The longer Brandon Lloyd held court at his locker this week, the more questions turned to his past.
Why didn't it work out better in San Francisco and Washington? Beyond a sideline helmet-tossing incident in Washington, what else had he done to earn such a bad rap? How could a guy with so much opportunity -- with a $30 million contract from the Redskins -- have only 25 catches and no touchdowns in two seasons? Then there were the rumors he was a locker-room cancer.
After catching six passes for 124 yards and a touchdown Sunday in the Bears' overtime loss against Tampa Bay, and being a solid citizen since coming on board in the spring, you figured Lloyd eventually would snap. Enough with the past.
''The old Brandon Lloyd is still me,'' he said. ''I don't regret anything because there wasn't anything bad. There's a lot of bad stuff going around the NFL, a lot of bad stuff individuals are doing in getting suspended for different things. I was never that. If it wasn't for the quote-unquote 'old Brandon Lloyd,' I guess there wouldn't be the new Brandon Lloyd.''
Make no mistake, Lloyd, 27 and in his sixth season, has learned from some of his bridge-burning experiences. But when he arrived in March with a one-year contract for the minimum salary benefit, he didn't bring a moving van of baggage. Lloyd chooses to call the offer from the Bears his ''next chance'' instead of a last chance, but when you go from a six-year, $30 million deal in 2006 to a one-year deal for the minimum, that's the equivalent of a no-risk final opportunity to recapture a once-bright future.
Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner -- who recruited Lloyd to Illinois when he was a 17-year-old senior at Blue Springs (Mo.) High School -- recruited general manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith to give Lloyd a chance. It looks like the next-best move to drafting running back Matt Forte in the second round for an offense that has been without a big-play threat. Lloyd's big game was only the ninth 100-yard effort by a wide receiver in Smith's five seasons. His 16.6 yards per catch rank sixth in the league among players with at least 10 receptions.
''I heard a lot of the same stuff, and I tried not to listen to it because I knew him and I knew what kind of kid he was,'' Turner said of the decision to sign Lloyd, ''but everyone in this building heard stuff. Our trainers talk to their trainers, our equipment guys to their equipment guys, our players to their players. Everyone heard stuff, so when he came in, people were probably looking at him saying, 'Oh, this is that guy I've heard all these stories about.'
''He didn't win their respect and confidence overnight, I can tell you that. He started doing it in the [organized team activities] and everything else, but it was still kind of like, 'OK, we'll see when it comes for real.' And that's still going on. He's got to maintain the focus that he has, and it's been tremendous.
''I know things didn't work out [in San Francisco and Washington] and I heard all the stories, and I'm not saying it was all their fault and he's never said that. I'm sure it wasn't. I said, 'Hey, I believe in the kid, and if he comes in in the right circumstances, I know his talent.' He's very talented. Worst-case scenario is he comes in and he's a locker-room problem and we get rid of him. And I told Brandon that. I said, 'Brandon, if Lovie thinks you're a problem in that locker room one day, you're gone.'''
Turner has put the 6-foot, 194-pound Lloyd to work where he's at his best, outside the numbers. He has made acrobatic catches for quarterback Kyle Orton, including a 19-yarder for a touchdown over Ronde Barber last week. The challenge for Lloyd, who was held out of practice Thursday with a minor hip injury, will be continuing to produce if the Bears don't develop a complementary target. He'll face a tough test Sunday if Philadelphia matches up Asante Samuel on him.
''He's one of those guys when you don't play with him -- I didn't know him -- you would always see him on these highlight reels making catches,'' Orton said. ''I said, 'Shoot, this guy must be 6-4 or something.' He plays big, and he has shown that he can make some big catches.''
Lloyd isn't worried about being taken out of the offense by an opposing scheme, confident that opponents will key on Forte and the running attack. He knows his full body of work over the course of the season will shape opinions here. Because of the minimum contract, which pays him $605,000 but counts only $485,000 against the salary cap (he received a $40,000 signing bonus), Lloyd cannot re-sign with the Bears until free agency opens. Of course, that wouldn't prevent the Bears from negotiating with him before then.
For now, at least, there's a fresh outlook for Lloyd, old or new.
''I don't think anybody in football ever said, 'Oh, Brandon can't play. He's not good,''' Lloyd said. ''But I think people were reading the articles and blowing different situations or interactions out of proportion and [thinking], 'Oh, this guy is being a real jerk for not putting any numbers up.'
