Michael Floyd takes to social media to show appreciation to Patriots

[PatsFanSince74]

And yet so many seem to want to crappie on him or kick him while he's down.

I haven't seen much of that out here. I see people who are delighted that he's on the Pats and people who are concerned that he get the help he needs. Sometimes, those are the same people.

 

[n1997y]

I haven't seen much of that out here. I see people who are delighted that he's on the Pats and people who are concerned that he get the help he needs. Sometimes, those are the same people.

There have been those that were really harsh about not wanting him on the Pats. They seem to be quiet now that he is showing what he can do.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The media's whining is a direct result of their Hatriotism. If, say, the Ratbirds had picked him up, or the Donkeys, there would have been ZERO controversy.

Oh, he may have been too much of a model citizen for them...DUI? Lame, by comparison...

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The Pats have retired seven numbers: Cappalletti (20), Haynes (40), Nelson (57), Hannah (73), Armstrong (78), Hunt (79), Dee (89). So, yeah, it's hard to imagine that eventually #4, Brewski, Rodney and a few others from this era shouldn't be retired as well...along with #12, of course (where's Andre Tippett on that list, BTW?).

The Cowboys have never retired any player's numbers, maybe because they would have had to retire half the Roster back in the days of Staubach and Aikman and would be putting triple digits on players' backs by now. And a lot of Cowboy numbers have passed from one great to another: #88 (Pearson, Irvin, Dez Bryant) or #22 (Bob Hayes, Emmitt Smith). But I don't think anyone will be wearing #8 (Staubach) or #12 (Aikman) for a long time. What's wrong with doing it that way?

If I step back, as much as I hate to credit anything to the Cowboys organization, I kind of think they have it right. If you have a great franchise, why not pass numbers from a great player to another player? If you really believe in "Do your job," then the number comes with the job. It's up to you to make of it what you will. Maybe wait a few years (in the case of Staubach, it's been almost 40 years and a quarter of a century for Aikman), but let another player try to step into the shoes of greatness.

And, seriously, does Brady's number really have to be retired to remind us of his greatness? I think that's what Canton or the Patriots Hall of Fame are for.

Just read an article from six years ago by someone named Joe Gill, saying that Bledsoe's number should be retired. God. Bledsoe is officially the most overrated athlete in the history of the Northeastern United States of America, maybe greater. Julian Edelman, Shawn McCarthy, Tony Eason, **** Shiner, Joe Kapp and Butch Songin are all FAR more worthy and deserving of such an honor.

 

[PlainOldEd]

Just read an article from six years ago by someone named Joe Gill, saying that Bledsoe's number should be retired. God. Bledsoe is officially the most overrated athlete in the history of the Northeastern United States of America, maybe greater. Julian Edelman, Shawn McCarthy, Tony Eason, **** Shiner, Joe Kapp and Butch Songin are all FAR more worthy and deserving of such an honor.

Tony Eason?
Did Drew sleep with your wife or some other heinous crime?

 

[billikens]

Two things: First, when everyone mentions the two sensational plays of Floyd (incredible effort on touchdown and devastating block on Edelman's touchdown), few mention the toe-tapping catch he made on the sideline for (I believe) a first down. That's an experienced receiver who makes that play. He showed a balanced, solid game as receiver in those three plays and an awareness that bodes well for the weeks ahead.

Second, as to his substance abuse problem, I have a lot of empathy. I am hopeful that the Kraft family is supportive, and maybe in this positive environment and obviously his and the team's success since he's been on it will help him work through his problems. It is a bummer, no doubt, but not a reflection of his personal character or the obvious talents he brings to the gridiron. My hope is that his positive experience with the team helps in his recovery and vice-versa.

My overall impressions are that in a very short period of time he has not only shown some quick learning of and dedication to the playbook, but the ability to get open, make plays and the extra effort (that block!) that shows his value to the team immediately. To have such a big, physical and talented player like him available to Brady at this point of the season is a gift. It really adds depth to the receiver corps (who are also getting Amendola and Mitchell back), offense as a whole and the momentum the Pats seem to be building entering the playoffs.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

If he ends up finishing up just like the last game he'll wind up with 12 catches and 160 yds. Hardly 10MM/yr numbers. However they would be great for us.

For whatever reason, he f*cked away his big money chances in his contract year with is sub par play. Then he CRUSHED them with the DUI. If he doesn't understand the opportunity the Pats are proposing him and is trying to get the last dollar out there, then I don't want him. He's doomed.

