FOXBORO -- Cordarrelle Patterson could have a unique role for the Patriots this season.
The wide receiver, who came over via trade with the Raiders this offseason, hasn't had much success as a wide out in his five years as a pro, but he's had maybe more success when the ball gets in his hands as a runner. He's one of the fastest players on the field, so he has the ability to make things happen.
As a runner, he's totaled 454 yards on 44 carries over the course of his career with the Raiders and Vikings.
Speaking following minicamp on Wednesday, Patterson said he'd do whatever the Patriots coaches ask him to.
"I mean, my film don't lie," Patterson said. "I can do whatever I put my mind to. That's something I've been blessed with from the man above since I was born."
Patterson figures to be the Patriots' main kick returner and could benefit from the new rules that should give returners more space to run. For his career, he's averaged over 30 yards per return.
"If they kick it to me, we might get more yards," Patterson said. "That's the game. Every year, they stop trying to kick it to me. It doesn't matter."
Given it's his first year in the system, he knows it's going to take some time to learn the offense, so he's taking it one day at a time.
"It's challenging," Patterson said. "Every offense. New England, Oakland, Minnesota, no matter where you are, it's going to be a challenging offense. ... There's always something you can learn."
