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Wallace has been telling anyone who will listen that Diggs reminds him of Antonio Brown, Wallace's former teammate with the Steelers and a sixth-round pick who has blossomed into one of the best receivers in the league. After Diggs' seven-catch, 129-yard day against the Chiefs, maybe some of those skeptics will start to take him seriously.
While Patterson is a bigger, stronger prospect, he played only one season at Tennessee before entering the draft and has had difficulty mastering the nuances of route-running and the coverage reading demanded of receivers. That has left him relegated to kick returns and the spot duty on a run play here or there.
"I work really hard. Walk-throughs, I take everything seriously," Diggs said. "I take my craft seriously."
And it didn't go to Kyle Rudolph,Wholesale Jerseys Online, the talented tight end who signed a lucrative contract extension last year.
"He's one of the (most) polished receivers I've ever seen come in as a rookie,NFL Jerseys China," Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said.
While most of his teammates take it easy in those Saturday morning jogging sessions, Diggs works up a sweat because he is "not really good at going through walk-throughs. I have to go at a good pace because how you practice that's how you play."
Diggs got his chance before the bye when Charles Johnson missed the Denver game with a rib injury. His first career game included six catches for 87 yards and quickly earned him Bridgewater's trust.
"I mean we all knew he could ball the whole time," Wallace said. "It was never a question of that, it was just a matter of opportunity. Every time I do an interview I say I think we have guys that can play on any roster in the NFL. So I think he's a great player. Humble kid, and he's going to keep working, I know it."
"It's a walk-through and he's going out there like it's a real practice,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys," Munnerlyn said. "We're like, 'Man slow it down a little bit.' He's a young guy eager to be great. That's the thing with him. He wants it so bad. That's what makes him special."
It didn't go toward Cordarrelle Patterson,Cheap NFL Jerseys, the first-round pick of three years ago who hasn't been able to break into the regular receiving rotation.
Bridgewater moved in the pocket to buy some time,Cheap Air Max 95, keeping his head downfield in hopes that someone could get open. As he let the throw go, it sailed not toward Mike Wallace, the big-money veteran receiver acquired from Miami in the offseason.
"I love the fire that he has," Peterson said. "Walk-through? It's not a walk-through for him. He's out there sweating, and it goes to show when he gets out here and he plays."
The play of the day set up a field goal and helped stave off some of the momentum the Chiefs were building, allowing the Vikings (3-2) to hold on for a much-needed 16-10 victory.
Diggs was tutored by former NFL standout Keenan McCardell at Maryland, and he has shown a precision rare for rookie receivers. Nineteen of them were drafted ahead of Diggs in May, but despite playing in just two games this season, he is third among all rookies in yards receiving and first in yards per reception (16.6).
It went straight toward Stephon Diggs, a rookie drafted in the fifth round who struggled with injuries at Maryland and has played in two games in his NFL career. Diggs was the one who found the hole in the defense, came back toward Bridgewater and made the catch for a 30-yard gain.
All of Diggs' teammates point to his work ethic in practice as the main reason for his quick ascension.
"He's a game changer, to me,Cheap NFL Jerseys China," Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said. "He's a talented young guy. He plays extremely hard, and you're going to get his best effort."
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — On the biggest play of the game, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater dropped back to pass in the fourth quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs pass rush breathing down his neck on a third-and-15. |
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