Cordarrelle Patterson’s Future And What Comes Next

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Jan 6, 2016

Cordarrelle Patterson’s future with the Minnesota Vikings has been a hot topic for three seasons now, sometimes for the good he has and done on and off the field, and often due to his lack of production on the field.

The thing that keeps cropping up within the fan base, however, is Patterson’s seemingly aloof attitude and perceived lack of dedication to being a professional football player. This narrative came to a head on Sunday when Patterson allowed Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby to catch him from behind and save a potential touchdown by popping the ball loose from Patterson’s grip.

The turnover allowed Green Bay an unnecessary chance at a comeback, while Patterson’s sideline demeanor drew scorn from Vikings fans from all around. Patterson appeared to be laughing and joking with teammates on the sideline shortly after the huge mistake and that seemingly jovial attitude came to a peak when Xavier Rhodes intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass in the endzone to keep the Packers at bay.

These images, Patterson smiling after a kicker bested him in a major way, brought all of the built up frustration with the former first rounder to a head.

Patterson didn’t defend himself after the game and told USA Today’s Tom Pelissero that what was being televised was simply the symptoms of a desirable trait for NFL players to possess: Amnesia.

I saw in the comments section of a previous post that a Vikings Territory reader specifically asked for me to talk about the Patterson situation. And I am happy to oblige.

First thing needs to be first: Since Patterson’s impressive rookie season, his role has declined greatly within the offense and is almost non-existent at this point. He had two receptions and two rushing attempts throughout the entire 2015 NFL regular season. Patterson’s career stats proving the idea that his importance within the offense are available here.

Patterson is now relegated to being a return specialist only, at least under the current coaching regime, but he is a pretty good return specialist to have.

Patterson finished the regular season with 32 attempted kick returns with an average of 31.8 yards per return. That average, and his two kick return touchdowns, are the best in the NFL among return men that attempted at least 16 returns. It also isn’t uncommon for opponents to avoid Patterson outright and try to kick the ball deep, short, sideways, or in any other way that might prevent him from getting a chance at a return.

To summarize: Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer was accurate when he said in June that Patterson is the NFL’s best kick returner and that he would be “crazy” to put someone else in at that spot.

It is also worth noting that Patterson has been incredibly durable for a guy whose primary job is among the NFL’s most dangerous. He has played in all 16 games in each season of his career. This is another trait, like amnesia, that is desirable in an NFL player.

So, back to that amnesia. Why were Vikings fans collectively upset with Patterson’s jester-like actions on the sideline on Sunday night?

The story is well known. Patterson was drafted as an athletic and “raw” prospect whose upside was realized almost immediately upon Leslie Frazier letting him see the field of play.Patterson was a star in his first year, enjoyed a whole offseason as a fan favorite, developed the “Flash” persona that seemed plenty endearing at the time.

This continued into Week One of 2014, where he put on a show against the Rams, but it was following that game where things started to go awry for Patterson (and Adrian Peterson, coincidentally).

Patterson’s route running and on-field discipline was the first thing to come under fire. Norv Turner’s inability to manufacture meaningful touches for Patterson was another red flag. Getting out-shined by Charles Johnson and Jarius Wright were pretty much the end of Patterson’s 2014 season within Turner’s offense.

But then, after the season, it became known that Mike Zimmer had a plan (a PLAN!) for his young, raw, talented receiver to help him get on track. That plan involved setting up Patterson with an offseason mentor that could teach how to better be a professional NFL player.

Then, however, Patterson reportedly declined the offseason help and said Zimmer didn’t mind. We’ve heard rumors here at VT that the mentor was either Troy Brown or, more recently, Michael Irvin.

Zimmer might not have minded that Patterson didn’t take advantage of the offer, but we’ve already talked about how Patterson’s role on offense has all but disappeared. The evidence seems clear, to be honest, that somebody that oversees playing time didn’t appreciate Patterson’s efforts to become a better wide receiver.

According to Spotrac, Patterson is slated to make to cost the Vikings just under $2.3 million of cap space next year. He would cost the team just under $1 million in dead cap space if they decided to part ways with him.

So, back to the original question about Patterson that a reader posed to me, what should be expected for Patterson and his future with the team?

I think that $2.3 million for the league’s best kick returner is not a bad investment at all. This is particularly true when the return man is both young and durable, as is the case with Patterson. I think paying him that money is easily enough justified for his special teams skills and his versatility as a backup option at other positions within the offense.

I think Patterson’s actions on the field, such as high-stepping against Seattle in Week 13, are clear signs that he’s every bit as immature as some of his pre-draft coverage suggested he was. I do not think anything we’ve seen to date is a clear indication that he’s incapable of maturing and bettering himself, however.

You can call me a homer, or you can call me a sympathizer, if you like. Maybe I am. But I have no reason to doubt Patterson’s explanation for his sideline smile on Sunday. If Patterson really was able to give himself amnesia, to accept the encouragement from his teammates and move on after a big mistake, then maybe we actually witnessed a moment of maturation out of Patterson on Sunday that was disguised as something completely different.

Maybe. Or maybe not. I don’t know.

What I do know is that $2.3 million is a reasonable annual salary for the NFL’s most productive kick returner, especially when there’s still that outside chance that he can learn some lessons and develop as an offensive playmaker. Not only is it a reasonable price to pay, but there is no long-term commitment immediately required in the case of Cordarrelle Patterson.

As Mike Priefer will probably repeat this summer: The Vikings would be crazy to put anyone else out there in his spot.

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