Report: Brandon Lloyd's 'erratic behavior proved tiresome', may lead to release

[Rob0729]

I am disapointed they let Lloyd go, but I am not shocked. I think he was better last year than many gave him credit for, but his age and bonus did make him a potential target for release.

I think the Pats are looking to be out for a good WR in free agency. Maybe they promised Brady that they would resign Welker and go after a more marquee free agent WR.

Most free agent deals are hammered out at the Combine (yeah, teams don't talk to agents during the Combine because that would be tampering). Maybe the Pats already have a deal in principle with one of the pending free agents.

 

[Nunchucks]

911 yards a bust? Maybe a disapointment, but certainly not a bust.

I should have said "every WR other than Lloyd"

 

[BradyManny]

If this is the case, the Patriots have to re-sign Welker, be players in FA at the WR position, and in the draft no later than round 2. Lloyd was very productive for us. I have to think that the behavior was really bad in this instance for the Pats to cut a guy that just turned in a 900+ yard season when the position is so thin.

Agree.

He was awfully close to being the guy they needed, but just a little off. They must have confidence they can replace him to move on from him. Or as you say, he's a bigger pain to deal with than we thought.

 

[hypotherion]

Can we change the title? He hasn't actually been released yet.

 

[jmt57]

Report: Brandon Lloyd Not Expected Back in 2013 Due to ‘Erratic Behavior’ | New England Patriots | NESN.com

Not sure what "erratic behavior." McD is the one who brought him here. Another 4.9 million in cap savings. The pats are close to 30 million under the cap if i am not mistaken.

This is a re-report, or a report based on the work of another reporter. Let's see what is written in the original article (and give credit where credit is due, in this case to Greg Bedard).

Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy - Patriots - Boston.com

Odds are against Brandon Lloyd’s $3 million option bonus being picked up. There is still a lot of internal debate about what to do considering the Patriots literally couldn’t line up tomorrow at receiver. Lloyd’s erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome, according to a league and team source. If they cut Lloyd, that would save the Patriots $4.9 million against the cap this season, though there will be $2 million in dead money that can be spread out over two years. The team was smart to build in protection with Lloyd.​

Although this is the first that I have heard of any of this type of talk, I also have no reason to doubt Bedard or his sources. Thus far no further explanation, amplification or clarification from him on twitter.

 

[ivanvamp]

If this is the case, the Patriots have to re-sign Welker, be players in FA at the WR position, and in the draft no later than round 2. Lloyd was very productive for us. I have to think that the behavior was really bad in this instance for the Pats to cut a guy that just turned in a 900+ yard season when the position is so thin.

Not only all that, but he was also very affordable. So they'd be giving up a pretty friendly contract as well.

 

[Kontradiction]

You take Thomas regardless of whether you need a deep threat, because he's a much better receiver.

Most sane people would. But never underestimate the amount of unbridled love Wallace gets on this forum. There is a large contingent of people that think he is the exact kind of receiver the Pats need. The Pats (and most teams for that matter) really need a receiver in Thomas' mold. He can threaten literally every level, including deep. With Gronk and this type of receiver, the red zone offense is close to unstoppable. If Gronk goes out with injury for any period of time again, the red zone offense doesn't lose too much.

 

[Kontradiction]

Agree.

He was awfully close to being the guy they needed, but just a little off. They must have confidence they can replace him to move on from him. Or as you say, he's a bigger pain to deal with than we thought.

I also think Belichick is salivating at the draft. This is actually a very deep one for the top two positions of need. There will be plenty of WR's available in round 2 that can come in and actually contribute immediately. Because of this, the Combine has been captivating, must-watch television.

 

[jmt57]

Can we change the title? He hasn't actually been released yet.

Not a bad idea.

I'll change it from Report: Brandon Lloyd Out in NE to a line from the original column - Brandon Lloyd's erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome or something like that, whatever fits.

 

[BelichickFan]

Some more detail from Bedard on Lloyd on his radio interview :

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[Big-T]

Re: Report: Brandon Lloyd Out in NE

Re-sign Welker & Edelman

Add: Avery, Henderson & a big splash with Bowe?

Avery & Henderson are decent and should be cheap. There's also the deep rookie class at WR too.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Report: Brandon Lloyd Out in NE

Re-sign Welker & Edelman

Add: Avery, Henderson & a big splash with Bowe?

Avery & Henderson are decent and should be cheap. There's also the deep rookie class at WR too.

Bowe is rumored to be working on an extension and isn't worth the cost.

Henderson pretty much blows. Avery would be a decent add.

 

[Big-T]

Re: Report: Brandon Lloyd Out in NE

Henderson pretty much blows.

Huh, so he does...must have got him mixed up with another Saints WR

 

[Rob0729]

This is a re-report, or a report based on the work of another reporter. Let's see what is written in the original article (and give credit where credit is due, in this case to Greg Bedard).

