Source: Michael Floyd to Start Practicing with the Vikings Next Week [House Arrest Moved to Minnesota]
Joe Johnson
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Apparently newly minted Viking wide receiver Michael Floyd will be able to practice with his new team sooner than expected, per an article by Ben Goessling of ESPN (Who learned it from local TV Station KSTP).
Floyd is on house arrest because of his “extreme DUI” (Which happened to be his third DUI) from back in December of 2016, which occurred a few hours after the Cardinals lost to the Miami Dolphins. He was sentenced to 24 days in jail and 96 days under house arrest back in February of this year. That house arrest was sentenced in Arizona, meaning Floyd would’ve been unavailable for practice here in Minnesota, but that sentencing changed yesterday. That change allows Floyd, who grew up in St. Paul, to continue his house arrest here in Minnesota and thus join the practices of his new team.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman stated that the team (and Floyd) is aware that Floyd may not be available to start the season, as Floyd could (and most likely will) face discipline from the NFL at the start of this season as part of the league’s substance abuse policy. The 27 year old Floyd is signed to a one year, $1.5 million dollar deal with the Vikings (base) that includes a ton of incentives that could get his salary up to $6 million. I’m not sure how his potential suspension would effect those incentives, but the fact that he will now be able to practice with his team means that he has a better chance of developing some rapport with his new quarterback sooner than expected, which helps his odds tremendously.
Goessling comes to the same conclusion, however he says that Floyd’s availability increases his chances of “Making the team” as opposed to my conclusion of his chances of simply building rapport (Something, for example, Mike Wallace never did back in 2015 (And it showed)). I don’t think there is any chance that Floyd doesn’t make this team, as he’s really too good not to and the Viking’s need at the position is also too great for them to pass on a receiver of Floyd’s ability. If Floyd can get over his drinking issues, he could end up being one of the better free agent pick-up’s in team history (Think Cris Carter). Check out his highlight reel to see what I mean, he’s a beast and had he not been picked up for that extreme DUI, he would’ve easily gotten over $10 million a season in free agency.
This means that Floyd will be available (House arrest includes the ability to leave one’s home for work) as soon as this upcoming Tuesday, when the Vikings begin Organized Team Activities. I, for one, cannot wait to see him in action!