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Player Capsule:
The Patriots have been missing a down-the-field threat on the outside since Randy Moss’ production tailed off in 2010. Granted, it hasn’t stopped quarterback Tom Brady from racking up yards at a ridiculous rate, but it has forced him into more underneath routes with safeties able to be aggressive in moving toward the line. Lloyd openly courted the Patriots in free agency for an opportunity to fill that Moss role. He’s coming off a solid 2011 season in which he caught 70 passes for 966 yards and five touchdowns despite playing for a pair of scuffling offenses in Denver and St. Louis. At 30 years old, Lloyd still has plenty of downfield speed and has always been known for his acrobatic receptions. As recently as 2010 he had 77 receptions for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns with Kyle Orton as his quarterback. Brady has several targets to spread the ball around, but if Lloyd picks up the offense and can come anywhere close to filling Moss’ shoes, he could eclipse those career high numbers from ’10.
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