Ultimatum By Cordarrelle Patterson
January 26th, 2017
Wants guaranteed playing time.
If some Bucs fans wanted potential free agent wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, he may have just turned the same folks off.
Patterson, a gifted return man but a meh receiver, all but told teams yesterday by way of Conor Orr of NFL.com that unless he is promised a starting job at wide receiver, he has zero interest in signing with a team.
“Two years I spent damn near on the sideline,” Patterson said. “That’s never a good feeling for any player. No player wants to go through that. I need to know if I’m going to play or not. If not, I’ll take my talents elsewhere.”
Joe isn’t sure Patterson could start at receiver for the Browns. His best year was his rookie season in 2014 when he had 469 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
Patterson, however, had his worst year as a kick return man in 2016 for total return yards with 792, though he did have a 104-yard touchdown return and his average led the league at 31.7 yards, the third time in his career his average per return topped the NFL.
At receiver, Patterson had a strong 75 percent catch rate, but Joe still has an issue with him. Playing time much less a starting job should not be awarded, but earned.
If Patterson is demanding to start as a receiver, might Joe suggest he try the Winnipeg Blue Bombers?
January 26th, 2017 at 11:40 am
I don’t want him. Guys like that should know ANY work in the NFL is a good thing. Get on a team, prove yourself, and you will be used a lot.
The fact that he has not proven himself to be a good WR and is making demands? Turn off.
January 26th, 2017 at 11:40 am
I would like to see him make $500,000 per year bagging groceries.
January 26th, 2017 at 11:44 am
Looks like Pryor is getting franchised, one WR the Bucs should look at is Robert Woods from Buffalo, he was a 2nd rounder 4 years ago, decent size 6’0 200 and speed 4.45, a very consistent receiver over 500 yards each year playing in run dominated offenses with a bonafied number 1 Watkins, and subpar QBs…young reliable and playmaking skills, and won’t cost a lot, draft a speed receiver to compliment Woods Hump and Evans, won’t break the break but definitely an upgrade over what we currently have
January 26th, 2017 at 11:49 am
He didn’t play WR because he was undisciplined and didn’t do well with routes & knowing the offense as far as I recall. Now you want to be guaranteed playing time? Wtf is wrong with this guy? You already have a bad rep..
January 26th, 2017 at 11:49 am
bust
January 26th, 2017 at 11:49 am
I like Robert Woods as a under the radar signing. Huge upgrade over Martino lol
January 26th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Jameis needs guys who run clean routes, he even said it. This dude can not do that.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
alvin harper 6.0
January 26th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
I think for the right price he could be worth taking a flyer on. You can’t teach his athleticism and playmaking ability. You can teach him how to run better routes though. At the very least he is a pro bowl returner
January 26th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
pass….stick with one of the redskins wrs, k.stills, r.woods….maybe even ted ginn….GO BUCS!!!!
January 26th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
@BucBonzai
Agree completely with you. If he’s too afraid of making the starting lineup and needs it guaranteed he can take a hike.
The other part of the equation is Kick returner. On one hand I had totally dismissed the value of this position because of the new kickoff rules.
Having said that…we probably lost one game and almost another because of an incompetent KR who bobbled the ball at the goal line. Then GB almost lost to Dallas for the same reason. So while I’m not worried about having a Patterson type back there or any burner…I DO want a SMART player who realizes where the helll he is on the field…our goal line!
While the new kickoff rule has not necessarily had a big impact on the percentage of kicks being returned (36.56 percent this year versus 35.54 last year), the quality of returns has likely gone down. This season the average kickoff return is just 21.8 yards versus last season’s mark of 23.9 per return.
Given that the 25 yard line is a freebie…just statistically speaking it’s not smart to bring the ball out. I accept the arguments of nothing ventured nothing gained….can’t take one to the house without bringing it out…the odds are so against that IMHO I want ball security taken care of first and foremost. These plays are always taking place at OUR GOAL LINE.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:16 pm
lol
January 26th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
He caught 52 passes this season, and he was target only 70 times. Adam Humphries caught 55 passes and he was target 80 times. Mike Evans caught 96 passes and he was target 175 times. He has a high catch ratio at 79% this season. I think he would be a good receiver if target 100 times a season. His routes has to be shorten, hit him with short throws and let him use his speed and footwork in the open field. It don’t make sense to send him out on 30 yards routes. Just get him in space with the quick,short hitches and let him do his thing.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I was on the Patterson train until I saw this. I wanted us to go out and sign someone like Pierre Garcon or Terrell Pryor to be the #2 WR, then a guy like Patterson or Ginn Jr to be the Return Man and #3 or #4 Outside WR, and on top of that, still draft someone in top 3 rounds who could develop into the good #2 WR or better.
