Michael Floyd looks to make impact for Arizona Cardinals
Oct 18, 2012, 8:18 PM | Updated: 11:46 pm
Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd is off to a slow start in his first NFL season.
Taken 13th overall out of Notre Dame with the hope he’d take some of the pressure off Larry Fitzgerald, Floyd has caught just seven of 17 passes thrown his way for 84 yards and one touchdown.
Those are not quite the numbers many expected him to have six games into his career, but Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is not concerned.
“I don’t think we’re where we want to be as an offense in general, so it’s hard to say he’s where he should be,” the coach said. “If we were doing things better offensively then he would probably be more involved, have more statistics.”
Whisenhunt went on to say Floyd is doing all that’s expected of him in how he works and prepares, and given the fact that Floyd is beginning to see more reps during games it would appear the rookie is starting to figure things out.
“I’m playing now, not so much thinking anymore,” Floyd said. “It’s just natural for me now.”
Floyd has shown flashes of the ability that enticed the Cardinals enough to use their first round pick on him, with a juggling touchdown catch in week three as well as a highlight-reel 24-yard grab Sunday against the Bills.
Still, he has not had many chances to make plays, which is something he’s not really worried about.
“You just have to go with what you get,” Floyd said. “I know it’s going to be a slow process, but when I’m in there I try to go and compete for everything I can do.”
Floyd said he has confidence that he’ll come down with the ball when it’s thrown his direction, and one has to think he’s hoping a few opportunities come his way Sunday when he faces his hometown Minnesota Vikings.
However, he said the only extra emotion this game brings comes courtesy of being able to see his family.
“Other than that it’s just another game I want to get a W in.”
