jimster Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Receiver Lloyd Brings Added Character to Offense http://sports.iwon.com/news/08282006/v1789.html Aug 28, 5:16 PM (ET) Email this Story By JOSEPH WHITE ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Brandon Lloyd's days as a rebel go back to kindergarten, where he managed to get in trouble over the prerequisite question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" His classmates had given the expected answers - firefighter, doctor, lawyer. But Lloyd's response of "I want to be a professional athlete" didn't please the teacher, who called his choice unrealistic. Lloyd pushed back. "I'm like, 'No, that's what I want to be,"' he said. "So I got sent to the principal's office." Unlikely as it might seem, that flash of discipline was a turning point in Lloyd's young life. The principal, Brad Barnhart, told the rambunctious 5-year-old it was OK to want to be an athlete and it was a goal that could be achieved. Twenty years later, as a well-paid receiver for the Washington Redskins, Lloyd can't thank Barnhart enough. "It was one of those things where he touched my life and let me go," Lloyd said. "He understood I meant good. My intentions were good. I was never a bad kid. I just had a lot of energy. I just needed to be guided in the right direction, and he did that." Lloyd has brought hefty doses of both talent and character to the Redskins, who acquired him in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March. He and another newcomer, Antwaan Randle El, join Santana Moss to form a trio that is expected to pile up yards in new assistant coach Al Saunders' high-octane offense. On occasion, Lloyd resembled Plasticman at training camp, stretching his body to catch anything anywhere in his neighborhood. And he's got quite the personality. "He's turning into one of our locker room clowns," quarterback Mark Brunell said. "He's loud, he's fun, he's a great locker room guy. He's a great fit for us." Lloyd talks the way he plays, excitedly moving from one topic to another at light speed. Trying to keep up with him in conversation is as tricky as trying to follow him running a pass route. "Imagine being in a job, at work, you're sitting at your desk, and you're being recorded," Lloyd said. "You go to pick the pencil up, and, it's 'No, you didn't pick it up at 1:25.' 'Why are you writing on this side of the desk? You should be writing on this side.' Not only do they correct you, but then you sit down with your boss and then watch it - and then he corrects you some more. Being in that mode, it's hard. It's hard to snap out of that mode. Luckily, my wife understands and loves me." Lloyd is also a budding singer who has recorded a hip-hop demo, but he's also well-versed in everything from choir music to Willie Nelson. He had no choice but to listen to country music during long vacation drives through his native Missouri and Arkansas, when he and his siblings were stuffed in the back seat of their parents' Omni. To this day, he has Nelson's music on his iPod. "We got our butts kicked one game - it was after the Redskins game last year - I got on the bus and was listening to my music," Lloyd said. "And (49ers vice president of player personnel) Scot McCloughan turns around and says, 'Is that Willie Nelson you're listening to?"' Indeed it was. "Hello Walls" was the song. Lloyd is thrilled to be out of San Francisco, where his personality rubbed some veteran teammates the wrong way. The 49ers were losing and rebuilding, and, in Lloyd's words, "they just weren't feeling my style." In Washington, he's in good company. As colorful as he is, Lloyd arguably ranks only third among nonconformists on coach Joe Gibbs' team. Chris Cooley is angling for No. 1 with his wild hair and strange attire, and Clinton Portis is a perennial contender with his array of costumes and out-of-nowhere sayings. "I just blend right in," Lloyd said. "I'm not like a sore thumb anymore. It's good. And I think the best part is coach Gibbs' attitude toward it. We play our best when we're acting like that, when Cooley's wearing his funky socks and his hair's all over the place." Gibbs has often said he has no trouble with flashy players or colorful characters - as long as they don't incite the other team or embarrass the Redskins. Lloyd, so far, has been no trouble at all. "Brandon's got a great outlook on life," Gibbs said. "He's got a big ol' smile on his face all the time." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mass_SkinsFan Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Talk to me about Brandon Lloyd's "personality" and "Character" AFTER he has a 75 catch, 1100 yard, 12TD season. Until he proves that he can make the plays, his character and personality aren't worth squat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I love this guy, I'm really thinkin about buyin his jersey as my first...although i want an "authentic" one and i cant find it. He was the guy I wanted (receiver-wise) to bring in the most this offseason, I couldn't believe we actually went out and got him. He's a great addition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allskinz Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Talk to me about Brandon Lloyd's "personality" and "Character" AFTER he has a 75 catch, 1100 yard, 12TD season. Until he proves that he can make the plays, his character and personality aren't worth squat. Hopefully he will wipe that butter off his hands for Thursdays game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskinaholic Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I like Lloyd and am glad the Skins picked him up. Seems like the type of guy who can pick up the team spirit, especially now when it's needed. I hope he has a great year and continues to improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVCChairman Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I love this guy, I'm really thinkin about buyin his jersey as my first...although i want an "authentic" one and i cant find it. He was the guy I wanted (receiver-wise) to bring in the most this offseason, I couldn't believe we actually went out and got him. He's a great addition. dude, you need to change your sig lol :doh: as far as Lloyd is concerned, i cant agree with you more, this guy very well could be one of the pieces to the Redskins Puzzle. he's a down the field deep threat, which means we can get Santana to do what he does best....Play with the ball in his hands. Moss is fast, and he cant always win the Jump Ball plays like Lloyd can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 If the Redskins offense is working, one receiver should not have to bear the burden of productivity. Moss had 9 touchdowns last year when he was the only deep receiving threat. It is unrealistic to expect Lloyd to amass 11 by himself in 2006 with Moss and Randle El also in the mix. I really don't understand the nasty tone MASS SKINS FAN takes on the story. It's merely a human interest story on a player that is new to the club. I guess some folks are so angry over the preseason record they are seeing red over everything now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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