Panthers @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 13

[Purple bruise]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it specifically. I'm just saying I would much rather have the ball in Pattersons hands in those instances. There wasn't a player on the field today or even most days for that matter that can do what Patterson does with the ball in his hands

I am not sure what is up with CP. You can see it in his returns especially. No burst (flash) like last year. He has sustained some injuries and he may either physically or mentally not be the same player. Maybe a flash in the pan (pun intended). I sure hope not 'cause I really like this kid. Believe you me these coaches have tons of more insight than us fans. They see him on film, at practice and in the training room nursing his injuries. There is no conspiracy here but for what ever the reasons why he is not playing/getting the opprotunities there are valid reasons IMO.

[saint33]

I am not sure what is up with CP. You can see it in his returns especially. No burst (flash) like last year. He has sustained some injuries and he may either physically or mentally not be the same player. Maybe a flash in the pan (pun intended). I sure hope not 'cause I really like this kid. Believe you me these coaches have tons of more insight than us fans. They see him on film, at practice and in the training room nursing his injuries. There is no conspiracy here but for what ever the reasons why he is not playing/getting the opprotunities there are valid reasons IMO.

It's hard for me to believe it's simply a flash in the pan. Patterson made the same types of plays and had the same explosiveness/elusiveness/vision at Tennessee. And before that at his JUCO college, which is why he got the offer from Tennessee.

At every level he's played at, including the NFL, he's proven that he can make incredible plays when the ball is in his hands. It's not like he's been shut down this year in those types of plays, he was given a few in the St. Louis opener and took one to the house. And since then we haven't given him more than maybe two gadget type plays per game (most games 0 though).

As for kickoffs, I think some of it has to do with our special teams struggling at blocking this season. IMO losing special teams studs like Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond and Larry Dean has had more of an impact than most would know. Patterson doesn't appear to be running full speed a lot of the time because it appears he's waiting for a hole to develop so he can explode through. Now I'm not saying that's the case on every return this season, but it something I notice quite often, we haven't seemed to be able to get him past the first set of defenders this year, which is generally a blocking issue.

[808vikingsfan]

FYI.

The #Lions Week 15 game vs. Minnesota has been flexed to a 4:25 start. Was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. kickoff at Ford Field

[Mothman]

Bingo!! I wish there was a way we could explain this to Turner because he obviously doesn't understand that. When Turner was hired supposedly the first thing he did was put in 10 plays for CP specifically.....where are those 10 plays??? Why aren't they used??? Is there something we may not know?? I have no clue but it drives me nuts to watch. Zimmer is great using guys to their strength so you think it would rub off on Turner but obviously not. Come on Norval!!!

It's Zimmer's job to make sure it "rubs off" on turner so if Patterson's role has been reduced so dramatically and he;s healthy, that's on Zimmer as much as it's on Norv.

Personally, I don't think Patterson's been healthy for quite some time.

[Mothman]

FYI.

Maybe FOX will actually broadcast it here!

[PurpleMustReign]

It's Zimmer's job to make sure it "rubs off" on turner so if Patterson's role has been reduced so dramatically and he;s healthy, that's on Zimmer as much as it's on Norv.

Personally, I don't think Patterson's been healthy for quite some time.

Unless Patterson is really struggling in practice too... Who knows? Hopefully Zimmer will address it.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Cliff]

Re: Patterson -

I have two thoughts. First, I agree with Jim and don't think he's 100%. I expect to hear about off season surgery.

Second, it's also possible that Turner isn't letting him take the 'easy' way by running gadget type plays and instead is insisting he learn the craft properly. Considering the kind of season it's shaping up to be for the Vikings anyway, that might not be a bad idea. Maybe it's a situation where they're saying 'Look, if you want the ball, you're going to have to get open ... '

Not letting him rest on his athletic ability alone may turn out to be a wise move ... or it may turn out that he's only effective that way. Everyone knew he was rough coming out of college and if they want him to be a complete receiver, this might be the best way.

