Why Cordarrelle Patterson could figure big into Bears offensive scheme
Watching David Montgomery slip and fall last week was "scary" for Bears receiver/running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Non-contact injuries always are.
Thankfully for the Bears, it seems as if Montgomery will be ready to return in two to four weeks.
"Any time you see a guy go down, it's always scary, no matter who the guy is," Patterson said. "Hopefully, he'll be back ready for Week 1. We love him, everybody loves him in this organization."
Montgomery's timeline could put him out for Week 1 or even Week 2. His absence would provide an opportunity for Patterson and the rest of the Bears running backs.
The Bears signed undrafted rookie Napoleon Maxwell on Monday. With bigger names on the market (Jacksonville released Leonard Fournette on Monday and he went unclaimed on Tuesday), the addition seems to indicate the Bears aren't too worried about Montgomery.
If the second-year back out of Iowa State isn't ready to play against Detroit on Sept. 13, Patterson might find the ball in his hands more often. So, too, might running backs Tarik Cohen, Artavis Pierce and Ryan Nall.
Patterson was heavily involved in Saturday's dress rehearsal scrimmage at Soldier Field. He made a nice sliding catch on a pass from Mitch Trubisky over the middle during the scrimmage's first quarter, then Patterson showed his speed on a 25-yard touchdown run along the right side on the next play.
He ran untouched into the end zone.
"They got to trust me and trust that I'm going to read the right blocks," Patterson said. "Like I said, it's just trusting the offensive linemen. They did a heck of a job covering everybody up, and I want to say a tight end came over and set off the edge for me. It was just, like, a play that you can't miss."
Patterson didn't miss it, and it was one of the best runs from a Bears running back all day.
A seventh-year veteran, Patterson was a Pro Bowl kick returner last season for the Bears. He figures to be all over the field at running back and receiver in 2020.
Bears running backs coach Charles London said earlier this month that the Bears were looking for ways to "maximize" Patterson's involvement in the offense.
"I'm sure, as we continue to evolve on offense, we'll see if maybe he fits somewhere, but I know we have big plans for Cordarrelle this year on offense in general," London said.
Patterson said the running part of being a running back is the easy part. It's no different than kick returns: Follow the blockers and look for a hole.
"Fundamentally, it's just trying to work on my handoffs, and my footsteps and everything, being beside the quarterback," Patterson said. "Just trying to learn a lot because running back, I feel like you're like a backup quarterback out there. You've got to know Mike, Sam and Will (linebackers). You've got to know what front (the defense is in). You've got to know so much at the running back position."
Patterson could be an intriguing weapon in the red zone. He has the size (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) to hold his own near the goal line. His pass-catching ability could give the Bears a sorely needed weapon near the end zone, too. The Bears used him in various situations during Saturday's scrimmage.
One thing was clear: Patterson was on the field a lot.
Patterson was working with the running backs from day one at training camp, which was a new development. He carried the ball only 17 times in 2019.
A year earlier in New England, Patterson totaled 42 carries for 228 yards and a touchdown. Twice during that season, Patterson had double-digit carries for New England, including a season-high 11 carries and 61 yards against Green Bay in Week 9.
Asked if he could be a full-time running back, Patterson said, "I'm a full-time whatever coach needs me to be. Anytime I'm out there on the field, I'm full-time."