Wide Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
In free agency this year, the Oakland Raiders added one of the most dynamic returners in the league in wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Throughout his four years as a Minnesota Viking, "Flash" returned five kickoffs for touchdowns, and was named to the Pro Bowl, as well as the First-Team All-Pro list, twice. As Patterson gets ready to kick off his first season as a Raider, he's anxious to make an impact on special teams.
Following practice Thursday, No. 84 took the podium to discuss his role on special teams, as well as with the team's offense.
Here are the quick hits from his media session:
Patterson talked about what it's been like to work with his new teammates.
"Just being around these guys, they'll never let you fail around here. Each and every day everybody smiling, happy, great environment, and I feel like nobody will let you down. If you need help with something, we spend extra time with it, and we've got great receivers out here and we help each other."
The former University of Tennessee Volunteer is happy to have Todd Downing as his Offensive Coordinator.
"I like him a lot, man. He's not the type of coach that's going to yell at you, but he wants you to get the job done. If you don't get a job done, he'll give you that look, and tell you to step it up. The things he's been doing, helping Derek out, and all those quarterbacks is impressive. A guy like that just getting his opportunity, and a guy like me coming in, just want to help and do whatever I can to help each guy out."
He shared the importance of having a good relationship with the guys blocking in front of him on special teams.
"I think it's about those 10 guys that's in front of you, and if you don't trust those 10 guys then you won't have a good unit out there. Just building this trust each and every week, even though I haven't been returning kicks, but it's building that trust with those 10 guys. Just keep building, and building, this week hopefully I get the chance to go out there and show what I can do."
**Patterson explained what he considers a good return, even though he's not satisfied unless he scores.
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"Anything passed the 25 [yard line] is a plus. If they kick a touchback, we start at the 25, so anything over the 25 and I feel like it's a plus for the offense. But a guy like me, I want to score every time. I don't even want the offense out there, I want to score each time I can't, but it doesn't always happen like that. So if I get back the 25, 30, I feel good about myself."
He reflected on his decision to join the Silver and Black, and is confident he made the right move.
"When they were interested, I came and visited. I had a great visit. Like I said, it felt right. It felt like I needed to be here and I wanted to be here. I had to talk to my family. I told them before I made my decision and I made it as soon as I knew it was the right decision."
