[ad_1]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – To be a productive member of the New England Patriots, it's usually best to tackle the game plan every week with a suitable eye.
No one has learned this lesson this season more than Recipient Cordarrelle Patterson.
When he was traded to the Patriots by Oakland in March, Patterson arrived in New England hoping to reach a spot in Tom Brady's receiving corps after a reworking of the off season with the departure of Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola.
But after a neck injury caused by veteran Rex Burkhead at injured reserve and injured knee rookie Sony Michel in the seventh week, he created a gap to another position that was recovering from the loss of the free agent Dion Lewis.
The natural solution seemed to be an increased role for veteran James White. Instead, the coaching staff preferred creativity to predictability.
Twice later, Patterson became the last Patriots player to excel in an unconventional role in New England.
Patterson led the Patriots with 61 yards in the race, including a 5-yard touchdown in their 31-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. It was the second week in a row that he led the team into the race and arrived two weeks after having a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Bears.
This is just right for a player called "Flash" early in his career.
"I said I wanted 25 races this week," Patterson said. "Every time my number is called, I'm ready for everything I have to do on the football field."
Using Patterson out of the backfield is not as exaggerated as it sounds.
Coach Bill Belichick said he noted his team's ability to produce 6-foot-2 and 220-pound pieces while studying his 2017 film with Raider. He ran 13 times for 121 yards and two goals with Oakland last season, averaging 9.3 yards per run.
Patterson was used by the Patriots on some setbacks early in the season, once again impressing his new coaches with his offensive punches of speed and power.
"He worked very hard with ball handling, reading, but damn it, he runs hard. He's running fast and it's a tough one to attack, "Belichick said. "Like many of our guys, they step in, fulfill the role we need for them and help the team win, and that's really what it's all about."
It became the theme of Belichick actors.
Back James Develin was a Brown defensive player before finding a home as a Patriots defender. Matt Slater arrived in New England as a catcher, but he became captain of his special teams and seven-time pro.
White said that Patterson's natural skills and willingness to accept coaches were his greatest assets in acclimating to the Patriots' culture.
"He's a powerful guy, fast and explosive," said White. "He can score every time he touches football and he tries to get better every week. The more he does it, the better he is.
Michel was unsure of Sunday's game against Green Bay and could return to the game as soon as the Patriots travel to Tennessee this week.
For now, Patterson said he was trying to stay humble and hungry in the role he had been assigned – no matter how long.
"I mean it's the next man who gets up. It's the NFL. If you can play, you can play, "he said. "We did not like guys not being ready, but everyone will get involved because it's our job. This is our life. "
[ad_2]
Source link
