How good is Cordarrelle Patterson?
Time will only tell, but he broke four Minnesota Vikings team records in Sunday’s 14-13 win over the Detroit Lions.
According to KFAN.com, Patterson broke team records for kickoff return yards in a season (1,393 yards), kickoff return average (32.4 yards per return), most rushing touchdowns by a wide receiver (three) and longest rushing touchdown by a wide receiver (50 yards).
The 50-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter was his first offensive touch of the game. His second touch on offensive came in the fourth quarter – an eight-yard touchdown reception to give the Vikings the lead for good.
KFAN-FM 100.3’s Paul Allen on Monday asked Patterson if he feels he should be named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“You know what… I feel like that and all the Vikings fans feel like that, but we can’t put matters in my hands,” Patterson answered. “We gotta leave it up to those guys (nationwide panel of 50 members of Associated Press).”
Patterson finished the season with nine touchdowns – three rushing, four receiving and two kick returns.
Patterson’s toughest competition in the Rookie of the Year race seem to be San Diego wide receiver Keenan Allen and Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy.
Allen finished the regular season with 71 receptions for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. Lacy piled up 1,178 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
While Patterson finished with more total yards than any rookie in the league, his offensive numbers don’t stack up. Because he was rarely used on offense during the first half of the season, he finished with 45 catches for 469 yards.
Perhaps Patterson’s strong finish to the season – five straight games with at least one touchdown – will help get him some votes.
