We usually investigate QBs however today we are going to take a look at a WR. The NFL PAM categorizes Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson as a 12GT-ML.
The NFL combine report on Patterson finished with this summary:
NFL Comparison Demaryius Thomas
The Bottom Line: He may be considered raw with his ability to handle physical coverage, but Patterson is one of the more naturally talented pass catchers to come along in the last few years. He only has one year of tape against FBS level of competition, but from the first game Patterson showed his versatility by making plays from a variety of alignments. If the Vol can start using his hands to release off the line and tighten up some technique issues, he should be one of this class’ top playmakers. He should be a first-round selection and could be the first receiver off the board.
From: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/cordarrelle-patterson?id=2540145
We have a very different view on Patterson. The NFL Personality Analysis Method flashed a red flag on him. He has a similar problem to RG3 – that of being uncoachable. Patterson adds to it by never owning his mistakes. Even though Cordarrelle has many other natural talents, this personality doesn’t translate well to the NFL. They are a law unto themselves. In other words, team laws and rules don’t apply to these people. How this practically plays out is when he’s asked to run a curl route he will instead run a go route. You ask him to block and he runs a slant. When the coach asks him about it, Cordarrelle doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong. Physical talent is only part of the picture for successful NFL player and personality (which is the mental ability to process the game) is perhaps more important. It doesn’t matter that Cordarrelle ran a 4.42 and is a physical beast. This personality has never translated well to the NFL nor experienced extended NFL success.
The NFL PAM would have steered the Vikings scouting department away from Patterson. Cordarrelle and RG3 are both examples that a player needs the right physical/football skills and the right personality traits to process the game. Sometimes the turn of a person’s career (and life) can be traced to the moment of humility and accepting that he’s wrong. Cordarrelle, it isn’t everyone else who’s at fault, you need to own it but he probably doesn’t care enough – remember rules and laws are for everyone else.
Surprisingly there’s a QB with the same personality who experienced a short term of NFL success was Tommy Kramer who also played for the Vikings.
If you are wondering about the NFL Combine report which compared Cordarrelle to Demaryius Thomas, Thomas and Patterson are very different people. The NFL analysis, primarily focusing physical traits, is way off in linking the potential career outcomes of those two players.
Outside of football, Cordarrelle Patterson has a high temperament correlation with Apple founder Steve Jobs. These talented characters are difficult to work with.
Beyond any doubt there’s more to an NFL player than bench press and 40-yd dash times. Certain NFL teams have figured this out (Patriots come to mind) and other teams will get a leg up on them by using the NFL PAM to find the best players for their team.