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Lloyd Joins Brady, Patriots; Reunites With McDaniels
In a move that might be one of this year's more intriguing acquisitions from a Fantasy perspective, free-agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has agreed to terms with the New England Patriots

Lloyd’s deal is worth $12 million over three years, a league source told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora. Boston Herald staffer Ron Borges advised his Twitter followers the deal could has a ceiling of just over $15 million.

Although money was reportedly a sticking point earlier today, Lloyd had hinted he wanted to play in New England so badly that he’d take less money to sign there. And indeed, the Patriots seem to have received the benefit of a discount.

But what makes the move so interesting to Fantasy owners is the fact it reunites Lloyd with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who coached the athletic wideout with the Broncos and later as offensive coordinator of the Rams.

Oh yeah. It also puts him in the crosshairs of one Tom Brady.

As Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith pointed out, Lloyd will add a deep threat capable of making spectacular catches to a Patriots’ passing attack that's already pretty spectacular.

But the biggest plus has to be Lloyd's familiarity with the scheme.

As Boston Globe staffer Greg A. Bedard explained last week, the Patriots’ passing system is complex, and not everyone can grasp it (as Chad Ochocinco proved last season).

Lloyd can. He has.

Even though he’ll be 31 July 5, Lloyd has proven to be productive in the system. He had 70 catches for 966 yards and five touchdowns last season between the Broncos and Rams -- when both teams were bad. And he was second-team All-Pro with the Broncos and McDaniels in 2010 after catching 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Then there are his physical tools.

Bedard pointed out that Lloyd is not a burner -- he’s a long-strider who is deceptively fast to defensive backs -- but few are better in the air.

“He’s extremely talented,’’ a Broncos source told Bedard. “He has the best body control and hands of any receiver I’ve ever seen from the standpoint of just making the craziest catch. He does it so much that he makes those crazy catches look normal for him.

“He’s either going to come down with it, or knock it away from the [defensive back]. He makes contested catches over people because he can elevate and make catches in the crowd, make catches when the [defensive backs] are right there; make one-handed catches on balls that are thrown behind him. His body control is just ridiculous.’’

But there's a reason Lloyd is joining the sixth team of his career -- and why he hasn't been retained in his last two stops despite strong performances.

According to Bedard, the book on Lloyd is that he can be moody and surly, depending on the day, and a bit selfish. You won’t find many teammates who have good things to say about him.

And while some claim Lloyd can be managed when he's on the practice field or in games, it sounds like a chore.

“I know you’ve heard he was good in the building, but he wasn’t necessarily an angel in the building,’’ the Broncos source told Bedard. “He wasn’t a good teammate. During games, he was asking the stat person to see how many catches and yards he had at that point in the game when [Kyle] Orton was starting.

“He has that locker room lawyer-type in him. Publicly he’ll say all the right things, but in the locker room he’ll voice his opinion.

“He’s extremely intelligent. Very articulate, very well-read, but there were times when people in the building thought he may be bipolar -- and not joking -- because he has days where he’s up and ready to go and happy-go-lucky and he’s like, ‘Hey, what’s up? How’s it going?’

“And then there were other days when he was surly and moody, and you just know it’s not a good day to approach him.

“He’s kind of a different cat, I’ll say that.’’

But success -- and more specifically success while winning -- can go a long way towards moderating one's behavior.

And so, apparently, can McDaniels, who Bedard characterized as the "Lloyd Whisperer."

“With Josh there, they do have a special relationship, and I know Brandon respects the heck out of him,’’ Bedard's source said. "That might be the equalizer that controls all the negative stuff.’’

Well, that and Brady. And Bill Belichick. And a locker room with a strong veteran contingent that knows what it takes to win and that knows the "Patriot Way."

Needless to say, adding a deep threat to go with the Wes Welker and the tight-end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will only make the Brady and the passing attack more diverse. And more dangerous.

And that’s saying something.