FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots gave Michael Floyd a fresh start last month when they signed the receiver just a day after he was waived by the Arizona Cardinals following a DUI arrest.
A month later, Floyd has a chance to fulfill that faith and possibly play the role of X factor on a suddenly stacked group of Patriots receivers heading into the playoffs.
It’s been a busy four weeks for the 27-year-old stepping into the no-nonsense, high-expectation Patriots bubble. But Floyd said that he’s eager to get on the field for what will be the third postseason trip of his five-year NFL career.
“I just think I take everything in,” he said. “Obviously a lot of these guys have been here plenty of times. Some others haven’t. I have … I kind of know what it’s like, that’s it’s obviously different than being in the regular season because it’s win or go home.”
Floyd was brought in to help bridge the gap created by Danny Amendola’s ankle injury on Dec. 4 that kept him sidelined for New England’s final four games.
Amendola returned to practice during the Patriots’ bye week and has been a full participant in practices this week. So what Floyd’s role will be in Saturday’s divisional-round matchup with Houston is unknown with all four primary receivers – Amendola, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell – healthy.
Floyd has already made his presence felt in the two games he’s played.
After being targeted just twice (one reception) in his debut Dec. 24 against the Jets, he caught three of the four passes thrown to him the following week and had a touchdown during the regular-season finale at Miami. He also was aggressive when he didn’t have the ball, helping his teammates pick up extra yards with his blocking downfield.
“He’s worked hard. He’s gotten better,” Coach Bill Belichick said. “Obviously each time he goes out and runs a play for a second, third, fourth, fifth time there is a higher level of execution, confidence. … I mean, he’s never going to catch up. There’s too far to go, but he’s closing the gap and he’s been able to help us on some things.”
One of the things Floyd said has helped integrate himself into the Patriots’ culture is walling himself off from distractions. Part of that is living in a place nearby “where I can just kind of focus in on football and I can get to work in less than three minutes.”
“I think it’s just a different attitude here, a different feeling,” Floyd said. “And being the new guy coming in, you gotta be up on everything. Be on your toes and just making sure that whatever they throw at you (that) you’re right on top of it, and you’re focused and you’re ready whenever your time is called.”
RAMS: Los Angeles made Sean McVay the youngest head coach in NFL history.
The Rams on Thursday hired McVay, who turns 31 years old on Jan. 24.
The Washington offensive coordinator replaces Jeff Fisher, who was fired 13 games into the Rams’ homecoming season in Los Angeles, and interim head coach John Fassel. The Rams finished 4-12 in their 13th consecutive non-winning season.
“The accomplishments and success that he has had in less than a decade in our league are impressive,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement.
McVay spent the past three seasons as Jay Gruden’s offensive coordinator with Washington. He has been an assistant there since 2010, where he worked with Gruden and Bill Callahan to build a prolific offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Steelers: Linebacker Bud Dupree said he was fined for his crushing hit on Miami quarterback Matt Moore in Sunday’s AFC playoff game.
Dupree told ESPN he wasn’t sure of the amount but he’d likely appeal. According to the network, he was fined $18,231.
Dupree was flagged for roughing the passer on the play. Moore said after the game he didn’t consider it a dirty hit.
n Authorities said they will withdraw the most serious charges filed against assistant coach Joey Porter after his encounter with a Pittsburgh police officer at a South Side bar last weekend.
It’s unclear what that means for Porter, who was placed on leave “pending further review” following his arrest.
Dolphins: Matt Burke, the Miami linebackers coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator to replace Vance Joseph, who left to become head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Ravens: Baltimore hired Greg Roman as the team’s senior offensive assistant and tight ends coach.
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