Bill Belichick mindful of Cordarrelle Patterson on deep throws
With Adrian Peterson deactivated today, the Minnesota Vikings best playmaker will be Cordarrelle Patterson, though it’s arguable that he’s the better pure playmaker than AD anyway. Patterson is electric with the ball in his hands, and he’s the reason why nobody on the Vikings misses Percy Harvin at this stage, especially since Patterson is cheaper and less prone to injury. He had a huge week with three rushes for 102 yards and a TD and three catches for 26 yards against an overwhelmed St. Louis Rams defense, and ace offensive coordinator Norv Turner will continue to make Patterson an integral part of his gameplan by using him in creative ways.
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Patterson is a rare talent who can beat defenses on the ground, with YAC on short passes due to his explosiveness and agility, and on clearing routes due to his frame (6’2″, 220 pounds) and excellent long speed. The New England Patriots certainly know the many ways Patterson can break the game open, including as an elite returner.
Bill Belichick said of Patterson, who falsely thinks the Patriots head coach didn’t want him on draft day when he traded down so that the Vikings could net Patterson with the 29th overall pick (he just wanted the picks), “Patterson is obviously an explosive guy. You see that in the return game. He’s a deep threat. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands, whether you hand it to him or throw it to him on a short pass. He’s a dangerous catch-and-run guy, he’s also a vertical guy.”
The Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels has more quotes on Patterson from Patriots star free safety Devin McCourty, who will be tasked with keeping the former Tennessee Volunteers star from making big plays vertically, which is a big worry for the Patriots (Belichick mentioned that quality twice).