Bears @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 13

[saint33]

And? Would that be crazy? Williamson went 7th overall. Had 3 years of NCAA ball. I'm sure people in '05 asked the same when someone compared Williamson to some previous guy. Have you seen something out of Patterson other than returns and a run that makes you think he's the future at the WR position? He still looks likes a HB playing WR. Is he going to get better? Who knows. Sure he could be a pro bowler, he could also be a 3 year out of the league bum. Comparing? Patterson can barely run routes, can barely get open, and can barely catch the ball. So yeah, I'm comparing the two....

Wow, I think you need to lay off the over-exaggerations.

Patterson is clearly getting better as the season has gone on, and as he's been more involved with the offense, the bigger impact he's been having in the passing game. I think it's a huge exaggeration to say he can "barely run routes" or "barely get open" or "barely catch the ball". He's had a few drops, sure, but he's getting open for as many targets as anyone not named Simpson recently.

Anyways, I think if you can't see the clear difference between Patterson and Williamson, I don't know what to tell you. Williamson was fast, that's it. Patterson is fast, but he's also allusive, has great instincts and is also fairly strong. And he's versatile and whether you agree or not, his hands aren't that big of an issue. He does have a tendency to catch with his body or think run before he's secured the pass, and that leads to easily caught balls hitting the ground. But he does have natural hands when he uses them and doesn't let the ball get to his body and has the ability to make the "freak catch". His hands remind me of Terrell Owens, who had a similar issue with drops his entire career.

His route running still needs to be refined, no doubt about that. But he's clearly make strides in that department, as we're seeing him involved and open in more than just bubble screens and go routes lately.

Troy Williamson was never a WR. Hell, he wasn't even a football player. He was a sprinter. Patterson is a raw WR, but extremely talented football player. The comparison is a joke.

[Demi]

Troy Williamson was never a WR. Hell, he wasn't even a football player. He was a sprinter. Patterson is a raw WR, but extremely talented football player. The comparison is a joke.

3 years of NCAA ball, drafted 7th overall, 3 years in the NFL, and he wasn't even a football player. And you tell me to lay off the over-exaggerations.

Anyways, I think if you can't see the clear difference between Patterson and Williamson, I don't know what to tell you. Williamson was fast, that's it. Patterson is fast, but he's also allusive, has great instincts and is also fairly strong.

They were both raw, under developed prospects. They both struggled at times early in their rookie seasons. I guess with hindsight being what it is...

Yeah they have different skill sets, but people argued Williamson just needed time and voila, he'd be a dangerous deep threat. Patterson looks like a scat back out there. Can he improve? Of course. He could also end up being another return specialist with some screen/end around skills...

The comparison was simply two raw players with physical skills but a lack of some pretty damn important skills needed to be successful at the receiver position...

[saint33]

Patterson, apparently lacking those skills, put up over a hundred yards and a TD today in horrible conditions.

Again, if you think Patterson will be just another Troy Williamson, or even if you think it's possible he'll be like Troy Williamson, I don't know what to tell you. The talent level between the two of them at the same point in their career isn't even remotely comparable

[mosscarter]

patterson is already a beast and he's only a rookie. his hands and route running will get better i'm not sure which kid you guys are watching. not many receivers can take a 3 yard out and run it for 79 yards. his vision is amazing he's always looking down the field and he does it on kicks as well and that is something you can't teach. as far as the fact he can't get open? get serious. ponder has been starting the majority of the season and he can't get anyone the ball he's one of the worst qb's i've ever seen. patterson will have many 100 plus receiving yardage games if there is a legit qb throwing him the ball.

[PurpleKoolaid]

3 years of NCAA ball, drafted 7th overall, 3 years in the NFL, and he wasn't even a football player. And you tell me to lay off the over-exaggerations.
They were both raw, under developed prospects. They both struggled at times early in their rookie seasons. I guess with hindsight being what it is...

Yeah they have different skill sets, but people argued Williamson just needed time and voila, he'd be a dangerous deep threat. Patterson looks like a scat back out there. Can he improve? Of course. He could also end up being another return specialist with some screen/end around skills...

The comparison was simply two raw players with physical skills but a lack of some pretty damn important skills needed to be successful at the receiver position...

Do you watch the games? It is impossible to come to your conclusion if you do. Or are you trolling cause you think we spent too much for the pick? One of the reasons he hasn't had a lot of receptions, up until now, is, we have an idiotic coaching staff. And from that you compare him to Twill? Really?

[mosscarter]

comparing patterson to williamson may be the dumbest thing i've ever read on these threads. patterson already has 5 all purpose td's and he's been playing with a total bum as a qb all year. its like you guys like making stuff up just to get other people angry. patterson was and will be worth every pick we traded him for and he will be our number one receiver once we get a qb.

[Demi]

Again, if you think Patterson will be just another Troy Williamson, or even if you think it's possible he'll be like Troy Williamson, I don't know what to tell you. The talent level between the two of them at the same point in their career isn't even remotely comparable

All this after one small comment about what "attitude" can get you.
No, I don't think he'll be another Williamson. But half a season into his rookie year...he looks good at times, usually on end arounds and screens. Are teams going to be able to get a key on him? Is he going to be able to improve enough as a receiver to keep teams honest? Of course he COULD get better, Williamson could have too after half a rookie season.

That's the only comparison, they're completely different players with completely different skill sets, but they were both raw players with questions about if they could translate and have success in the NFL...

[saint33]

All this after one small comment about what "attitude" can get you.
No, I don't think he'll be another Williamson. But half a season into his rookie year...he looks good at times, usually on end arounds and screens. Are teams going to be able to get a key on him? Is he going to be able to improve enough as a receiver to keep teams honest? Of course he COULD get better, Williamson could have too after half a rookie season.

That's the only comparison, they're completely different players with completely different skill sets, but they were both raw players with questions about if they could translate and have success in the NFL...

Yes all this after the attitude comment. All I said was that are you seriously comparing the two? And you said you were.

I guess I'll just sum this up like this.

When people said "Williamson is young and talented, he'll get better", they were saying that in response to "holy F$%# Williamson looks horrible out there".

When people say "Patterson is young and talented, he'll get better" it's usually after they say "wow Patterson is awesome, can you believe...."

Get what I'm saying? Williamson's talent was rarely showed up over a season, and when it did it was usually accompanied by a horrible drop. Patterson's talent has shown up regularly. He's not a player who you have to wonder if it will translate to NFL success, it is showing up right in front of you.

[Demi]

Get what I'm saying? Williamson's talent was rarely showed up over a season, and when it did it was usually accompanied by a horrible drop. Patterson's talent has shown up regularly. He's not a player who you have to wonder if it will translate to NFL success, it is showing up right in front of you.

"Over a season"? "Regularly"?

Yeah ok, translated. Done is done. Close the book. Nothing to see here.