Imagine Evans, Garcon/Pryor, Humphries, Patterson/Ginn, Rookie X and Sheppard as your 6 man WR core. That’s a HUGE upgrade over what was being trotted out last year.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
I dont want him here
January 26th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
Pass! Immature & entitled.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
His catch radio was at 74%, but he’s also good at running the ball.
January 26th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Doesn’t change my mind about him one bit. I like the fact that he wants to be on the field. Would you want a WR that says I’m ok with being on the sideline?
This sentiment is echoed in a recent podcast he was on. He said he would “love” to play running back. The Ty Montgomery position switch really peaked his interest.
Now that could be a serious weapon for Winston.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
His agent’s spin will follow shortly. Bucs should make the move. Guarantee his stating spot in all jet sweep packages.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
And nowhere in the article is he quoted saying he needs to be a starting WR to sign. He just wants to get his playing time.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Why do we need a return man? Huff has shown he can bring it out to the 5.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
So reading more about this that really was the worst thing he said and the guy interviewing him said he didn’t sound bitter at all when he said it.
At first I read this and thought he was asking to be a outside #2 WR; but he just wants touches and opportunities and I can’t blame him too much for that; especially since he’s been productive with them.
He even said he liked the idea of playing RB; and he’s been good when given those touches (33 carries for over 333 yards and 4 TDs)
Guy definitely has the big play ability we could use… If we sign him I trust our mental evaluations.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
“Why do we need a return man? Huff has shown he can bring it out to the 5.”
LOL man what a blooper reel that guy put together in just like 2-3 games
January 26th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Good. I was kind of hoping he wouldnt be a target.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:27 pm
I’d still like to see them pursue Patterson, he shouldn’t require a large contract. Give him a chance to compete with Humphries, Huff, Shepherd and Martino for the #2. If he wins the job great, if not cut him. I’d like to see what he can do with a QB that can throw it down the field. It’s hard to evaluate him in Minnesota’s dink and dunk passing game.
January 26th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Huff. lol
Will they ever find a solid KR?
January 26th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Patterson would be an instant upgrade over any receiver not named Mike Evans. How hard would it be to guarantee him playing time over Freddy Martino and Associates? Make the guarantee and sign him to a front loaded, cap friendly contract.
January 26th, 2017 at 2:19 pm
And why all the hate for a player that’s showing passion for getting playing time? The man knows he is in the prime of his career and he wants to be on the field to help his team win.
There’s only praise for Winston’s passion to play football around here. Imagine the Bucs decided to bench Winston for inconsistent play for the better part of the next two seasons and then decided not to pick up his 5th year option. What would Winston be saying if he had a shot at Unrestricted Free Agency after that? I’m sure he would sound a lot like Mr. Patterson sounds right now.
January 26th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Let’s get Patterson he wants to play, anyone who is a competitor would want to play.
January 26th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
I told you guys a week ago you want no part of this guy. He is not a good WR period! America’s Commenter this is easy if you are good enough you will earn playing time. Don’t demand something from someone else demand more from yourself and the rest will fall into place. We want know part of someone who would rather be gifted a position when all our coaches talk about is competition. Plus like I said a week ago this guy is not even good and would be a major waste of money.
January 26th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
OK well if he demands to be a starter then, yeah, good luck with that. Unless WR5 is a starter to him that is. As a returner the guy would be a good pickup, and as someone who could just run fast down the field as a 4th or 5th WR on 3rd and long he might be a good pick – not that you throw him the ball but that at least they’d 9=(most likely) have to cover him. It’s pretty hilarious he thinks he’s a starting WR since when he has played WR he’s stunk. As depth I think he’d be fine – but only because you’d expect him to be a top return man. He does have good size, 6′ 2″ 220, and he is still just 25 years old – but come man, seriously, demanding to be a starter? LOL.
Oh well, it wasn’t really a big deal to sign him, he was just one of the guys I’d put at the top of the list when talking about return men, and a depth, deep depth, WR.
January 26th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Waterboy – “Give him a chance to compete with Humphries, Huff, Shepherd and Martino for the #2. If he wins the job great, if not cut him.”
If that’s our options for the #2 WR next year, then you can go ahead and cancel the season. That should be the list of people hoping not to get cut and vying for WR4 and WR5. Humphries is OK as a #4 guy that runs bubble screens, he doesn’t have the size, speed or skill to be a #2 and never will, he’s good only against zone defenses and doesn’t win one on one battles. Shepherd is the most interesting of that list since he’s never played much but has decent size and decent speed and honestly the way he used his body and the way he jumped, he looked like a smaller version of Evans and VJ – but he is quite a bit smaller, but still NFL sized for a #2. Huff is garbage, if he makes the team I’d be shocked. Marito is actually a bit bigger than I thought and still has some upside, but again – going into the season saying he could be your #2? Wow. No thanks.
