Cordarrelle Patterson Hit the Books, Now Ready To Break Out

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) is introduced as the twenty ninth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Even after being named an All-Pro at kick returner his rookie year, Cordarrelle Patterson knows he could have done better.

“I don’t think my work ethic was good enough last year,” Patterson said at a press conference in Winter Park today. Patterson said he came to the conclusion after looking at film from his rookie year, and vowed to be “way better” in 2014.

It may have been that work ethic that limited Patterson’s snaps at wide receiver until later in the 2013 season. 429 of Patterson’s 627 yards on offense his rookie season came in the final six games last year.

But now, Patterson doesn’t want anything to hold him back. He’s preparing for the season by studying every receiver position in Norv Turner’s offense.

“I want to learn everything this year,” Patterson said, after primarily focusing on the “X” position last year.

Norv Turner said the first thing he did as Vikings offensive coordinator was install 10 plays in his playbook for Patterson. If Patterson can learn extra positions and increase his versatility, Turner may have to (happily) head back to the drawing board.

Patterson even said he reached out to wide receiver Josh Gordon , who blossomed in his second year in the league in Turner’s system. Gordon told Patterson that Turner would find a way to give Patterson the ball.

Patterson just wants to be ready when it comes to him.

Outside of football, Patterson said he went back to Tennessee to take some classes. Patterson said he’ll miss final exams though because he’ll have to be at Winter Park for practice.

Instead, Patterson said he is thinking about continuing his education this year, possibly by attending the University of Minnesota on the side.

And what does Patterson want to study?

“I want to be a fashion designer,” Patterson said, so he’s looking at a degree in fashion.

Patterson definitely made a fashion statement at the NFL Draft last year when he wore a white dinner jacket to the ceremony. In 2014, it looks like Patterson is committed to stay “flashy,” both on and off the field.