Some more comments on the comments:
1. Just to sum up the ND connection value: Having played for Charlie, Floyd has SOME familiarity with the semantics (language) and route running concepts that still exist in Foxboro. To put it in perspective, it's like going to school in France for a couple of years and you pick up the local language and become pretty fluent in it. Then you come back home for 4 years, and don't speak a word of French, and then suddenly you get sent to France again. When you land at Orly on Friday, the language seems familiar, but its not like you are as fluent as you once were. However picking it up again will be a LOT easier than if they sent you to China instead. In other words, it's not much, but it's something.
2. I am not worried at all about him being suspended THIS year. Roger can't do anything until the DUI is finalized in court. That could take months. That being said, a 2-4 game suspension is DEFINITELY in Floyd's future next season. But for this season suspension won't be a factor.
3. Far from being a threat to team harmony, I think Floyd will be welcomed in the Pats locker room. This just shows the team how committed the FO is to winning it all this season. Think about it. If you were in that locker room, who do you want out on the field with you when you need to make a play, Griff Whalen, or Michael Floyd. They know they are thin at WR, and the FO found the best guy possible to add some depth and were willing to commit some significant $ in doing it. Besides by ALL accounts Floyd is a very good locker room guy, well liked by his team mates.
How long he's here will be dependent on how Floyd behaves and how quickly he learns, and what he does on the field, but as far as the locker room accepting him, the leadership will accept him as long as they think he is working hard to make the team better....period.
4. Assuming he stays in Foxboro this weekend the Pats have just over a month to get him ready to be a competent part of the receiving corps for the playoffs(the rest of this week, 2 games, a bye week, and game week). I think it is reasonable enough to think this coaching staff can create a package of plays that he can run in that time. Again he is familiar with the language and concepts that are run here.
5. Upside - IF he likes his 2 month experience here and is willing to sign a one year incentive laden prove it deal here, it would be a huge coupe for the Pats. With DA and Edelman entering their 30's and showing signs of slowing down, getting a guy with Floyd's talents, speed, size and age would fill a huge need.
a. The AZ guys Reiss talked with said that pre season Floyd was talking about looking for Julio Jones money after this season. Well obviously THAT's never going to happen, but if his eye are too big, or someone wants to overpay if he does well here, then there is the comp pick advantage. (not that it guaratees we get one, but it would help)
6. The downside - None, unless you think the $1.3MM will significantly keep us from signing anyone with the 70 odd Million we will have under the cap next season.
I didn't think this would happen. First I thought some one lower would claim him. I did beleive the Pats would "kick his tires" but only if he became a FA, and he'd probably go elsewhere. I was wrong not to think the Pats would be so proactive here. They are clearly taking advantage of a player who put himself in a bad situation, just like LGB's experience in Pittsburgh. We can only pray it works out nearly as well.
