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Patten: A New Core Redskin


David Patten By Rich Tandler Editor-in-Chief
Date: Jun 20, 2005

It seemed as though the label of being a “core Redskin” became a kiss of death for a while. The phrase was used to describe Fred Smoot and Antonio Pierce almost up until they signed their free-agent tickets out of town. Fear not, however, it appears that a new one has arrived in the person of wide receiver David Patten.

There’s plenty to like about Patten, who was a member of each of New England’s three Super Bowl champs in the past four years. He’s the small (5-10, 190), fast type of receiver but there is an asset he values over his speed. “When we put the pads on and guys start putting their hands on you then the toughness shows up,” Patten said. “That’s the bottom line, that’s what this game is all about. Forget about the speed, forget about quickness, if you’re not tough you’re not going to be any good.”

The Redskins gave Patten a $3.5 million signing bonus as part of a five-year, $13 million contract last March. He has every indication of making sure that the Redskins don’t regret the signing. “I’ve won a few Super Bowls, but the so-called experts out there, they still don’t believe. I have to come out and prove my worth,” said Patten. “These guys (the Redskins) have made a commitment to me and my biggest concern is that I don’t want to come in here and let them down.”

There are those out there who think that their “worth” has been proven when they cash the check for that big singing bonus. Evidently Patten is not in that group. “I got down on myself today, I didn’t have a really good day. I can’t afford any more of those. They expect me to be a difference maker and I can’t afford to let them down any day.”

Let the record note that, at least while the media was present, Patten had nothing but an exemplary performance at that day’s practice session.

So he’s tough, committed and plays like he has something to prove. But wait, there’s more to this core Redskin.

His main competition for the starting job opposite Santana Moss is third-year receiver Taylor Jacobs. So what does this nine-year veteran do to stave off the competition from the younger, very talented player? He gives him encouragement and sings his praises, of course.

“He has all the tools. I was just talking to him yesterday I asked him, ‘Why are you not a starter?’ He has everything he needs to do that. He’s got to believe in that and then do it on the field. He has so much potential and the best is yet to come for him. . . He has to prototypical size, the speed, he’s strong, he runs great routes in practice.”

But why would he do that? Said Patten, “I’ve been brought in here to be a leader and to lead these young guys and encourage them and bring out the best in them.” Ah, so more of that doing what you’re paid to do thing.

Patten said that he has personal goals such as making the Pro Bowl, but he wants to do it within the framework of the team. “It’s not about one person,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll have four guys (catching the ball) like we did in New England. When you have multiple weapons, it’s tough to defend that. If you have one or two guys, teams come in and scheme those guys and that will hamper the offense. Hopefully, we can find four or five guys and on every play we can keep the defense honest.”

What does Patten want to do most of all? “I want to lead this team to the Super Bowl.”

With a few more core Redskins just like him, he just might do that.

Patten: A New Core Redskin - Patten said “It’s not about one person. Hopefully, we’ll have four guys (catching the ball) like we did in New England. When you have multiple weapons, it’s tough to defend that. If you have one or two guys, teams come in and scheme those guys and that will hamper the offense. Hopefully, we can find four or five guys and on every play we can keep the defense honest.”