New rule negates Patterson’s big skill
Cordarrelle Patterson won’t have a chance to show off the skill that helped get him to the Pro Bowl.
The Minnesota Vikings rookie led the league with 10 kickoff returns of more than 40 yards and took back two for touchdowns.
One problem: Kickoffs have been taken out of the Pro Bowl this year, one of several rules changes implemented for today’s game.
"That hurt my heart when they told me that," said Patterson, who averaged 32.4 yards on his 43 returns this season. "They took the return game out and it hurt me down to my heart because that’s my job. I love doing that."
Patterson is listed on the Team Sanders roster as a punt returner, although he didn’t have a punt return this season. He may get a chance to make plays as a receiver after catching 45 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns in his first year out of Tennessee.
"Wherever they put me, I have to make an opportunity out of that," Patterson said.
The coin toss in today’s game will determine which team has possession first. The ball will change possession after each quarter and will be placed at the 25-yard line at the start of each quarter and after scoring plays. A two-minute warning will be added to the first and third quarters. Cornerbacks can now play press coverage, and zone defenses are permitted, but blitzing is still not allowed.
Anderson bids aloha
Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, is overseeing his final Pro Bowl before leaving for the college ranks.
Anderson takes over as athletic director at Arizona State following the Super Bowl in New York next Sunday. But it won’t be long before he’s working with the NFL again. Next year’s Super Bowl will be held in Arizona, and the AFC representative will practice at ASU.
"I told my colleagues and the commissioner I’m not going that far away because before you know it, you’ll be in my back yard," Anderson said.
Anderson has helped manage the NFL’s operations since 2006 and was part of the implementation of this year’s unconferenced format for the Pro Bowl.
"I think it’s exciting, so I’m leaving with great hopes that this will be a format that leads us to a more competitive game, a better overall experience for the fans and leads us to be able to come back to Hawaii, even if on a rotational basis, and do it here because there’s no better place," Anderson said.
Slater a frequent visitor
New England’s Matthew Slater is back for this third Pro Bowl as a special teams pick, giving his family a total of 10 appearances.
His father, former Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater, was named to seven Pro Bowls, including a run from 1985 to 1990, and trips to Hawaii became a regular part of growing up for Matthew.
"I came to quite a few with dad, definitely a lot of special memories here," Slater said. "I know how much it means to receive this honor. I know how hard you have to work for it. I really feel blessed and I know it means a lot to my dad for me to be here. I think it maybe means more to him than him actually coming here."
Big year for Lacy
With a huge 2013 behind him, Packers running back Eddie Lacy is off to a fine start to 2014.
Lacy closed his college career last January by being named offensive MVP of the BCS championship game as Alabama won a second consecutive national title. He declared for the NFL Draft and was selected in the second round. He then led Green Bay with 1,178 yards and 11 TDs, ending the season as one of four rookies in the Pro Bowl.
"It’s really been a roller coaster," Lacy said. "I just came in this season just hoping to help out. … I always wanted to make sure whenever I got my chance I made the most of it. To keep that mind-set and end up at the Pro Bowl, I thank God for it."