What I'm offering is more than genous I think. The Pats are giving him a do over of this season, and his DUI is the reason he won't get the full $7MM until he earns it. That's the price of his own actions. If he is as good as he thinks he is, he has every reason to believe he will make the full $7MM and have the opportunity to go after the really big money (if that what he wants), but from a position of strength and the Patriots seal of approval.... and maybe a couple of superbowl rings besides

I think you're spot on.
MF's actions have and will have consequence. Those actions, and the negative media baggage that now comes with it, and given the impending legal trouble and suspension, makes it unlikely he can go get a multi year optimal dollar contract even from the dimwit Jets.
It appears the smartest thing MF can do is get the best one year he can get from the Patriots (only the Patriots), serve his penalties with sufficient humility, and on his return use the professional-winning-do your job or be cut aura of the Patriots to reestablish his high dollar production. This sets up 2017 (he'll be a prime 28 years old) as a year he's in demand/can get the optimal big multi year contract.

For MF: Patriots provide the gold standard of 'professional, productive, proven' to put on 2017's resume.
For Patriots: we get what BB craves like a junkie craves smack -- an impact player with heavily Patriot friendly cap dollar to production ratio.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Two things: First, when everyone mentions the two sensational plays of Floyd (incredible effort on touchdown and devastating block on Edelman's touchdown), few mention the toe-tapping catch he made on the sideline for (I believe) a first down. That's an experienced receiver who makes that play. He showed a balanced, solid game as receiver in those three plays and an awareness that bodes well for the weeks ahead.

Second, as to his substance abuse problem, I have a lot of empathy. I am hopeful that the Kraft family is supportive, and maybe in this positive environment and obviously his and the team's success since he's been on it will help him work through his problems. It is a bummer, no doubt, but not a reflection of his personal character or the obvious talents he brings to the gridiron. My hope is that his positive experience with the team helps in his recovery and vice-versa.

My overall impressions are that in a very short period of time he has not only shown some quick learning of and dedication to the playbook, but the ability to get open, make plays and the extra effort (that block!) that shows his value to the team immediately. To have such a big, physical and talented player like him available to Brady at this point of the season is a gift. It really adds depth to the receiver corps (who are also getting Amendola and Mitchell back), offense as a whole and the momentum the Pats seem to be building entering the playoffs.

Agreed. The TD, and the block, not only makes an impact on the plays themselves but sets a tone that radiates on both sides of the field. That damn TD effort was Gronkesque. It makes a statement to BB/JM as well as the opposition that this guy's fire to make the play and find the endzone must be given attention. Every player you can put on the field that requires that kind of attention makes life that much better for the Patriots/that much more difficult for the opposition.

Better: given MF's complete self induced distraction from football, the newness to the Patriots, and the tangible impact he has made, it isn't unrealistic to believe his production will continue to climb over the next games. And if that is the case the Patriots O, which we can see is still very good but is noticeably less potent without Gronk, should erase some of the Gronk-less ebb we have seen.

Best: Lewis coming on (remember that human highlight reel last year?), Floyd potentially coming on, O line has established its satisfactory or better play, defense playing above satisfactory, oh yea that guy named Brady -- the prize is tantalizingly within reach. If BB, staff and players bring their A game, the Patriots will have a very high losing threshold for other teams to overcome. Certainly not impossible but it will be a plainly difficult task for any remaining playoff team to beat this kind of top to bottom capability (most especially the AFC teams that must come to Foxboro).

 

[n1997y]

one factor that might be a big deal to Floyd hasn't been mentioned, something I first noticed in Reiss's recent story on Solder and then again in the story about Slater winning the Bart Starr award. The meeting in which Slater was told about his award was a "led by character coach/team development staffer Jack Easterby". I've been wondering what the role of a character coach would be, whether all teams have one, stuff like that. Even without knowing the details about it I'd think that the Michael Floyd situation would be a perfect opportunity for such a coach to add value to the organization and the individual player. That added value is the sort of thing that makes me hopeful a guy like Floyd might decide this is a good place for a long-term deal, maybe even with a home-town discount. Thoughts?

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Tony Eason?
Did Drew sleep with your wife or some other heinous crime?

Drew Bledsoe is very well liked by people including teammates and the media, and by all accounts is a really nice person. He was picked #1 in the entire draft, paid a boatload of money, handed a starting job without any competition, racked up some individual statistics and was and is absolutely deified by his owner and fans who follow suit. During his eight plus seasons at the helm here, the Patriots had a losing record, accomplished nothing on the field that their predecessors in the 60's, 70's, and 80's didn't do much more impressively, and when he finally, mercifully was replaced whined like a baby and later congratulated himself for his restraint.

Babe Parilli, Jim Plunkett and Steve Grogan are just a few people who actually did something to "change the culture", "make the Patriots winners" and "save the franchise", along with being vastly superior players. Nothing personal; I would never start Bledsoe in a game I had to win.

The problem is, Kraft thinks he bought an expansion franchise. He has always gone along lock, stock and barrel with the league, its owners and its representatives who have nothing but ignorance, hatred and disdain for the Patriots, and who repeat their refrain before and today: "The Patriots damaged the league." Reality is not in his vocabulary.