How Leonard Floyd's 'Relentless' Bills Impact Goes Beyond Pass-Rush Productivity
Over the last three years, new Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL.
Joining the Los Angeles Rams after four seasons with the Chicago Bears, Floyd thrived to the tune of 10.5-, 10- and 9.5-sack seasons while adding in 28 tackles for loss.
But the stats for Floyd are only a small part of the equation - just ask Rams coach Sean McVay.
Amidst early season production struggles, questions arose surrounding Floyd's performance, to which McVay immediately turned the discussion into how the 2016 first-round pick influences and affects the quarterback to where the ball comes out quicker.
While this may go unnoticed on the stat sheet, it was well documented inside Los Angeles' building - as did Floyd's competitiveness and toughness.
During the season, Floyd suffered an injury in practice that the Rams thought could be season-ending ... but he played nearly 80 percent of defensive snaps later that week.
So, sure, the consistently impressive sack numbers pop out in a big way - but so do the intangible traits that Floyd brings to the table each day.
"He's always a guy that's played with a relentless motor," McVay said.
Energy was another word that came to mind for McVay when discussing the 30-year-old Floyd, as did consistency - and in a way, the two merge together, especially with off-field leadership.
Consider outside linebacker Terrell Lewis, who relied upon Floyd as a veteran presence for three years in Los Angeles. Perhaps most notably, the information wasn't a one-way street; Floyd didn't take the seniority approach and block out tips from Lewis, instead taking it as an opportunity to learn.
In essence, Floyd provides a valuable presence as an experienced leader willing to use his voice for the right reasons - but he's just as willing to let others talk and drive the boat if needed.
"I may learn something from Flo where he teaches me somewhere," Lewis said. "Flo's a very humble, kind of quiet guy, but he'll subtly say or do things where it's like, 'Okay you, right.' Maybe I should look at certain things like that. He gives me a different type of perspective."
Now Floyd, who signed a one-year contract with the Bills last week, will get the chance to have a similar impact on some of Buffalo's young defenders ... all the while aiming to continue his trend as one of the league's most productive, consistent, relentless and energy-filled pass rushers.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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