’s ability to change direction at top speed and Patterson’s. But he doesn’t want the comparisons getting too big.

“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to replace a guy like Percy to be quite honest with you,” Priefer said. “And so I think it would be unfair for me or anybody else in our organization to come out and say, ‘OK Cordarrelle, you’re going to replace Percy Harvin.’ That’s not fair to him. But I am excited about his ability and the direction we’re going.”