If any team can turn a kickoff returner into a reliable receiver, it is the New England Patriots.
Suddenly thin at the wide receiver position, the team is looking to capitalize on the talent of Cordarrelle Patterson and transform him into the type of receiver he was believed to be when he was drafted back in 2013.
With his best season coming during his rookie season when he hauled in 45 receptions for 469 yards, Patterson never really caught on as a playmaker in any offense. Luckily, he was able to find his niche in the NFL as one of the most dangerous kick returners in the game.
Now, entering his sixth season, that may all chance with the opportunity he’ll get with the Patriots.
Acquired in the offseason in a trade with the Oakland Raiders, Cordarrelle Patterson is not just being brought in to return kicks. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have greater plans for the speedster.
In an appearance on Good Morning Football back in April, Patterson shared some inspiring words from Belichick following the acquisition.
"“I don’t know what you’ve been through in the past, but basically, we get the job done here,” Patterson said Belichick told him. “We’re gonna make you the player that you should be.”"
At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, the speed and athleticism are there for Patterson to be special in the Patriots offense. He just needs the confidence and repetitions to translate his raw talent into something more valuable on the field.
While Cordarrelle Patterson will make an impact on special teams, here are three reasons to believe in him as a receiver in the New England Patriots system.
Hard work turns players into stars
When players work hard on the practice field, they are typically rewarded by Bill Belichick when the games count.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
It’s only training camp, but Cordarrelle Patterson has turned some heads with his receiving ability. He has made both difficult and circus catches that definitely has excited his coaches and teammates.
With the confidence that is being instilled in him by a coach like Belichick and his own ability, don’t be surprised if this is the season Patterson blossoms mostly due to the hard work he is putting in.
"“He’s a hard-working guy,” Belichick said, via The Providence Journal. “He’s out there every single day. He’s improved every day. He has skills in offense and the kicking game in a number of different areas, return skills, coverage skills, blocking skills, catching skills. He’s got some experience, so he’s able to utilize that. He understands his sill set and how it matches up against different types of players.”"
Watch for Josh McDaniels to find different ways to use Patterson. Like Brandon Cooks last season, he will be put in positions to utilize his speed. While it is not expected that he’ll be an instant deep threat, you better believe there will be deep plays called for him.
The more important aspect to Cordarrelle Patterson’s hard work is the fun he is having. Doing whatever the team asks and playing freely should help him become a value contributor within the offense.
When opportunity knocks…
With Julian Edelman missing the first four weeks, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense will be searching for reliable targets.
Yes, Rob Gronkowski will be on the field, but without Danny Amendola, Brandin Cooks and possibly Malcolm Mitchell, the only receiver Brady has chemistry with is Chris Hogan. That’s why training camp and the preseason is so important for the offense.
The addition of Eric Decker should help, but Cordarrelle Patterson is in a group of receivers that the team needs to get something from. Along with Kenny Britt and Phillip Dorsett, Patterson has the speed to be a dangerous threat in the offense.
With the amount of uncertainly within the receiving group, he will certainly get the chance to prove it. Whether he earns Brady’s trust is the true test, but if he keeps making the type of plays he has made so far in training camp, the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback will look his way more and more when he is on the field.
During Tom Brady’s 18-year career, there have been a number of wide receivers he has made better by getting them the ball and utilizing their strength.
More from New England Patriots
- Former Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair
- 3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason Game
- Patriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even Begins
- New Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKings
- Ezekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots
If Cordarrelle Patterson is to finally become a consistent offensive playmaker, he will have to earn the trust of one of the best. Not only does Brady expect players to know the plays, he is very particular about route running.
While mistakes will happen, too many of those mistakes will keep Patterson exclusively on special teams. The mere fact that Patterson has not played with a quarterback as meticulous as Brady already makes him a better receiver.
In earning Brady’s trust, Patterson knows he has to be in the right places at the right time. Relying solely on his speed will get him nowhere in the New England Patriots offense. He has to know the routes and be able to adjust depending on coverage. Besides raw skill, those are the things that get playmakers into Tom Brady’s circle of reliability.
"“It’s a lot out there. I’ll be doing a lot of mistakes and errors out there,” Patterson said. I don’t even look at the good stuff. I’m just looking at the bad stuff and trying to get that corrected. Trying to get the trust of the offensive coordinator and the head coach.”"
With the praise Cordarrelle Patterson has received, it is most promising that he is focused on improving on the little things that will turn him into more than just a kick return threat for the New England Patriots.