Brandon Lloyd has experienced a culture shock in his first season with the New England Patriots.
The wide receiver split last season between the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, two offenses we can safely assume won't be studied in Canton one day. Now he's lining up with Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. That's what you call an upgrade.
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Bill Belichick attempted to assimilate Chad Johnson into this offense last season with woeful results. Lloyd has been a much better fit, compiling 37 catches for 435 and three touchdowns in eight games.
As a player who led the NFL in receiving just two seasons ago, Lloyd probably would like to see the ball more. But he acknowledges he's still finding his niche as the Patriots return from their bye to face the Buffalo Bills Sunday.
"Tom accepted me on this team from the first day I walked in the door, so it was an easy transition for me," Lloyd told NFL.com and NFL Network's Albert Breer this week. "And that was natural for me, because that's who I am, I prepare like that.
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"I try my best to prepare the best I could, as hard as I could, with my knowledge coming here. But working with Tom and working with Wes, it's like a whole other level. I'm just doing my best to get on that level with those guys."
Lloyd added that working with veterans like Brady and Welker is "definitely the advanced level of just operating in the NFL."
You could say that.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
