One offseason free agent acquisition that largely flew under the radar also turned out to be one of the most impactful.
When the Falcons signed Cordarrelle Patterson to a one-year, $3 million deal in April, fans were probably expecting him to be the kick return specialist and occasional role player from scrimmage that he had been the past few seasons. It was a niche he had carved out earlier in his career, with versatility and athleticism defining his game. But he's since become much, much more, and he owes it not only to the Falcons for providing him the opportunity, but also to his mother for continually acting as a source of inspiration.
In a feature story on the Falcons' official website, Kris Rhim tells us that Patterson's mother — who "struggled to make ends meet while working multiple jobs to provide for the family" — motivates the Swiss army knife mentality that the nine-year veteran has.
"If my mom could go out there and work three jobs, I can go out there and play three positions. Why can't I do what she did for us?" Patterson said. "It's like a big motivation, and every time I'm on the field, I don't care where they put me; I'm gonna make a play. You can put me at safety; I'm getting an interception. You put me at D-End Ima get a sack.
"That's just the mindset that I have, and nobody can take that confidence away from me."
You think he's exaggerating? Head coach Arthur Smith doesn't.
"I know this, you ask CP to go in there and play [defensive end], he'd do it and wouldn't hesitate," Smith said.
Perhaps that's not the best plan, though, seeing as Patterson has been tearing it up on the offensive side of the ball. With 333 yards through the air and 268 on the ground, Patterson is one of only 17 players in football with 600 yards from scrimmage and at least five total touchdowns. If you had asked Falcons fans which member of the offense would have been able to do that at the halfway point prior to the season, Patterson might have been the third or fourth name guessed. It's no surprise that the fan base loves what he's doing so far, and the feeling is mutual.
"It really do feel like home," Patterson said. "I feel like they are really embracing the guy I can be on the football field…
"I really love Atlanta, man."
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