With star TE Rob Gronkowski absent for yet another New England Patriots playoff run, questions surrounding the strength of the Pats’ offense were buzzing to an extent around the league. As we close the book on a 14-2 regular season, it is clear that those questions were put to rest by the #1 seed in the AFC.
The move on December 15th to sign the just-released Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd off of waivers might just be a controversial season-saver. Floyd, who was arrested for DUI with a BAC of .217 the week prior to being claimed, is back on the field and making a difference. Floyd had 3 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in just his 2nd game as a Patriot. He also threw a monster block to allow Julian Edelman to score on a 77-yard touchdown.
With the way that the Patriots have been playing of late, that’s all the Pats’ really need of Floyd. But at the same time, we saw the impressive progress that he has made over these past few weeks. Leaving the door open for him to do much more in the postseason.
Even with breakout rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell out on Sunday, New England hung 35 points on the road against 10-6 Miami. The additions of Mitchell and Floyd made sure of one thing the Patriots didn’t do last year. And that’s making the AFC go through Foxboro. Wins at Denver, at the Jets, and at Miami. A revengeful way to clinch the #1.
One thing is for sure, Michael Floyd as a Patriot will not last into next season. Still in his contract-year, we can’t overlook why the Cardinals released him in the first place. And for Floyd, it will mean jail time later in the year. I think moving forward New England has bigger free agency needs to take care of.
But at the end of the day, the future is now. New England is 3 games away from getting that 5th ring. I don’t care what Floyd does. If he gets one catch in the playoffs but it helps towards winning a Super Bowl? Thanks for the contribution.
-Jim Bulger(@518SportsBULGER)
