Griff, We Hardly Knew Ye

Like almost any other player cut by other teams, Michael Floyd's release following a DUI arrest started a flurry of hot takes from the local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads on whether the Patriots should sign him up. There was the usual high minded moralizing about the troubled but talented wide receiver, concluding that even though Floyd checked all the boxes for what New England needed at the position - as in, alive and breathing - the Patriots shouldn't add Floyd to their injury depleted wide receiver group. Ride or die with an "everyone thinks there's something wrong with" Julian Edelman, a dinged up Chris Hogan and rookie Malcolm Mitchell and his bionic arm.

Bill Belichick disagreed.

Thanks for everything we never had, Griff Whalen. We'll miss not missing you.

Naturally, after the waiver claim on Floyd became official, pigskin pundits and bobbleheads across the 'verse began praising the Pats pick up of the former #1 pick. Belichick had done it again, buying low on top tier talent with little to no risk. Maybe Floyd has a serious problem with alcohol (he had a DUI in college, as well) or maybe he was just a human being who made a mistake. A human being who is a proven playmaker at a position of need. At best, Floyd could play meaningful snaps and contribute to a Super Bowl run. At worst, Belichick just picked up another compensatory draft pick in 2017.

Okay, worst worst case the Patriots have to cut Floyd because he would be better off in rehab than an NFL locker room. New England burns some cash. Fingers crossed Danny Amendola returns for the playoffs, nobody else gets injured and the Patriots hang onto a first round bye so the halt and the lame can heal up.

On the wishful thinking side of the equation, Floyd could be a game-changing addition to the Patriots offense.

His former teammate and long-time unattainable object of desire by Patriots fans, Larry Fitzgerald is standing by Floyd as a person and a baller. No doubt, after an intensive film study session reviewing every pass ever thrown in Floyd's direction, Belichick had a convo with Floyd's workout partner, Logan Ryan to get a feeling for how (or if) Floyd would fit in the New England locker room. Worried about Floyd picking up the Patriots notoriously difficult offense? Well, he played for former Pats OC Charlie Weiss in college.

You can almost hear the haters crying out, "How do the Patriots do it?!?!?"

Today it was reported that Floyd will travel with the team to Denver for Sunday's game with the Broncos. It would be too much to think Michael Floyd catches the game winning touchdown pass in the gloaming this Sunday, isn't it?

The haters just went out to look for a live chicken and a Voodoo priest.