Last week, Cordarelle Patterson received just three offensive snaps for the Vikings. With Patterson’s role reduced almost to nothing, the Vikings’ offense put together arguably their strongest passing performance of the year.
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Yesterday against the Jets, Norv Turner continued his less-is-more approach with Patterson, giving the receiver just one offensive snap the entire game.
Patterson’s one rush, a jet sweep, resulted in a six-yard gain.
Those six yards would prove to be the only positive impact Patterson would have on the game. On the negative side, Patterson contributed a fumble on the opening kick return of the second half, setting up the Jets with good field position.
Patterson would be bailed out by his defense as they held the Jets to just a field goal.
On the day, Patterson would rack up just 21 return yards on four attempts. The Jets made a concerted effort to keep the ball away from the supposedly dangerous return artist who on the year is averaging just 25 yards per return, well down from the 32.4 he averaged in 2014.
Besides the fumble, the only thing worth remembering about Patterson’s day was the bright yellow gloves he wore. The increasingly-invisible Patterson has to do something to make himself noticed.
With Patterson once again relegated to the sidelines on offense, the Vikings rang up 297 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, with a third touchdown being taken away after Charles Johnson fumbled to Jerome Felton at the goal line.
Patterson’s replacement at split end, Charles Johnson, caught 4 balls for 103 yards and a TD. Johnson’s 56-yard TD reception in the first half was exactly the kind of deep passing play the Vikes expected to get from the speedy Patterson.
After a second straight strong game for Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings pass offense, it’s hard to see why Norv Turner would want to work Patterson back into the mix.
Patterson has indicated that he is frustrated with his role, but what argument can he make to the coaching staff in seeking increased playing time?
The team’s performance on the field is the strongest argument in favor of keeping Cordarrelle Patterson right where he is: on the bench.
If he’s bored on the sidelines, maybe someone can give him a glove catalog to look at.