Before ever stepping on the practice field or even in the building at the Russell Training Center, Brandon Lloyd already had a clear understanding of what he will be asked to provide to his new team.

Coming into a receivers meeting room in which he is already the most experienced and accomplished wideout on the depth chart – by far – Lloyd stepped on the practice field for the first time as a Ram on Wednesday knowing that his responsibilities extend well beyond producing on the field.

“I think so,” Lloyd said. “That’s how I was looking at it when I was coming here. It’s not an issue of talent. It’s just an issue of focus and understanding what is trying to be accomplished with certain plays that are being called. Once they understand that and grasp that, they have the ability to do anything they want to do. I think that’s definitely my role to show these guys how I have prepared, how I have trained and how I have studied and how I play in the games and that will help them in their careers.”

Lloyd’s leadership role will be seen as crucial to a young, developing receiver corps. To wit, Lloyd is in his ninth year in the league and played in 101 games. The other six receivers on the Rams roster have combined for 12 seasons and played in just 64 games.

In terms of production, the numbers are again not close. The other six wideouts on the roster have combined for 1,632 yards and five touchdowns. To put that in perspective, Lloyd posted 1,448 yards on 77 catches with 11 touchdowns just in the 2010 season. 

Nine years into his career, Lloyd has 260 receptions for 4,101 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Aside from the leadership, it’s that type of production that Lloyd is hoping to bring to the table after the Rams gave Denver a sixth-round pick that could become a fifth rounder if Lloyd reaches certain production benchmarks.

“(My goal is) just to be consistent,” Lloyd said. “To come in and provide a deep threat and open up the offense and that will open up everything. That’s going to open up the running game, that’s going to open up the various levels of the passing game. Hopefully that translates into wins because that’s the most important thing.”

Lloyd made an immediate impression in Wednesday’s practice wearing his newly minted No. 83.

After the workout, his teammates were glowing in their assessment of how quickly Lloyd adjusted to his new team and re-adjusted to a system he knows well.

Running back Steven Jackson even went so far as to tweet that Lloyd is “a special player” right after his first practice with the team.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo concurred, noting that Lloyd seemed to acclimate well to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, the same system and coach in which he played in the aforementioned breakthrough 2010 season. 

“I’m encouraged by the fact that he knows exactly what he’s doing,” Lloyd said. “Him and Josh knocked out a bunch of stuff yesterday and he went out there and made a number of catches here in practice. I’m hopeful that he’ll be able to step in and won’t skip a beat.”

Lloyd and McDaniels made beautiful music together in Denver and Lloyd earned a trip to the Pro Bowl under McDaniels’ guidance.

After McDaniels moved on to St. Louis and John Fox took over the Broncos in the offseason, Lloyd’s production and role had decreased some this year.

While Lloyd said he didn’t feel unappreciated by the Broncos, he did say he’s excited to be back in an offense he knows well with a team that is thrilled to have him on board.

It also doesn’t hurt Lloyd’s comfort that he is back closer to home in St. Louis after he grew up in the Kansas City area and went to school at the University of Illinois.

“Yeah, (it’s) definitely good to be back closer to home but most importantly I get to be on a team which values my service and I’m just excited to get out there,” Lloyd said. “I am excited to play here.”

Although he’s not that far removed from playing for McDaniels, Lloyd was a little taken aback by how much of the system he retained though the terminology is very similar to what he had with McDaniels in Denver.

“I was surprised by how much I was able to recall from a couple years ago,” Lloyd said. “It just felt real smooth.”

Lloyd’s ability to catch on quick should have him up and running and ready to play – and possibly even start – Sunday against Dallas.

Known for his sharp route running skills and his ability to go up and fight for the ball in traffic, Lloyd brings much needed play making skills to the offense.

This particular offense is clearly suited to what Lloyd does best. After bouncing around the league a bit in his first seven or so seasons, Lloyd never really found a fit.

But in the McDaniels system, there’s an unquestioned match between what is required of receivers and what Lloyd does best.

“I am a really good route runner and the route tree in this offense is pretty dynamic,” Lloyd said. “There’s a nice mix of quick gain, there’s intermediate routes, there’s double moves, there’s just a lot going on in this offense that catered to my talent. I love it. I feel very comfortable in this offense.”

That comfort was evident in Lloyd’s first practice and will probably carry on throughout the rest of the final 11 games.

And though Lloyd expects more of himself than anybody can expect from him, he’s well aware that some view him as the guy who can turn this season around.

It’s a task that’s probably unfair to thrust upon any single player but one that Lloyd will embrace. 

“As a professional athlete, our pride would like to be stroked that way where we feel like that but I think that this is a really good football team,” Lloyd said. “It doesn’t reflect it in the record. If it takes that, I am prepared for that. I am prepared to be that. I am going to prepare myself and be as healthy as possible and go into these games ready to rock and roll.”