Patriots offseason primer: After Ravens loss, expect a frenzy - Patriots - Boston.com

Odds are against Brandon Lloyd’s $3 million option bonus being picked up. There is still a lot of internal debate about what to do considering the Patriots literally couldn’t line up tomorrow at receiver. Lloyd’s erratic behavior in the locker room and on the practice field proved tiresome, according to a league and team source. If they cut Lloyd, that would save the Patriots $4.9 million against the cap this season, though there will be $2 million in dead money that can be spread out over two years. The team was smart to build in protection with Lloyd.​

Although this is the first that I have heard of any of this type of talk, I also have no reason to doubt Bedard or his sources. Thus far no further explanation, amplification or clarification from him on twitter.

If Lloyd is truly cut, that may be the reason over his production on the field. He performed well enough to give the bonus to if he is a good soldier. But if he was a locker room lawyer and dogging it on the field, his production isn't good enough to keep.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

good fix on the thread title

 

[JackBauer]

Most sane people would. But never underestimate the amount of unbridled love Wallace gets on this forum. There is a large contingent of people that think he is the exact kind of receiver the Pats need. The Pats (and most teams for that matter) really need a receiver in Thomas' mold. He can threaten literally every level, including deep. With Gronk and this type of receiver, the red zone offense is close to unstoppable. If Gronk goes out with injury for any period of time again, the red zone offense doesn't lose too much.

I agree. Thomas is pretty much the archetype of what the Patriots need.

 

[BradyManny]

I also think Belichick is salivating at the draft. This is actually a very deep one for the top two positions of need. There will be plenty of WR's available in round 2 that can come in and actually contribute immediately. Because of this, the Combine has been captivating, must-watch television.

Good point. Heck, I haven't even been paying attention to the draft (believe it or not, this is me trying not to care about football), but can't help but notice WR seems stacked.

I would like to think Bill can work out getting more picks in that round 2 area. We don't have a lot of chips, but I'm sure he'll do what he can.

And at the same time, we know he'll get his typical stopgap guys so the position is at least adequately filled. But even with the Brady extension - whose cap savings I expect largely to go to signing Welker - I agree it's probably our best bet to swing for the fences at WR in the draft, rather than anybody through free agency.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Report: Brandon Lloyd Out in NE

I always try to take what media claims with a grain of salt. But last year the PFW crew and others noted he was a real dink to Karen Guregian, something they felt underscored what they had heard about his psyche overall. He was said to be bi-polarish. A guy who could be charming one minute and just the opposite the next and for no obvious reason. Difficult to work with. Josh knew who he was but had been able to work with him better than any coach. When Josh had little choice to because he was clawing for production in Denver and St. Louis to save his life (career). Here not so much. And here WR's don't just answer to the OC, they answer to Tom and Bill.

Bedard also mentioned more than once that they had talked to Lloyd about his style... At first his effort to remain upright seemed to increase. Then it petered out again. I recall down the stretch (not sure in what game) seeing him again after a mis a connection with Tom jog back to the sideline with that not my bad look on his face and he was staring at Josh as if to get an acknowledgement and Josh literally would not make eye contact with him. Reminded me a bit of that time in 2009 when Randy was coming off the field after a drop and Bill was looking daggers at him like WTF was THAT? I knew then his days were numbered.

Everyone seemed to have to gather round and celebrate all 4 of Lloyd's TD's as if they were special... I think he suffered from that deadly combination of fragile/inflated ego. Any time a guy needs to be catered to in this offense there is a good chance he won't be back for an encore, unless of course he scores 23 TD's in the process.

When a seemingly talented player bounces around to 6 teams in a 10 year career there is usually a reason. Lloyd's own rationale is no one ever knew how to use him 'til he hooked up with Josh. Perhaps it wasn't for lack of trying... I said I'd squeeze him into restructuring that option bonus, but I wasn't sure how he'd react... They may think they already know. And if they are planning on bringing in any youngsters or a veteran FA who might not be their version of the ideal teamates, might prefer to bring them into a situation where excuses aren't an option out of the gate and there is no sympathetic presence to grouse with.

I'll say again I don't always agree with Bedard's analysis or opinion, but I do believe he has cultivated some decent sources either on the staff or in the FO. And those kind of sources seldom divulge information in a vacuum. This could easily be a message the team is sending as they get close to decision time. And given the current state of the roster that they are even grappling over that decision speaks volumes.

 

[Froob]

Ugh please let this not be true. Lloyd is good value for what he provides.

 

[Joey007]

We can go out and get someone in FA, but I think our answer for a Thomas type guy will have to be in the draft. Terrence Williams, Robert Woods, and justin Hunter will be availible for us at 29. Who I really want is Keenan Allen. He might fall to 29, but odds are he will be picked slightly ahead. I want this guy, badly.