I don't think it's necessarily fair to say 'well why isn't Patterson getting the ball like Charles Johnson!?'. Is Johnson getting the same kind of attention Patterson is as far as coverage goes? If Johnson continues to do well and we see teams start to plan for him more, will he maintain the same level of success? I hope so, but at this point I think it's premature to declare him the better option. Though one thing seems obvious, him and Teddy seem to have really good chemistry.

[losperros]

I hope Floyd is okay too, he's another guy who is really coming along strong. Between Floyd, Griffen, Barr, Rhodes, and Smith, you have a pretty solid core of guys who you can build around. I also thought Blanton played well, he was quieter in the 2nd half but he makes plays and doesn't seem like much of a liability to me. Same with Hodges, played well in relief duty.

I couldn't agree more. The young guys on D are stepping up nicely.

It's been delightful watching Floyd progress the way he has. I watched him play ball for Florida and I was elated when he became a Viking. The guy has a bunch of talent.

[losperros]

It's Zimmer's job to make sure it "rubs off" on turner so if Patterson's role has been reduced so dramatically and he;s healthy, that's on Zimmer as much as it's on Norv.

Personally, I don't think Patterson's been healthy for quite some time.

I'm beginning to get that feeling as well. Seems to me we're starting to hear more about Patterson being banged up. Even CP is admitting the coaches are concerned about his health.

Because if that's not the case, then we're witnessing a major waste of pure talent. It would be inexcusable. And you're right, both Zimmer and Norv would be to blame.

No way did CP magically lose all that talent, so something else must be going on. At least, I hope so.

[Purple bruise]

Post locker room: http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... e9579716aa

[PacificNorseWest]

Xaiver Rhodes stood out once again. He might be real special here pretty soon.

I like Charles Johnson a lot. And even though I'm a bit bummed by CP not getting many targets, I'm more fine with the fact that since they weren't getting him the ball anyway, might as well not play him. He wasn't in the game very much and that doesn't bother me. He needs to learn routes or keep it moving. People want to blame Norv, but the offense and the routes that are being ran by receivers seem to be just fine when Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright and Greg Jennings are running them.

I was happy with the offense. Having Rudolph back is a big plus and I like the core of receivers. Teddy played well. The RB's leave a lot to be desired, but AP will fix that next year.

[chicagopurple]

Well, THAT was a fun game! I havent been able to say that for a looong time......Nice to see spec teams come thru big and our D look a bit fearsome granted it was against the sad Panthers, but still....).

IF CP is being forced to learn his position (one which almost all pros say is the hardest one to master as a rookie), I would be very pleased. A veteran coach like Turner has the experience and authority to do just that. If so, it should pay off in a big way by next year. If he is injured and not at 100%, all the more reason to take this approach and not over use him but make him learn in a limited roll. I just hope he isnt another ijury prone "mighta been" like Harvin, etc.

[mosscarter]

harvin had a very poor attitude; first and foremost. some say moss had a poor attitude too, but on several occasions this season i saw patterson give up on routes. who is to say what is going on behind the scenes, but it is frustrating because last year we saw the potential and this year we've seen nothing. why not just put him in some red zone situations for some jump balls? the difference with harvin and moss is that you could handle the antics (for the most part) because they produced on the field. harvin did have migrane issues his first year; but those are no joke.

[DK Sweets]

It's been clear for quite a while that CP hasn't had the same acceleration and agility he had last year. The team mostly kept quiet about hip and ankle injuries, and he's played through them, but the effect has been obvious.

It also doesn't help that Cassel went down so early. He was more apt to throw a ball into tight coverage and let 84 make a play. Teddy either doesn't have the same faith in Cordarelle or he's trying to be too safe with the ball. Hopefully, it can change.

I think he'll rebound, but he definitely needs to continue working on his craft. He's never going to be 100% for 16 games, and he can't rely on his athletic ability forever.

[PurpleKoolaid]

So he's injured, yet the coaching staff has him out doing kick returns...