January 26th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Okay okay, we can relax he doesn’t appear to be demanding to be a WR1 or 2. He just wants to play and get touches. We still need him. The guy has had terrible QBs throwing to him so we don’t really know what he can do other than be the best kick returner in the NFL. We need Patterson.
January 26th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
“Humble wide receiver” is right up with “jumbo shrimp” and “military intelligence” on the oxymoron list. I’m more concerned with what they do versus what they say. We need to sign SEVERAL of the free agents and hope that a couple can make the team.
January 26th, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Look at him. All first world problem complainy and sh1t
January 26th, 2017 at 5:20 pm
@USFBUC
I dont understand the whole “we need explosiveness in the return game” argument for signing him. 90% of kickoffs are touch backs anyway. Punt returns is where we need explosiveness and Patterson doesn’t return punts in Minnesota. Maybe that is just because Marcus Sherels is just better than him at it (granted Sherels is one of the best punt returners in the NFL) or maybe he cant be trusted fielding punts.
And playing with bad QBs has nothing to do with poor route running. If he was even a decent receiver and more than a return man he wouldnt be 5th on their depth chart
January 26th, 2017 at 6:17 pm
Ok, that does it for me. I wanted patterson, before he opened his mouth and revealed himself to be a mental midget.
First he was talking about how he didnt feel wanted, now he wants guaranteed starter status. Next he’ll be talking about micro’aggressions and safe spaces.
Pass.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:49 pm
@Joey
his average return was 31.7 yards that means that when he returns the ball we are in great field position. Yes there are lots of touch backs now but he still returned 25 kicks last year. That’s 25 times for him to directly impact field position and the game per season. Even taking away his one return for a TD he averages a 28 yard return. Depending on where he catches that we are starting near midfield.
I think he has the potential still to be a playmaker in other aspects of the game though too. The guy was good in college and made big plays then and can still do it now if given the chance. I think we could use him as a number 2 or 3 on our team. I still want a guy like Stills too though and a mid round pick on WR on top of that.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
@Blake
He didn’t ask for starter status from the story I read. He wants to get touches on the ball and not sat on the bench like he was under Norv Turner with the Vikings.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:06 pm
@USFBUC
“Even taking away his one return for a TD he averages a 28 yard return. Depending on where he catches that we are starting near midfield”
I’m not a mathematician, but if a 28 yard return gets us to midfield, that means he caught it on the 22 yard line. When was the last time you saw a kickoff fielded at the 22 yard line?
If his market value is cheap enough then maybe I would be on board. However if he is expecting $5-6 million when Kenny Britt and Pierre Garcon have a market value of $7 million then that’s a little much for a returner/gadget player. Just my opinion tho.
And I would say he is a #4 receiver at best. Look at who the Vikings have ahead of him. Diggs is good, Adam Thielen had a couple good games at the end of the year, Charles Johnson, Laquon Treadwell was ahead of him and he caught literally 1 catch all year. If Patterson is an explosive playmaker as a receiver you would think he would be able to beat some of these guys out
January 26th, 2017 at 9:23 pm
Near midfield is semantics Joey, but if he is catches the ball on the 10 that starts us on the 38 so we are a first down away from midfield.
Did you know our average kick return was only 14.6 yards? He is a huge upgrade in that department.
Also think about this, the guy is the best in the NFL at something that is actually tougher than being a receiver from my personal experience in hs. How is the guy a dynamic kick returner but not a threat at WR? Maybe it’s just misuse of his skills. A high catch rate with only an 8 yard average to me sounds like he got most of his targets in traffic probably across the middle on clearly short routes.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Also he was the Vikings number 3 man look at his stats.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:55 pm
Joey I looked deeper into Patterson stats man and the guy just isn’t being used properly. I’m no mathematician either but they guy averages 8.7 yards per catch and his YAC per reception is 6.3 yards, so he is catching passes 2.4 yards from the line of scrimmage.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Sorry 2.5, see not a math guy
January 26th, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Usfbuc, have you considered the possibility that Patterson is not good at running routes? Or maybe he’s just not good at catching the ball in stride down the field?
If they are only running him on screens, and such, there is a reason.
January 26th, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Sure that might be a possibility just like it might be that they are misusing him. Interesting stat among WR with more than just a handful of receptions Patterson is 8th in the NFL in YAC per reception.
The Vikings have never used him very much in his four years there but they also couldn’t work their first round pick of Laquon Treadwell into the offense either. Looking at some of their other stats it looks like their average pass attempt is under 10 yards so it seems that their offense isn’t designed for big plays.
January 26th, 2017 at 11:26 pm
The bucs need players that love football and want to play like they are an undrafted fee agent Attitude! Like Brate and those the Pats want! Simple but hard to find…
January 27th, 2017 at 8:33 am
@blake Patterson does get some criticism on his route running but the same scouting report also states that the Vikings don’t put him in enough situations to make use of his natural talents. Surely he can be coached on his route running. We just need to set him up with ME and Winston