Lloyd's role with Rams evolving into mentor

ST. LOUIS A change in roles had struck Brandon Lloyd before he approached his locker Wednesday, the way he became a mentor to a young St. Louis Rams receiving corps. Once, he was a young player who questioned veterans about their craft. Once, he was hungry to learn. However, the ninth-year wide receiver arrived in St. Louis from the Denver Broncos after an Oct. 17 trade knowing his situation would be different. From the sideline last season, he watched then-rookie quarterback Sam Bradford guide the Rams to a road victory over the Broncos in Week 12. Then-rookie wide receiver Danario Alexander led St. Louis with four catches for 95 yards. As a result, Lloyd understood the dynamic awaiting him at Rams Park after the trade was announced this fall. Of the seven other wide receivers on roster, only Mark Clayton (seventh season) had more than three years of professional experience. Lloyd considered himself ready. "Maybe four or five years ago, I wouldn't have been ready for this," Lloyd said. "But now, at this point in my career, I'm ready to help. I'm ready to share all that I've learned and see other guys do it and be successful with it. I feel like I have a unique skill-set, and I feel I've walked a unique path through this league. It's a cool story, and I like to share it." Lloyd has traveled a unique path, and he has shared knowledge gained along the way. Now with his fifth NFL team, the Illinois product has taken on the role of a teacher. His ability to instruct as well as stretch the field shows his maturity. Still, the transition from student to mentor made him laugh as he recounted the journey Wednesday in a mostly cleared locker room after practice. He recalls learning from watching former Rams wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce players who used deception rather than power to gain space against defenders. Now, others study him. "It's something I've embraced," Lloyd said. "I'm not shy about talking about anything. I think it's good for younger players, because so many of us as NFL players fall into traps that have already been set for other players. Why? Because we don't communicate with one another." Tim Crone trusted Lloyd's ability. Lloyd was one of the most-gifted players Crone had witnessed during his time as the football coach at Blue Springs (Mo.) High School. Early on, Crone knew Lloyd could have a special career. Lloyd visited his Kansas City-area home shortly after the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He met with Crone during the trip, and the former coach spoke about realizing potential. "Brandon," Crone recalls saying then, "you have the ability to be a Pro Bowl receiver." But the talent Crone saw in Lloyd required time to mature. Lloyd spent three seasons in San Francisco with his best year coming in 2005, when he had 733 yards and five touchdowns. Starting in 2006, he spent two seasons with the Washington Redskins and one with the Chicago Bears but never produced more during the stretch than the 365 yards he earned his first year in the District. Yet Lloyd experienced a breakthrough in Denver. In 2010, he had 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns. That season, his second under then-head coach Josh McDaniels, he was named to the Pro Bowl just as Crone predicted years before. To Lloyd, that achievement proved what he had believed despite an unremarkable start to his career: He could produce with the right opportunity. At times, he felt limited in early situations. Shortly after the Pro Bowl announcement, he vented during a news conference at the Broncos' facility. "It is just fortunate that I am able to step up and make plays when given the opportunity, because I have been complaining about opportunities my whole career," Lloyd said to reporters then. "I finally get the opportunities, and I am able to make the most of it." Lloyd has tried to make the most of opportunities throughout his time in the NFL. As the son of two teachers his parents, James and Shirley, have both taught in Kansas City-area schools Brandon has always considered himself curious. He recalls veterans saying, "Why do you ask so many questions?" early in his career. But the game's nuances fascinated him. He wanted to know why players behaved the way they did. He wanted to know why a wide receiver became upset about lack of throws coming his way or why a quarterback approached a scenario with a certain mind-set. "I think Brandon's understanding of this offense has really helped that position group immensely just in that fact that they see him practice at such a high level." quarterback Sam Bradford said. "I'm talking about some of the younger wide receivers: That's how we should practice and that's how things should be run. I think not only what he's been able to do on the field as far as his catches and his plays but what he's been able to do as far as elevating everyone else's level of play has been a great help for our team." That elevation is a result of Lloyd's approach. To him, teams suffer if players are too competitive to share strategies or talk other topics such as investment and relationship advice. Information eases tension. On Wednesday, Lloyd stuffed both hands into a gray hoodie and did not hesitate after he was asked when he began to develop as a mentor. He said it happened in Denver, where younger players such as wide receiver Brandon Marshall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil approached him. "It's a game where we're all in competition with one another," Lloyd said. "So we think: We're all receivers, so if I don't perform, somebody is going to take my job. But if you think that we're all working together for one goal to win, go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl we're working together and not against each other. Sharing information is how we all get better." Said Alexander: "Lloyd is a very unique guy. He's very good at picking everybody up, and he has brought a good vibe to the receiving room. He's a special guy." That vibe has led to a 2-2 record since Lloyd arrived in St. Louis. His latest stop has allowed him to grow. Lloyd began laughing. He thought back to days in Denver when young players approached him for advice, and he realized he had aged. Time had made the student a teacher. "Oh, now I'm the old guy," Lloyd recalls thinking. "I'll help you." The sight was an example of the value the Rams see in Lloyd. Aside from Lloyd's comfort with McDaniels' system the coach is in his first season as the Rams' offensive coordinator Lloyd is a veteran presence who can help young Rams wide receivers find an identity. Lloyd has 21 catches for 255 yards and leads the Rams with two touchdowns. St. Louis lacked a downfield threat before he arrived. However, Lloyd's addition has helped in ways that go beyond a box score. During a recent practice, Alexander saw Lloyd make a one-handed catch. The sight pushed Alexander to produce like his veteran teammate. "Like in anything else, I think he had to grow into it," Crone said of Lloyd. "I think he would be the first to tell you he was a little immature when he first got into the league when he played for the 49ers. But he stayed with it. He did have the God-given athletic ability to be able to do it, which not everybody has. He had some tough times in Washington, and they got rid of him. Everything is a fit in the NFL anyway. I think Denver got rid of him, because (Tim) Tebow was going to take over at quarterback. I think he was brought up the right way, had God-given ability and he stuck to it. He realized that he wanted to be in that role." Lloyd's role will evolve with time. And so will lessons along the way.