Bill Belichick to Cordarrelle Patterson: 'We’re going to make you the player you should be'

New Patriot Cordarrelle Patterson sounds like a guy ready to help the New England offense.

Patterson, who was dealt to the Patriots earlier this offseason, spoke with the NFL Network Wednesday morning about his move from Oakland to New England, and how it was an “exciting feeling” to join a team that’s in the mix for a Super Bowl every year.

“That was my first time ever getting traded, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Patterson said. “Everybody in the Patriots’ organization started reaching out. I got the call from Bill (Belichick) … it was crazy.”

One thing that was interesting — Patterson related a story about his first visit to Gillette Stadium and a meeting with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The New England receiver position is in a state of flux this offseason with a lot of different possibilities. Patterson is statistically one of the best kick returners in the league, so the possibility exists he might be more of a special teamer than a wideout.

But by the sound of Patterson's interview, that might not necessarily be the case.



While it doesn't mean he wouldn't be returning kicks, Patterson's conversation with McDaniels sounds like it might be a precursor to Patterson having more of a role in the passing game than some have initially anticipated -- or at least how he's been largely used to this point in his career.

“I went up (to Foxborough) the day I got traded, and I talked to Josh,” he recalled. “Basically, it was what am I good at and how can I help the offense. I just basically told them, ‘Just put me on the field. It’ll take care of itself.’

“That’s something I’ve been doing my whole life — making plays. (I’m) a playmaker. I don’t like it when someone tried to label me this and that. I just go out there and do what I’m supposed to do and have fun doing it.

Along those same lines, Patterson said the message from Belichick shortly after he was traded was a simple one: “‘I don’t know what you’ve done been through in the past, but basically, we get the job done here. We’re going to make you the player you should be.’”