Yea but the thing is Patton is young, has good upside, but the thing is, he needs snaps. The Brandon Lloyd signing, hurts in the long run. Patton needs snaps to get better. Maybe excitement is a bit extreme, but dude has all the tools needed to be a good #3 receiver, he is tough and shows a willingness to block and make catches from the sideline. He is like Josh Morgan 2.0, but he has a better QB chucking to him.
in the long run, we're all dead.
this staff hasnt shown they can work with rookie WRs, both cuz of coaches inability and merit system. Im fine with them picking up a vet.
I love the merit system but it also means there are no 'gut' surprises. vets and incumbents will always win out because they know the system or have played in the league before. you gotta have some balance.
I mean, we took AJ and barely got him out there. LMJ only got a chance because of injury. Dorsey only got the nt job cuz Ian went down and no disrespect to Ian but I think Dorsey is a much better player.
hell, for all we know if Alex doesnt get that injury and we go to the bowl he might be still our starter.
it took Patton nearly the whole season to get snaps, both because of injury and his unfamiliarity with the system. he was behind bums like KW and Moore, and I knew there was no way hed be beating them out from square one because the coaches dont do that shyt. I knew even tho Patton was talented, hed be behind bums anyway to start the season, even though everyone knows hes better than them. thats how shyt works, especially on offense.
if it wasnt Lloyd, the potential rookie would be behind Patton and Jon Baldwin even maybe.
that lack of trust in players transfers to our QB who looks for the same usual suspect. how is a WR supposed to be groomed when no one trusts him, and one needs trust and looks to become better ?
this is why Im fine with Lloyd. he can still do some things. there will be confidence in him. he wont be needed to be taught NFL basics. our staff wont have to be scared of putting him out there because hes proven.