Today On Rocky Top: Cordarrelle Patterson Picks Up Honor & More

Oct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

From the New York Times

"No quarterback has led the league in passing yards and won the Super Bowl in the same season.If there were a most valuable player at midseason, Peyton Manning would be the clear winner, but the real goal is his second Super Bowl title.Manning leads the league in passer rating, his Broncos are 7-1, and he runs the offense that just set the record for points scored through eight games. He not only has the most passing yards and passing touchdowns in the N.F.L., but he is also on a pace to break the single-season record in both categories. Manning is the only player to win the Associated Press Most Valuable Player trophy four times, and all signs point to his picking up a fifth trophy in a few months."

From College Spun

"All things considered, Tennessee is having a pretty solid season in 2013. It’s the first year of the Butch Jones era, and the Volunteers entered the season on a three-year streak of sub-.500 records. Tennessee is currently 4-4 (and sports a win over a South Carolina team that was No. 11 at the time), which isn’t terrible when you consider the absolutely brutal schedule the team has played."

From NBC Sports

"You can’t make a play longer than the oneCordarrelle Patterson made Sunday night, so it figures he’d get recognized.The Vikings rookie return man was named NFC special teams player of the week, after his 109-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Packers.Patterson leads the league in kickoff return yards (703) and touchdowns (two), with a ridiculous 39.1 yards per attempt average."

From the Times Free Press

"Brian Randolph now has worn a green noncontact jersey in Tennessee’s football practices for more than two months.The Volunteers’ valuable safety still is playing through some pain.Randolph missed a couple of defensive series in Tennessee’s loss at top-ranked Alabama last week before returning, and though he was limited in the open part of Tuesday’s practice, the Vols feel he’ll be ready to play through the shoulder injury Saturday night at 10th-ranked Missouri."