Lloyd, who split his 2011 season between the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, is a big time talent on the outside and given his familiarity with recently returned Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels‘ system, he seems like a sure fit in Foxboro.
There is one seeminlgy minor caveat that could keep Lloyd away from the Patriots in the end, however. Lloyd is represented by Tom Condon of CAA Sports, a popular agent who has a rocky history with the Patriots’ organization.
In 2009, Condon told the Boston Herald that his firm “pretends there are only 31 franchises in the NFL now,” and he claimed that the Patriots “pretend we (CAA) don’t exist.”
This news doesn’t bode well for the Patriots chances at signing the 6-foot, 188-pound receiver but it also doesn’t mean that they are out of the running for his services.
Lloyd followed up a Pro Bowl year in 2010 with another solid season in 2011, 70 receptions for 966 yards and five touchdowns, finding most of his success in McDaniels’ offense after being traded to the Rams in Week 5.
In 11 games with St. Louis this year, Lloyd caught 51 passes for 683 yards and all five of his touchdowns. McDaniels was also Lloyd’s head coach in Denver in 2010, when the Illinois product caught 77 passes and led the league in receiving yards with 1,448. Needless to say, McDaniels has helped Lloyd become the receiver he is today.
The potential departure of wide receivers Deion Branch and Chad Ochocino from the Patriots’ roster will leave a large void in New England’s offense for Bill Belichick and McDaniels to fill this offseason.
The Patriots will certainly be looking for new toys to offer Tom Brady, epsecially to stretch the field on the outside. Along with some other big names expected to hit the open market, Lloyd is expected to at the very least be in the conversation in New England.
