The Facts: Mike Wallace's departure didn't leave HC Mike Zimmer feeling like the Vikings needed to replace him with another veteran receiver. "We had a receiver here that was making a lot of money that really didn't do what we needed to do," Zimmer said. "So I don't know that it's a necessity to go out and sign another wide receiver. We've got to get better with the guys we've got, and we've got to fix other areas that can allow these receivers to be more effective in the games."

Diehards Line:That, of course, doesn't mean the Vikings won't take a receiver in the draft in April. But a thin free-agent crop didn't offer any obvious upgrades, and Zimmer made the point several times on Wednesday that the passing game can improve simply with better protection for Teddy Bridgewater. It also didn't sound as though the coach had given up on Charles Johnson, and the Vikings know they still could get a boost if Patterson figures things out as a receiver. "If he wants to be something other than just a returner, this is the year he has to do it. If he wants to be a NFL wide receiver, this is his time," Zimmer said. ... Patterson has been working with route-running coach Steve Calhoun in California, and said last month he knows his fourth NFL season could be a make-or-break year.