Cordarrelle Patterson was supposed to be one of the league's breakout stars in 2014. But after a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has been relegated to the bench.
Cordarrelle Patterson benched, Titans CEO threatens roster shakeup
The star Vikings wideout has been demoted in Minnesota, the Ravens are dealing with injuries to a pair of key offensive playmakers and Titans president Tommy Smith sounds ready to make big changes in Nashville.
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Patterson, who did not take a single snap with the offense in the first half last week against the Carolina Panthers, has been replaced in the starting lineup by second-year pro Charles Johnson.
“C.J. is playing at a high level,” offensive coordinator Norv Turner said, via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. “C.J. is the starter at X [receiver]. That’s the position Cordarrelle plays. We’re going to do what we can to give him some opportunities to play there, but C.J.‘s playing at a real high level right now.”
Patterson has failed to form much of a rapport with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and has just 30 receptions for 350 yards and one touchdown through 12 games. That production is similar to what Patterson posted through 12 games last season (30 catches for 254 yards and one score) -- but he ended that season by posting 215 yards and three touchdowns in the last four games, leading to heightened expectations in 2014.
Chargers lineman suffers concussion walking out of practice
San Diego Chargers offensive guard Ryan Miller has been placed on the season-ending non-football injury list after suffering a concussion. The reason why it's non-football is because the injury reportedly happened when Miller slipped and fell walking out of practice on Wednesday, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
It’s a tough break for a guy who missed all of last season with a concussion, something that no doubt played a factor in the decision to shelve him for the remainder of 2014. As pointed out by Pro Football Talk, it’s a decision that could lead to a legal battle: a team can choose not to pay a player on the NFI list, something that could prompt Miller and the NFLPA to file a grievance claiming that the injury occurred during the course of his employment.
Titans CEO threatens roster shakeup
The coach and general manager of the Tennessee Titans are safe, CEO and team president Tommy Smith said. The players, however, are an entirely different story, Smith told Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean.
“The roster is going to look a lot different next year,” said Smith, who said he’s confident in coach Ken Whisenhunt and GM Ruston Webster. “Players need to be playing to the best of their abilities right now, and that will determine their future. There may be some players whose contracts might be up, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to be here. There may be some players with multiyear contracts, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be here.”
After an offseason full of free agent grabs, the Titans have started the season 2-10. Not only are they losing, but they’re doing it by an average of 14.3 points while ranking 29th in offensive scoring and dead last in points allowed.
Homeland Security investigated threats after Super Bowl XLVII
A report by NBC News 4 claims that federal Homeland Security teams investigated a number of threats before and during Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, including the infamous blackout incident.
In addition to the blackout, which stalled the title game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens for 35 minutes, federal officials reportedly investigated multiple bomb threats and the theft of assault weapons from a police car.
Twenty-four hours before the game, police fielded a call from a Baltimore pay phone in which an unknown caller claimed the Superdome “is gonna blow up after Beyonce’s [halftime] performance.” Police in New Orleans also received a threat that explosives had been placed at the French Quarter bar Krazy Korner, located just a mile and a half from the stadium. Both incidents were investigated and cleared by police.
On the day of the game, an unmarked police car was burglarized in a neighborhood close to the stadium. The items stolen from the vehicle included a handgun, ammunition, tactical vests and police badges. Two suspects were arrested the following year.
Ravens missing Forsett, Smith at practice
The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up to face one of the league's best defenses in the Miami Dolphins, and they're doing so without two of their top offensive weapons. Both running back Justin Forsett and wide receiver Torrey Smith sat out practice on Thursday. They both missed practice on Wednesday, as well.
Forsett, the team’s leading rusher (1,009 yards, seven touchdowns) is hampered by a knee injury, but told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun he expects to play this weekend. Smith, who leads the team with eight receiving touchdowns, is also dealing with a knee issue.
See More:
