Thread: Michael Floyd Would Be Happy To Become a Bear...............

Receiver Floyd bracing for NFL scrutiny

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Former Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd knows his past will be scrutinized by NFL teams. (Orlando Sentinel Photo)

• Related Should the Bears draft WR Floyd?

By Vaughn McClure, Tribune reporter 11:44 a.m. CST, February 2, 2012


Michael Floyd knows "Interrogation Day" is coming.

The former Notre Dame wide receiver realizes he soon could end up in a room opposite Lovie Smith during the NFL Scouting Combine. And Floyd realizes the Chicago Bears coach’s questions likely will delve into his past missteps, which includes a guilty plea to DUI while at Notre Dame and two other alcohol-related charges in Minneapolis.

Floyd won’t be able to dodge the issue. He admitted he made some poor decisions, mistakes he vowed never to make again. Besides, his mentality at Notre Dame was much different than it is now.

"When you’re at that stage of being at Notre Dame and being the star athlete there ... I think my head was kind of over myself," Floyd said. "I wasn’t thinking right, and I just thought I could get away with anything.

"But having that incident, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I’m just like everyone else, and what you do can influence your future. Basically, that was kind of an eye-opener to me to say, 'Get yourself together. Make improvements in your life.' I’m just making sure that I’m going in the right direction."

Floyd, who was reinstated by Irish coach Brian Kelly before the 2011 season after a four-plus-month suspension, has something to prove to all 32 NFL teams. He is projected as a first-round pick -- possibly falling 19th overall to the Bears -- based solely on his receiving abilities. But some wonder if he has truly matured.

Floyd avoided the first wave of NFL scrutiny. He turned down an invitation to last week’s Senior Bowl because of a lingering rib injury suffered during Notre Dame’s 18-14 loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29. While Floyd bypassed the Senior Bowl, former Irish safety Harrison Smith was peppered with questions about Floyd during last week’s showcase event.

"I guess he's gotten that bad rap from one or two off-the-field incidents, but that's so not what Michael Floyd is," Smith said. "He's always been a great friend. He's always been a great teammate. And after that, he was asked to do a lot of things to get back on the team playing, and he did all those things.

"Even though he wasn't a captain, all the guys on the team looked at him as one of the leaders. He always did things right. He was always coming to work. I don't know what's being said or what's out there, but to me, there's no better teammate, there's no better guy than Michael Floyd."

Floyd will have ample opportunity to leave just as strong an impression on NFL coaches and front-office personnel. He was in Indianapolis on Wednesday for testing with the Gatorade Sports Science Institute and measured in at 6-foot-3 1/2, 220 pounds, the ideal size for a go-to receiver.

Floyd hopes his ribs are healed in time for his return trip to Indianapolis for the combine (Feb. 22-28). He plans to participate in all the drills, although Floyd still has to discuss the matter with his agent, Brian Murphy of Athletes First.

Floyd will continue to prepare for his upcoming "job interview" by working out in California alongside Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, also a projected top-20 pick.

"I think that’s the big thing at the combine, with interviews and doing things on the field," Floyd said. "I believe that I’ve got to be able to do everything 100 percent and do everything well, and the rest will take care of itself."

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23


Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

Receiver Floyd bracing for NFL scrutiny

• Comments
  
  25
  

Former Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd knows his past will be scrutinized by NFL teams. (Orlando Sentinel Photo)

• Related Should the Bears draft WR Floyd?

By Vaughn McClure, Tribune reporter 11:44 a.m. CST, February 2, 2012


Michael Floyd knows "Interrogation Day" is coming.

The former Notre Dame wide receiver realizes he soon could end up in a room opposite Lovie Smith during the NFL Scouting Combine. And Floyd realizes the Chicago Bears coach’s questions likely will delve into his past missteps, which includes a guilty plea to DUI while at Notre Dame and two other alcohol-related charges in Minneapolis.

Floyd won’t be able to dodge the issue. He admitted he made some poor decisions, mistakes he vowed never to make again. Besides, his mentality at Notre Dame was much different than it is now.

"When you’re at that stage of being at Notre Dame and being the star athlete there ... I think my head was kind of over myself," Floyd said. "I wasn’t thinking right, and I just thought I could get away with anything.

