Cordarrelle Patterson Vows To Work Harder

When rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson received just 11 snaps on offense in the first two games of the 2013 regular season, many of us were perplexed. The man known as "Flash" had shown an obvious ability to make things happen with his success in the return game, and the Minnesota Vikings' struggling passing game definitely needed a spark.

During the team's press conference following a mini-camp practice on Wednesday, Patterson revealed what may have caused that to happen.

"Last year, coming in as a rookie, you really don't know what to expect. I don't think my work ethic was good enough last year," Patterson said. "This year my whole mindset is remember everything, do better than you did last year."

Patterson saw his role in the offense increase as the season wore on, but it's nice to see him recognize that he can always stand to get better. Just like a certain other Vikings' receiver that wore #84. . .and I'm not referring to Michael Jenkins, in case you're wondering. . .he just has so much athletic ability that it's easy to forget that there are other aspects of being a wide receiver in the NFL.

Speaking of receivers, the team is starting to install Norv Turner's new offense, and the team's elder statesman at the position seems to be a bit overwhelmed.

"My head is spinning," [wide receiver Greg] Jennings said. "Even though the offense is coming and it's starting to sink in. Just with all the different change-ups we can present to the defense, the different looks, the different formations we can run the same play, the different variations that comes within the same play. Your head is spinning at all times until you have it down.

"The variations from one play to the variations of how we can get to that one play, is a lot. I'm being a little sarcastic with this statement, but it almost equates to what we had last year - just one play. It's a lot."

I may be a little biased, but I have a feeling that Greg Jennings (and the rest of the offense) will be just fine. It's going to be very interesting to see if Turner can work his magic with a Minnesota Vikings' offense that certainly isn't short on talent.