Patterson

Lake Shore Drive said:

I was happy from day one when we signed him. Whether we win or lose it seems he always come up with at least one big play each game, either on STs or from scrimmage. That 33 yard reception, which I believe was our longest play of the night, was mostly YAC, a thing of beauty. And he laid the critical block and cleared the path on that reception to Anthony Miller, which led to his TD.

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Ya, he is just a football player. I think we tried waaay too hard to force it early on, but I can see why a coach would want this kid on the field. His heart is huge.

He is so damn useful. Special team gunner, returner on kick offs, then that crazy important wr screen for a first down and then some last night. The TE's we have now. Holtz and Horsted are excellent to this point. I'm good letting this ride. Edit: in fact cut Shaheen and Burton.

NCChiFan said:

He is so damn useful. Special team gunner, returner on kick offs, then that crazy important wr screen for a first down and then some last night. The TE's we have now. Holtz and Horsted are excellent to this point. I'm good letting this ride. Edit: in fact cut Shaheen and Burton.

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I prefer power back on short yardage situations, personally.

I can't believe how fast he is for his size.

noonthirtyjoe said:

I can't believe how fast he is for his size.

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Size + speed was what got Patterson chosen in the first round by Minny, altho there were skeptics who didn't feel he was the complete package, and to a large degree they were correct. His route running has always left something to be desired and despite his size and speed, was never considered much of a downfield threat.

But to me, those negatives didn't really matter. I figured from moment one when we signed him that besides the KO duties, from scrimmage he was going to be utilized more in short-intermediate plays. That's primarily how he has been used to date and where he's found the most success. I see him becoming more integrated into the O for the rest of this year and that should be carried over into next year.

Lake Shore Drive said:

I see him becoming more integrated into the O for the rest of this year and that should be carried over into next year.

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With Wims out he and Ridley should see more playing time. I'm more excited about Ridley because of him being a rookie and unknown. Patterson can block I wish he would get some reps at U TE. He could be scary for opposing D cords.

Not sure that he has the size and strength for a TE, altho I can see him playing in some form of H-Back role. What I'd like to see more of are short crossing patterns and quick slants where he can use that size to block out the smaller defending backs.

Lake Shore Drive said:

Not sure that he has the size and strength for a TE, altho I can see him playing in some form of H-Back role. What I'd like to see more of are short crossing patterns and quick slants where he can use that size to block out the smaller defending backs.

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The U te is not a traditional TE. It's more a WR lined up at TE.

noonthirtyjoe said:

The U te is not a traditional TE. It's more a WR lined up at TE.

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Most of the best TEs in the league are for the most part U TEs. They are primarily pass receivers rather than blockers. I don't mind seeing Patterson lined up like that on occasion, but he would at times be required to block those big DLs or hard charging LBs, and that's what worries me. I prefer keeping him on the wings or the backfield.