''It's just really good to have the opportunities. I never felt once that I couldn't help a team win ballgames. That's all I want to do. It's all about the football to me. I'm here for the football. I said that when I got here, and that's the way I continue to approach it.''
''I don't think anybody in football ever said, 'Oh, Brandon can't play. He's not good,''' Lloyd said. ''But I think people were reading the articles and blowing different situations or interactions out of proportion and [thinking], 'Oh, this guy is being a real jerk for not putting any numbers up.' ''It's just really good to have the opportunities. I never felt once that I couldn't help a team win ballgames. That's all I want to do. It's all about the football to me. I'm here for the football. I said that when I got here, and that's the way I continue to approach it.''
Like his new tude( and it is, despite what he says), and hope it continues... some guys just mature at different rates, and playing for a minimum contrcat is a hard hand of reality smack to face for mnay
atlbear2:I just hope he dosen't start the alligator arms agian like he used to. I recall a game aginst the niners where he oled the ball inside the five because Mike Brown was going to lay a big hit on him. That might have cost them a touchdown if I recall correctly.Who knows maybe he finally gets it. Or maybe Turner just knows how to get him to produce.
I recall a game where T.O got alligator arms against bears, amd mike brown returned that missed Pass for a TD in OT and a "W".. that T.O. guy never amounted to anything ..lol
think looking at the past or 1-2 plays year later kinda silly
BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell
did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage
dbears54: BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage
broughtupbears: dbears54: BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage and our deep passing is steller!
geez , will you be negative all year? just wondering
and a bad secodnary makes even an inaccurate qb look good,, but hey better duck!! the sky is falling!
dbears54: broughtupbears: dbears54: BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage and our deep passing is steller! geez , will you be negative all year? just wondering and a bad secodnary makes even an inaccurate qb look good,, but hey better duck!! the sky is falling!
Orton's passing game has looked pathetic at best. However, Lloyd has looked fantastic. Some of the catches he has made from Kyle "innacurrate" Orton have solidified him as a viable option with anyone at QB. We are seeing a much improved #80 from last year.
BigBrandon44:is doesnt have to be stellar to exploit a flaw in someone else game
broughtupbears: BigBrandon44:is doesnt have to be stellar to exploit a flaw in someone else gameTrue...but I dont see us exploiting anyone in the deep game. Maybe getting a few WOULD BE GREAT...exploiting??? Nah
so even if we do exploit it deep,, it will just be 'lucky".. not meant to do.. mistakes.. blah blah, got it.. no matter what.. will have a negative slant.. which i know i know is just "realistic"...
You did ask for it when you said their DEEP coverage is bad. C'mon...Rex isn't starting.....everyone knows are DEEP passing sucks with KO
The Hunted: dbears54: broughtupbears: dbears54: BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage and our deep passing is steller! geez , will you be negative all year? just wondering and a bad secodnary makes even an inaccurate qb look good,, but hey better duck!! the sky is falling! You did ask for it when you said their DEEP coverage is bad. C'mon...Rex isn't starting.....everyone knows are DEEP passing sucks with KO
agree 100% IT HAS sucked.. but guess i still beleive in this thing called Improvement, and that players can and do get better.. go figure.. and IF kyle continues to stink deep, i doubt he is the qb much longer..
Interesting choice of words, wasn't it Lloyd who ducked when a pass was thrown at him? Now I am not bashing Lloyd whatsoever. Let his play speak for itself. I hope he has turned the corner in his career and continues playing like he is. This could end up being a great under the radar signing for the Bears. Hopefully Turner can figure new ways to use him.
twrbearsfan: dbears54: broughtupbears: dbears54: BigBrandon44:that secondary is stacked they have three cornerbacks who can all start Dawkins seems a step slower in coverage, im hopin they can take advantage of Dawkins and Mikell did you watch the eagles/dallas game? their secondary is not good in deep coverage and our deep passing is steller! geez , will you be negative all year? just wondering and a bad secodnary makes even an inaccurate qb look good,, but hey better duck!! the sky is falling! Interesting choice of words, wasn't it Lloyd who ducked when a pass was thrown at him? Now I am not bashing Lloyd whatsoever. Let his play speak for itself. I hope he has turned the corner in his career and continues playing like he is. This could end up being a great under the radar signing for the Bears. Hopefully Turner can figure new ways to use him.
Yep maybe being back with turner( who recruited him from high school) or the harsh reality of making minimum $$.. not sure and do not care, it IS a different llyod and you can't judge him on anythign but what he does here both good or bad..