SB Nation Boston - Brandon Lloyd Signing: New England Patriots Snag Talented Free Agent WR

Reunited: Brandon Lloyd, Josh McDaniels Reunion Should Benefit Patriots

2012-03-18T12:01:14Z

Brandon Lloyd's decision to sign with the New England Patriots shouldn't come as a surprise. Between an owner like Robert Kraft, a coach like Bill Belichick and a quarterback like Tom Brady, there's a lot to like about this franchise. But it wasn't Kraft, the Hoodie or Tom Terrific that lured Lloyd in (but they probably helped). It was Josh McDaniels.

It's no secret that Lloyd and McDaniels are rather close. The two were first paired together in 2009, when McDaniels was the head coach of the Denver Broncos and Lloyd was in his first season with the team. McDaniels was fired late in the 2010 season, but the two would be reunited in St. Louis, where Lloyd was traded to and McDaniels was an offensive coordinator.

When news broke that McDaniels was returning to the Patriots, where he served in various positions -- including offensive coordinator -- from 2001 through 2008, rumors of Lloyd joining the Pats soon followed. As it turned out, they were true.

Lloyd and McDaniels haven't exactly done a lot of winning together, but Lloyd performed very well for two of the three years they've been together. Lloyd only played in two games in his first season in Denver but truly blossomed the next year, catching 77 balls for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns, all career highs. McDaniels was fired after Week 13 that season, but Lloyd would remain in Denver through the first four games of the 2011 season before being traded.

Once again with McDaniels, now in St. Louis, Lloyd had another solid season with the Rams, reeling in 51 footballs for 683 yards and five scores. In total, Lloyd had 966 receiving yards and five touchdowns on the season. Clearly, Lloyd is very comfortable with McDaniels' offense.

Of course, that bodes very well for the Patriots for several reasons. McDaniels developed under Belichick during the height of the Patriots' success and was in control of the offense during the record-setting year in 2007, meaning he already knows the Patriots system for the most part. We already know that Lloyd likes McDaniels' system, which again was developed under Belichick, meaning that the two should assimilate well in New England.

Another factor to consider is that Lloyd had his success with quarterbacks like Kyle Orton and Sam Bradford. Now, he'll be catching passes from Brady, and it's pretty safe to say that Orton and Bradford aren't exactly on the same level. If Lloyd can put up such gaudy numbers with Orton chucking the rock, just image what he and Brady can do together.

Let's try not to jump ahead of ourselves, though. Why? Just because a player is happy to be with a particular coach or team doesn't guarantee success. Far from it. A good example is Chad Ochocinco, who before joining the Patriots at the start of last season was a well-known Belichick lover. Once the Pats finally acquired Ochocinco, the expectations were high. Alas, things didn't really work out (and that's an understatement). Ocho had 15 catches in the entire season.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL, but with the way things are shaping up now, it's hard for Patriots fans not to be encouraged about the offense. Brady will be Brady, and with Wes Welker back and Rob Gronkowski healthy (not to mention Aaron Hernandez in the fold and more time for Ochocinco to be worked in), adding Lloyd is the cherry on top.

We'll have to let things play out, but for now, McDaniels and Lloyd are welcomed additions.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

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Patriots Sign Brandon Lloyd For 3 Years, $12 Million, According To Report

2012-03-18T01:32:01Z

The contract details for the recently acquired Brandon Lloyd are in, and the former Broncos and Rams receiver will be paid $12 million over the next three years by the Patriots, according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora.

The immediate reaction to Lloyd's deal is that the Patriots got major value during a time when receivers were flying off of the open market for big money. Vincent Jackson was recently inked to a five-year, $55.55 million deal with Tampa Bay, and Detroit extended Calvin Johnson's contract with new guarantees of $50 million.

Lloyd may have been hurt by a lack of suitors, as many have assumed that he would end up in New England with his former offensive coordinator and head coach, Josh McDaniels. McDaniels has reassumed the post of offensive coordinator in New England, and has maximized Lloyd's skill set in the three seasons that he coached him.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

Brandon Lloyd Reportedly Signs With New England Patriots

2012-03-18T00:48:16Z

Brandon Lloyd, one of the top free agent wide receivers, has reportedly signed with the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England reports that he talked to Lloyd, who says he is ready to begin his career with the Patriots.

Lloyd is reunited with Josh McDaniels, the new offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots who coached Lloyd in Denver and again in St. Louis. Lloyd and McDaniels developed a strong relationship, leading to the belief the the Pats would have a hand up in signing Lloyd (as it turns out, they did).

Lloyd has 4,784 career receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in 112 career games. Lloyd began his career in 2003 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he would play for three seasons. Lloyd went on to play for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.