NFL Rumors: Tom Condon Not an Issue for Brandon Lloyd to New England Patriots?

On paper, the free-agent connection between receiver Brandon Lloyd and the New England Patriots has made a lot of sense. But one issue some have speculated could be a major road block is Tom Condon, Lloyd's agent, who has a longstanding feud with the Patriots organization. 

According to the Boston Herald on Thursday, that issue might not be the hurdle that some originally thought.  

Speaking with Ron Borges of the Herald, Condon said that a deal with the Patriots can be had with his client this offseason.

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Both sides know how this works. If they have an interest they call up and tell you when free agency starts or they meet you at the combine or whenever. We both know what Brandon is. He’s a smart, explosive receiver. He’s a player who is going to get offers.

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Condon went on, preferring to keep the past in the past:

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I’d prefer not to rehash things from seven years ago. I may never like them and they may never like me, but I appreciate that they’re smart guys who usually get what they want. I usually get what I want, too, and what I want is what my client wants.

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All along, the fit between Lloyd and the Patriots has seemed like a logical one. 

Lloyd had seen his share of success playing in offenses run by Josh McDaniels, both when McDaniels was a head coach in Denver and as an offensive coordinator in St. Louis.

McDaniels was hired as the Patriots' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2012 season. 

In 2010, his final season with McDaniels in Denver, Lloyd posted career-highs in catches (77), yards (1,448) and touchdowns (11). After being traded to St. Louis last season, Lloyd had 51 catches for 682 yards and five scores with McDaniels calling the plays.

According to Borges, Lloyd told the St. Louis Dispatch that he's more than open to playing under McDaniels again in New England.

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I can’t even lie about that. I’m tied to McDaniels. He uses me differently than other offensive coordinators used me in my entire career. He uses me as an every-play receiver. The short game, mid-range game, gimmick passes, deep balls. I do everything in this offense as opposed to other coordinators who would just run me off as the deep guy; run me off into double coverage and then say I’m not open. So I really like how Josh uses me within the offense. . . . I want to be used in ways where I feel comfortable and I can be successful and Josh knows how to do that.

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Considering the Patriots' need for a veteran vertical threat at receiver, the fit almost seems too good not to happen. 

The way it sounds now, the main issue in this reunion isn't Lloyd's affiliation with Condon. It might come down to whether Lloyd wants to play under McDaniels in the Patriots organization more than he wants the monster paycheck he could likely field from some other franchise. 

Will Condon push his client away from the Patriots for more money? That's a possibility. 

But it certainly appears that Lloyd would be completely open to playing for the Patriots at a fair price. The shoe fits in this situation, and it doesn't look like the big, bad agent is going to stop a potential signing from happening.