Philly's Sharrif Floyd Is Ready To Explode This Season For The Vikings
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — There's been something missing the last two years in the NFL. Something football fans have been deprived of when they've plunked down to watch the Minnesota Vikings. That something has been the real Sharrif Floyd.
The Sharrif Floyd that terrorized the Philadelphia Public League at Washington since he was 14. The Sharrif Floyd that brutalized the SEC at Florida.
That Sharrif Floyd.
The NFL hasn't seen how truly exceptional Floyd is.
That could change this year.
During his first two seasons in the NFL, the 23rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft has shown glimpses of what he could do. Now entering his third season, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Floyd is prime for a breakout season in the second year under Vikings' coach Mike Zimmer.
In 30 games with the Vikings, Floyd has made 63 tackles, forced a fumble, had seven sacks, three passes defended—as a defensive tackle—and three stuffs.
Last year, he was hampered by a knee injury that he feels fully recovered from and now has two years of experience to work with.
Floyd has excelled at every level. He's ready to become that player again. He wants to get down to a 295-pound playing weight.
"I am my harshest critic, I'll work to achieve greatness, and most people say that can be done over a certain period of time," Floyd said. "I have a plan and I'm doing what I have to do to be great. That's just my motor. And it's not just for me, it's for everyone back in Philly that's ever supported me. It's actually the whole town of Philly. If it ever came to a point where I head home as a failure, that would hurt more than anything. I'm always going to do what I have to do.
"That's take of the people that I love and stand up for my city. I can play better and I know it. It does bother me, because in the back of my mind, I have a standard that I've always tried to reach. But it's more than that. There's a standard I have to uphold for my teammates. They're in there with me. I play for them. People have always depended on me on the field and this is no different. I use my abilities for my teammates."
The Vikings play a four-man front and Floyd has played defensive tackle, though there have been rumors that the Vikings may try to utilize Floyd's speed and quickness as a defensive end this year.
"I keep on hearing about that move to the outside, but no one has come to me to talk about it," Floyd said. "I won't know about it until I'm told. If I am moved, I don't think it will be a tremendous move. Maybe I'll be used in a package, but I'll still be a three-technique."
Floyd feels the Vikings' defense could be among the best in the NFL. He also feels the Vikings are a playoff-caliber team, especially with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entering his second year and Adrian Peterson, by all accounts, returning.
Floyd had only 24 snaps in the Vikings' last four games in 2014 playing at about 50-percent on a bruised knee. Floyd says his knee feels great and he's 100-percent entering training camp.
"I think one of the biggest differences in me is experience, I know what to do in camp, I know the system, I know how the pre-season is going to go, and how my season is going to go," Floyd said. "I just have to make it happen. We have a talented team. The number-one thing for me is to stay healthy to contribute to my team. Everything will take care of itself. I can't put too much on my shoulders. I know what I have to do.
"I'm looking at the guys I play with above everything else. I'm putting everything out there this year for them. I owe them that. I'm excited to see what we can do. I think the Minnesota Vikings can compete in the playoffs this year, in my opinion. I hate losing more than anything. That's going to change."
Floyd is going to hold his first annual "Sharrif Floyd Football Camp" next summer in Philadelphia. No time or site has been determined yet, but it's something Floyd has wanted to do ever since he entered the NFL.
"I have to give back to Philly, because the city and a lot of people have been so helpful to me," Floyd said. "I want to be able to provide something to help kids."
