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When the Washington Redskins signed free agent wide receiver Michael Floyd just over three weeks ago the move wasn’t seen as an attention-getting acquisition. That now can change and Floyd’s pick-up could be a move that when looked at later in the year, could be one the Redskins benefited by default from.
The Redskins a few weeks ago were dealing with injuries that on a daily basis was leaving the WR unit thin. During the preseason, the Redskins were getting major contributions from rookies Trey Quinn and Cam Sims and liked the future of their young receiver core. Both players were injured, however, in the team’s opening day win against the Arizona Cardinals and effectively lost for most of the season. Third-year veteran Maurice Harris should have more of a role in his second game of the season after missing the first games while dealing with a concussion sustained in the preseason. Now the team more than likely on Monday will be without the services of third-year and former first-round pick, Josh Doctson.
Doctson has been dealing with Achilles/heel issues for most of his young career. The team reported that the former TCU All-American had his heel stepped on and that kept him out of practice all week. Yesterday he was spotted wearing a walking a boot so the chances of him playing Monday night in New Orleans against the Saints appear slim at best.
Because of the injuries, Floyd has a chance to rekindle a career that has had many ups and downs. The seven-year veteran out of Notre Dame was a sure bet to be a star in the NFL when he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2012 draft. His pairing with future Hall of Fame WR Larry Fitzgerald was seen as a duo for the ages. Floyd was coming in from Notre Dame as the school’s all-time leader in catches (271), yards (3,686) and touchdowns (37) which are all school records.
Floyd has had some productive years over of his career amassing a total of 256 receptions for 3,859 yards and 24 touchdowns. Over the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, however, his production has been severely lacking. He caught a combined 14 receptions during that span.
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The St. Paul, Minnesota native has been working hard with the Redskins and has a chance to contribute and that could be Monday.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden has been encouraged by Floyd’s progression learning the team’s offense.
“It’s been good,” Gruden said to the team’s media members after a recent practice. “You know, he hadn’t got a ton of reps but I think more learning in the classroom than anything. He’s trying to study. Originally, we had him coming in here to learn one position, but now with the injury to Josh possibly, we’ve had to have him learn both spots, so a lot of learning for him in the classroom. [Wide receiver coach] Ike [Hilliard] is doing an excellent job getting him ready. He looks good on the hoof out there.”
Gruden liked Floyd coming out of Notre Dame and had a chance to evaluate and work him out. He mentioned that he was very familiar with Floyd’s game.
“Yeah, I did a lot of work on Floyd coming out,” Gruden said. “I went to a…I was at Cincinnati and I went to work him out at Notre Dame and really liked him. He’s a big, strong, physical guy. He can run. He’s great in the running game, man. He blocks, very physical, got a great demeanor about him. I’ve been anxious to get him. Once I saw that he was kind of floating around out there, we finally got a chance to work him out and signed him. He hasn’t disappointed yet. ”
Floyd is playing on special teams which could help his cause to stick around longer in a Redskins uniform as well.
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Gruden mentioned that Floyd was ” … doing a little kickoff return, kickoff coverage.”
It will be interesting to see how the Redskins deploy Floyd on the field against the Saints and if his number is called.
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