Cordarrelle Patterson Feels 'Forgotten' by Beleaguered Atlanta Falcons Coach Arthur Smith
Most of the dissatisfaction over how Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is utilizing his supposedly dynamic offensive weapons - or, critics would correct, not utilizing them - has focused on first-round draft picks Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
The critics are not wrong. The dissatisfaction is not misplaced. And now Cordarrelle Patterson would like a word.
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson and coach Arthur Smith
ClutchPoints
“Let’s not forget!!!! I really do this (bleep)!!!" wrote Patterson on social media this week, addressing the post to "Whoever Needs to See This!!"
The post is accompanied by a video of Patterson playing running back against the Bucs and turning in a run that shows both speed and power ...
The sort of stuff that the Falcons, who are just 4-5 and in danger of blowing a primo chance to win a mediocre NFC South, could use right about now.
Beleaguered coach Arthur Smith is catching heck from all corners right now; if there isn't turmoil in the locker room - and to their credit, Robinson and company have largely avoided being squeaky wheels (so far) - there is certainly tumult among Falcons watchers as the Atlanta offense seems plodding ... despite its weaponry.
Smith has fired back at his critics, questioning their credentials and their motives, an unfortunate stance that included his unfortunate rip of NFL analyst Kurt Warner.
A typical Smith response to criticism from outsiders?
"Are you talking about sensationalized things? I understand outrage and drama sells," Smith said recently. "If you really understand how things really operate, there's nothing there."
And another, in which he called criticism "toxic groupthink. I think a lot of people don't watch the film. (They think) it's boring. ... You see it all around the world. Things get spun out of control. Sounds smart if somebody says it, maybe they know what they're talking about, and there it goes. It's a groupthink."
Maybe. But what if it's not "toxic and ignorant media" or "outraged and dramatic fans"? What if the person suggesting that the Falcons - who hired third-year coach Smith in part to inject some juice into this offense - is Cordarrelle Patterson?
