Vikings Weekly: Time to get Patterson more involved
After getting off to a 1-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings are preparing for a Sunday night matchup, in primetime, against their division foe the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings will be opening up U.S Bank Stadium for the regular season for the first-time. They hope to give fans a memorable night and a home victory over their rival.
In week one, the Vikings moved the ball well offensively but struggled to finish drives. There seemed to be a lack of creativity within the offensive play calling, especially when running the ball. Norv Turner could spark the entire offensive attack by getting Cordarrelle Patterson more involved.
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Patterson has worked his way back up the depth chart over the summer and now into the season. His versatile skill set allows him to be quite the dynamic force. He can be an asset both in the air or on the ground; when he has the ball in his hands, Patterson is one of the greatest threats in the NFL.
Minnesota had trouble getting Adrian Peterson going in week one. Mostly due to the constant eight, nine and even ten man boxes the Titans were showing. They were clearly selling out to stop the running game at all costs. Green Bay will likely try the same. The Vikings need to show adaptability and become more creative.
The Vikings can start the game offensively by attacking the outside of the defense. Targeting Patterson on screens and short passes would allow the quarterback to get into a rhythm. Patterson can also be used out of the backfield and on end arounds to spread out the defense.
This type of game plan would allow Patterson to re-create his niche in the offense. He can score from anywhere on the field. Every time he touches the ball, Patterson has the ability to take it for six. The Vikings would be foolish to keep this dangerous of a weapon off the field.
Using Patterson more often would give the defense another key threat to worry about. If effective, it will open up the middle and allow for Peterson to impose his will.
Patterson can give the Vikings a spark and perhaps even help alleviate red zone woes. He is a big play waiting to happen. Not to mention his recent improvement as a receiver. He shows strong hands and represents a big body to overmatch defenders in 50/50 situations. If the Vikings were to take advantage of Patterson’s strengths, they would have more firepower with him back in the mix.
Austin Erwin writes for cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. He can be followed on Twitter @austin_erwin. Like and follow vikings32 on Facebook and Twitter.
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