Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd Ready To Fly

The Arizona Cardinals have gone through an extreme makeover: NFL edition this off-season. New quarterback, new head coach, and a totally new offensive style. With a new season upcoming, it’s also time for new beginnings, and wide receiver Michael Floyd has the opportunity to rise.

Floyd a second year receiver out of Notre Dame is 6’3″ and weighs 225 pounds, so his elite size is there. In his rookie season Floyd caught 45 passes for 562 yards and two touchdowns. While it wasn’t a poor effort, it was the best production under the quarterback circumstances in which Floyd and teammate Larry Fitzgerald had to suffer through.

If head coach Bruce Arians’ interim time with the Indianapolis Colts was any indication of his game-planning, fans could see a  lot of passing from new quarterback Carson Palmer. Although Palmer hasn’t had recent success during his time in Oakland, he’s also never had the elite sized receivers he has in Floyd and Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald urged Arizona to draft Floyd last year and like a smart franchise listening to their star player, they did just that. With the draft selection of guard Jonathan Cooper this year, the Cardinals are doing all they can to keep Palmer safe behind his line and happy with his weapons. Floyd is a tremendous athlete learning from one of the best receivers in the last decade, now with a true quarterback, the opportunities could be endless.

Justin Blackmon, wide receiver of the Jacksonville Jaguars who was also in Floyd’s draft class, was picked before Floyd but will miss the first four games of the 2013 season due to a violation of the substance abuse policy. With his biggest “receiver competition” missing four games, Floyd who’s been working hard all off-season may certainly make a huge jump over Blackmon as the best receiver in the 2012 draft class. With consistency and success, Michael Floyd could find his name alongside the likes of Julio Jones and A.J. Green, as younger receivers who dominate their position.

The opportunities are endless for Michael Floyd and the Arizona Cardinals, the off-season changes have proven that much. Being mentored by one of the greats always helps, but the 2013 NFL season, Michael Floyd is ready to fly on his own Cardinals’ wings.

Follow Mike Pendleton on Twitter @MP2310

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