Mothman wrote:
I read it as "bubble screen".
Just kidding...
Seriously, I'm quite happy to read Zimmer saying the coaching staff needs to change their approach with Patterson a little too. I was disappointed with the way they handled him last year. My perceptions of the situation might be off the mark but it seemed like Norv tried to shoehorn Patterson into his system rather than making more of an effort to take advantage of the unique talent at his disposal. There has to be a better middle ground than what they achieved last year.
Hopefully, Patterson's offseason efforts will better prepare him to handle his role in the offensive system and the coaches will be a little more imaginative when calling plays for Patterson.
I actually wasn't disappointed with the way Turner handled Patterson last year. I would have liked to see him on the field more because he can be so exciting, but that's me personally. From a 'what's best for the team' standpoint, it may have been for the best. The offense works best when people are in the right position in this scheme. Though in most schemes this is the case, Turner's seems to be even more sensitive to it.
I also think it helps Patterson's development as a receiver rather than having him be strictly as YAC guy who relies on his athleticism. Instead, if he wants to be a major player on offense he has to learn the scheme properly and be a more polished receiver. It sounds like that, to some degree, is helping Patterson focus on getting better. Knowing how raw Patterson was, I'm ok with him needing more time to mature as a receiver and I'm glad both sides are trying to make that happen.
I think the 'manufacturing touches' option won't happen until 2016 if it happens at all. If Patterson can't learn the offense he won't be on the field very much, at least in the short term. His potential with the ball in his hands doesn't outweigh the possibility of a turnover if he's out of place and Turner doesn't strike me as the kind of coach that is going to run too many reverses/bubble screens in one game ... and that's not realistic anyway long term. It's not all that difficult to cover a receiver if you're pretty sure he's not leaving the line of scrimmage.
I agree that *if* Patterson can't learn the system then they have to start striving for middle ground but I feel like that's a last resort. If they have to change things around just for Patterson I will almost take it as a sign that they've given up on him being able to fill the role properly. Now, that's not to say he can't still be a good player with value but I would envision him maxing out at a Percy Harvin level of production which isn't what you hope for in a 1st rounder but isn't nothing. Instead, if he can truly learn his craft he could be a superstar in this league.