Frazier calls Patterson playing time "major oversight"

I tweeted on Monday that Vikings coach Leslie Frazier didn't appear too happy about rookie Cordarrelle Patterson's playing time on Sunday.

Frazier said that issue would be "rectified" when asked why Patterson played only six snaps one week after being on the field for only five offensive plays in the opener against Detroit.

Well, Frazier elaborated on that subject with Mark Craig for his story today. Frazier called Patterson's lack of playing time an "major oversight" by the coaching staff.

"He should be out there," Frazier said. "We've just got to get him on the field."

This was not a good performance by the coaching staff in the 31-30 loss to the Bears. Frazier repeatedly criticized himself for not managing the late-game defensive series better. He admitted he probably should have called a timeout as the Bears drove for the winning touchdown.

The VIkings had at least two communication breakdowns in the final four plays that resulted in a 23-yard pass play and the game-winning touchdown.

And Frazier's comments on Patterson do not reflect well on offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and his staff. It makes no sense why Patterson, in two games, has played fewer offensive plays than Joe Webb.

Christian Ballard update: Backup defensive tackle Christian Ballard left the team during training camp for unknown reasons. Former Vikings beat writer Tom Pelissero of USA Today tracked down Ballard in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas.

Ballard told Pelissero that he left because he "wasn't living right."

Frazier said during camp that the team has moved on and isn't anticipating Ballard returning this season. If Ballard does decide to play football again, the Vikings control his rights for two seasons.

Ballard also commented on a Yahoo! Sports link to the USA Today story. He first tweeted "check out the comment I left for you guys" and this comment appeared as one of nearly 2,000 on the story ...

Hello everyone my name is Christian Ballard i was born on a navy base in Virginia January 3rd 1989 that is where my mom and dad meet they were both enlisted. i lived there for two years before moving to marietta Ga growing up i never had much my mom and dad fought tooth and nail to get by i never wore the cool sneakers or had cool clothes my dad got a job for the coast guard so we move to lawrence ks life was better but my parents were in so much debt it was insane as i sooner found out they did what they could so i could go to school had a decent car and lived in a decent house they did so much for me that i knew i had to re pay them back someday