Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Spielman knows people weren’t happy with the way Cordarrelle Patterson was used – or, more properly, not used – by Bill Musgrave in 2013.
Maybe it was Patterson’s slow development or maybe it was Musgrave’s slowness to recognize Patterson’s potential value, but for whatever reason, Flash didn’t see a lot of targets early in the season. And this didn’t sit well with Viking fans eager to watch the rookie show off his skills.
This won’t happen again under Norv Turner, Spielman assured the fanbase during his combine presser on Thursday.
Turner loves Patterson’s talents, Spielman said. So much that, according to Rick, the first thing Norv did when he arrived in Minnesota was draw up ten plays just for Patterson.
Even before his stuff was unpacked, Norv was putting in plays for Patterson. That’s how much Norv loves Patterson!!!
Spielman always has one eye on scoring points from a PR point-of-view, so it was natural that he should address fans’ Patterson concerns in his combine press conference, while also taking another veiled shot at his favorite scapegoat, Bill Musgrave.
I mean it’s pretty clear this is the subtext here, right? Musgrave was a chump who didn’t know how to use Patterson, but Norv, he’s a genius, so he’ll use Patterson all over the field.
“We’re moving on from Bill Musgrave in a big way” has been the secret theme of much of what Spielman has been shoveling out there this offseason, and I’m guessing most fans are happy to hear it.
The happiest guy in this whole scenario will be Cordarrelle Patterson, who should be a featured component of Norv Turner’s new high-octane vertical offense. Now just find Norv a QB, Spielman. And watch this whole thing blow up.
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