2012 NFL Free-Agent Signing: Brandon Lloyd Punches Patriots' Super Bowl Ticket

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has signed with the New England Patriots, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.  Lloyd had been close to a deal with the team for the last few days.  The signing became official on Saturday.

Lloyd is headed to New England after playing the 2011 season with the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams.  He finished with a total 966 yards receiving with those two teams.

Tom Brady will have a field day with Lloyd at receiver.  Lloyd displays great size and speed, with an ability to free himself from coverage and get open easily.  

He has also thrived with nearly every team he has played for.  He made his name with the 49ers, then took a dip in production with the Redskins, only to raise his production again with the Broncos and Rams.

Now with a superb quarterback—the best Lloyd will have ever played with—he is sure to raise his production even further.

Currently, the Patriots are set to line up Lloyd and Welker at wide receiver, with Chad Ochocinco or Julian Edelman becoming the third wideout.

Imagine the possibilities here, though.  Brady has made something out of nothing for the last few years at wide receiver.  Now that he actually has a Pro Bowl-type wide receiver he can count on, we can pencil in the Patriots as the AFC Champions once again.

Brady made it to the Super Bowl without Lloyd.  There is no reason he cannot do it again with the addition of Lloyd.

The Patriots defense does have some holes in it, but they are very young.  The offense took them to the Super Bowl last season despite a defense that lacked any real success throughout the playoffs. 

The growth they will develop this offseason will continue to make this defense even better next season and will help them return to the Super Bowl with Lloyd as the key addition.

Lloyd makes that offense even tougher to stop now.  The New York Giants only had to worry about Welker during the Super Bowl last year, and it seemed like New England was just that one wide receiver away from winning (or one catch from Welker away, if you will).  

Adding another weapon that Brady can play with makes this team certain to be Super Bowl-bound once again.