"But having that incident, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I’m just like everyone else, and what you do can influence your future. Basically, that was kind of an eye-opener to me to say, 'Get yourself together. Make improvements in your life.' I’m just making sure that I’m going in the right direction."

Floyd, who was reinstated by Irish coach Brian Kelly before the 2011 season after a four-plus-month suspension, has something to prove to all 32 NFL teams. He is projected as a first-round pick -- possibly falling 19th overall to the Bears -- based solely on his receiving abilities. But some wonder if he has truly matured.

Floyd avoided the first wave of NFL scrutiny. He turned down an invitation to last week’s Senior Bowl because of a lingering rib injury suffered during Notre Dame’s 18-14 loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29. While Floyd bypassed the Senior Bowl, former Irish safety Harrison Smith was peppered with questions about Floyd during last week’s showcase event.

"I guess he's gotten that bad rap from one or two off-the-field incidents, but that's so not what Michael Floyd is," Smith said. "He's always been a great friend. He's always been a great teammate. And after that, he was asked to do a lot of things to get back on the team playing, and he did all those things.

"Even though he wasn't a captain, all the guys on the team looked at him as one of the leaders. He always did things right. He was always coming to work. I don't know what's being said or what's out there, but to me, there's no better teammate, there's no better guy than Michael Floyd."

Floyd will have ample opportunity to leave just as strong an impression on NFL coaches and front-office personnel. He was in Indianapolis on Wednesday for testing with the Gatorade Sports Science Institute and measured in at 6-foot-3 1/2, 220 pounds, the ideal size for a go-to receiver.

Floyd hopes his ribs are healed in time for his return trip to Indianapolis for the combine (Feb. 22-28). He plans to participate in all the drills, although Floyd still has to discuss the matter with his agent, Brian Murphy of Athletes First.

Floyd will continue to prepare for his upcoming "job interview" by working out in California alongside Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, also a projected top-20 pick.

"I think that’s the big thing at the combine, with interviews and doing things on the field," Floyd said. "I believe that I’ve got to be able to do everything 100 percent and do everything well, and the rest will take care of itself."

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23


Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

I guess I'm part of that group who wonders if he's really matured. In every draft there seem to be a guy like this who has had some character issues and we end up discussing whether or not we should draft him. Last year it was DT Marvin Austin and he went to the Giants instead and ended up on IR. We got luckier with Paea.

My biggest gripe is that his suspension took place during the spring and summer months so what did he really lose? Where's the penalty for bad behavior in that. He was re-instated before the season and he didn't miss a single game. He says it's opened his eyes but somehow I doubt that. He probably still thinks he can get away with anything because what he got from Brian Kelly was about as severe as being sent to bed without dinner.

The majority in the poll seem to think this kid is a good pick so I guess I'm in the minority.

Hey, so how did Randy Moss turn out with his off the field problems? He even had to change schools.....

Originally Posted by Zelezo Vlk

He was no longer team captain, and he very nearly wasn't allowed to play. Just because we don't know what he had to do doesn't mean he did nothing.

That's my point Zelezo. He was allowed to play which as a penalty amounted to zip. Imagine how his draft status may have been affected if he'd sat out three or four games which would probably happen in the pros. He got off very easy is all I'm saying.

I trust Emery to make a sound judgement about him so if that's the route we go then I'll follow but I still think he's the biggest risk in the draft if you take him in the top 20. If there are players with less risk of equal rank you take one of them. Never draft for position alone. That's what FA is for. You already know what those guys can do and can't do and you know who the bad boys are too.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

Hey, so how did Randy Moss turn out with his off the field problems? He even had to change schools.....

Henry don't even compare the kid to Randy Moss. Not even close to the same talent or measurables. Randy Moss was a freak when he was chosen, Michael Floyd isn't. He isn't anywhere near as fast as Moss yet he doesn't like working the middle of the field either. What we need is a guy his size who isn't afraid to catch between the hash marks and Floyd grades low in that regard.

We'd be far better off to take guys like Toon or McNutt in the second round who are a lot more fearless than Floyd. The guy turned down a Senior Bowl invite over bruised ribs for cryin' out loud. How popular will he be with NFL coaches if he pulls that. I think the guy is a very good college player who will disappoint in the pros.