Special deliveries: Joe Webb, Cordarrelle Patterson eyeing significant roles

Mike Priefer had a lot to be proud of in 2012. For starters, the Vikings' special teams coordinator refined Blair Walsh's technique and helped turn the rookie kicker into an instant Pro Bowler.

On top of that, under Priefer's direction, the Vikings had a pair of solid coverage units, ranking ninth in the NFL against punt returns (8.3 yards per return) and seventh in total kickoff return yards allowed (795). At one stretch, opponents went 10 consecutive games without returning a kickoff past the 25.

Now heading into 2013, Priefer has a supply of new weapons to experiment with. And as always, he is overflowing with enthusiasm as he pieces things together and prepares for this week's three-day mini-camp at Winter Park.

Recently, we had the opportunity to pick Priefer's brain on several new additions to his unit.

Cordarrelle Patterson

What's so special?: The Vikings feel Patterson can quickly become a barrel of dynamite on kickoff returns, which was a significant factor in their decision to trade back into the first round of the draft to nab him. And it's no surprise that both General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Leslie Frazier have emphasized that Patterson's biggest 2013 contributions will likely come as a return man.

So what stands out about the 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver? Said Priefer: "Size. Strength. Speed. The ability to change direction. For a man that big to be able to change direction like he does is pretty special and unique."

"Kickoff return-wise, he has all the abilities and tools right now to be a factor," Priefer said. "A major factor."

You should know: While Patterson is probably the front-runner to be the opening day kick returner, the Vikings are taking a wait-and-see approach on punts. At rookie mini-camp in May, Patterson showed enough deficiencies to give the coaches pause. Most notably, Priefer has identified fundamental flaws in how Patterson uses his hands and positions his elbows as he fields punts.

Those areas will take on even greater focus in training camp, when (presumably) the team will have greater opportunity to be outdoors than it had during OTAs.

"We just have to break the bad habits," Priefer said. "Like anything else in football, you start by breaking the bad habits and then building up new good habits to supply a good foundation."

Extra point: In nine games last season, Percy Harvin averaged 35.9 yards per kickoff return and opened a Week 4 win in Detroit with a 105-yard score. Priefer sees similarities in Harvin's ability to change direction at top speed and Patterson's. But he doesn't want the comparisons getting too big.

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Jeff Locke

What's so special?: Locke's leg strength is solid. But the rookie punter's quest to learn is off the charts. And that's an instant way to win the always-exuberant Priefer over. During the pre-draft process, Priefer and Locke first met at the Senior Bowl in January, then spent significant time together a month later at the combine and built even more camaraderie during a one-on-one on-campus visit and workout at UCLA in March.

"I always talk a lot about understanding your craft and having the ability to talk intelligently about it and make changes and make corrections," Priefer said. "Jeff has all that. He has all the intangibles I was looking for."

You should know: Priefer spent significant time picking the brain of UCLA special teams coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who spent 10 years with the 49ers as a special teams contributor and was a special teams assistant with the Seahawks for two years. UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr., a former head coach with the Seahawks and Falcons was also a valuable sounding board in the evaluation of Locke. Then, Priefer zoned in on Locke's approach, interested in part in seeing "how he rebounds from those punts that are less than perfect."

"He has an NFL-ready mental approach to the game," Priefer said. "He's already a pro in that regard. We have to wait and see what he delivers as a punter."

Extra point: Why, after eight solid seasons, was it time to let Chris Kluwe go? Priefer said he had met with Kluwe in both the 2011 and 2012 offseasons calling for greater consistency and productivity. At the end of last season, the special teams coach didn't feel Kluwe had met the demands.

"We didn't get the results we wanted. So we made a change," Priefer said. "Nothing against Chris personally. That's the NFL. You're measured on productivity. If I don't do my job there, I'm going to lose it. And in order for me to do my job better, I felt we needed an upgrade at that position."

Priefer also felt an urge to plan ahead with the 2014 and 2015 seasons removing eight indoor contests from the Vikings' schedule as they move home games to TCF Bank at the University of Minnesota.

"There has been a portrayal in the media that Chris and I were enemies," Priefer said. "In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. I respect the guy. I think he's done great things in this league. And I respect him for his views and opinions just as he think he respects me for mine. We just needed a change."

Joe Webb

What's so special?: Webb's freakish athleticism has always had the attention of Vikings' coaches and teammates. Now that Webb is out of the quarterbacks' room and attempting a transition to receiver, Priefer is downright giddy to have access to the eager 6-foot-4, 220-pound playmaker.

"You look at his skill set and you say, 'Ya know what? We can do some things with this guy,'" Priefer said. "So for me, I get fired up about having a guy like him playing special teams."

You should know: So just how will Priefer utilize Webb?

"You take an athlete like Joe," the coordinator said, "and my creative juices start flowing immediately."

Priefer thinks Webb would, impressed with his size and strength. But he also knows there's a place for receiver gunners who are skilled at getting upfield to force fair catches.

"Some of them don't ever make a tackle," Priefer said. "But they're so good at what they do that if the punt is where you want it and it has good hang time and you don't outkick the coverage, that gunner is standing there a few feet from that returner and now there's no choice."