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Bears add Brandon Lloyd to receiving corps -- chicagotribune.com




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chicagotribune.com
Bears add Brandon Lloyd to receiving corps
Receiver combines risks with potential reward

By Vaughn McClure

Tribune reporter

9:22 PM CST, March 7, 2008



The sense of panic that seemed to follow Bernard Berrian's departure
to the Vikings subsided some more Friday as the Bears continued to add
veteran help at receiver.

 Just days after reclaiming nine-year veteran Marty Booker, the Bears
signed another familiar face in Brandon Lloyd. The former Illinois
standout, who played under Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner with
the Illini, has signed a one-year deal.

 "It means a lot to have the trust factor and coach Ron knowing things
I'm able to do," Lloyd said via teleconference. "He believes in me.
That's big. The past two teams I've been on haven't been the smoothest
ride in the world."

 Lloyd, 26, who has averaged 14.5 yards per catch on 130 catches in
his career, is capable of providing that burst of speed and playmaking
ability the Bears lost in Berrian. His five years of experience should
be useful in helping the development of less-experienced receivers
Mark Bradley and Devin Hester.

 His addition gives the Bears more depth with Berrian and Muhsin
Muhammad gone and restricted free-agent Rashied Davis possibly headed
elsewhere. Signing Lloyd, however, shouldn't keep the Bears from
pursuing a receiver in the April NFL draft.

 Lloyd could be a major risk. San Francisco picked him in the fourth
round in 2003, and he fell out of favor with some of his 49ers
teammates for being outspoken—including calling out then-quarterback
Cody Pickett in a 2005 loss to the Bears.

 The Washington Redskins traded third- and fourth-round picks for
Lloyd before the 2006 season, then signed him to a multiyear contract
that included $10 million guaranteed. But Lloyd was suspended for one
game in '06 for throwing his helmet and reportedly had a
profanity-laced tirade against his wide receivers coach. Head coach
Joe Gibbs told Lloyd to stay home for another game last season after
the receiver missed a meeting.

 Lloyd lost his starting job, went on injured reserve with a broken
collarbone and missed the final seven games of the 2007 season after
catching only two passes. He was released by the Redskins last month,
ending his two-year stint with them with only 25 catches and no
touchdowns.

 "I'm not going to say it all wasn't my fault," Lloyd said. "I just
look forward to coming in and earning my spot. The best thing I can do
is come in and work. I feel I have the talent to play in this league."

 Bears safety Adam Archuleta, a teammate of Lloyd's with the Redskins,
said Lloyd might be misjudged.

 "He had a hard time in D.C., but that happens to people," said
Archuleta, who had his own troubles there. "I got along with him. He's
really athletic and makes spectacular catches. He's a
highlight-reel-type guy."

 The Bears hope Lloyd's on-field ability trumps any other issues.
After poring over game tape with receivers coach Daryl Drake, Turner
seems certain that will be the case.

 "I'm not sure what happened [in] the other places. … I just know what
kind of young man he is," Turner said. "I've seen him grow. And we
have talked about what's going to be expected of him when he comes in
here, what he can expect from us. We definitely have had those
discussions. We'll continue to have them, but not any more than
anybody else."

 The outspoken side of Lloyd may never go away. During Friday's
teleconference, he was asked about the Bears' quarterback situation.
Without hesitation, he said, " Rex Grossman is the starter and coach
Ron Turner and coach Lovie [Smith] think very highly of him."

 Turner immediately chimed in and clarified the matter, emphasizing
that it is an open competition between the quarterbacks.

 The Bears just hope Lloyd can keep his slip-ups to a minimum.

 vxmcclure at tribune.com

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