Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS for a division title. "Mike's a young guy," veteran quar- terback Carson Palmer told USA To- day. "It doesn't seem like it because of his maturity. … He can do just about everything because he's quick enough. He's a big, physical guy, but he plays quick, he plays small as far as releases and getting off the ball." Head coach Bruce Arians has seen Floyd's development and noted that the wide receiver has slimmed to 220 pounds of muscle. "Sometimes as a rookie, you don't know how to be a pro," Arians told USA Today. "You learn from a guy like Larry how to be a pro. Then your ability takes over, and that's pretty much where he's at. He's just going to climb." From 2012 to 2013, Floyd's recep- tions increased from 45 to 65, his yards from 562 to 1,041 and his touchdowns from two to five. He continues to heat up in the desert. "I'm glad my quarterback has a lot of confidence in me, knowing that I can make plays on the ball and make plays for him," Floyd said. NFL NOTES Through Aug. 18 • Former Irish defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore (2008-12) sat out his entire rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens a year ago due to injury, and he'll have to do it again this season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a preseason practice. Lewis-Moore had risen through the depth chart to become the team's top backup defensive end during the preseason. He underwent surgery Aug. 15, per- formed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, who specializes in foot and ankle injuries. Lewis-Moore sat out of all 2013 after tearing the ACL in his right knee during Notre Dame's 42-14 loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game Jan. 7. • Former Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen's Jimmy Clausen was cut by the Carolina Panthers during the offseason, but was signed by the Chicago Bears to compete for the team's backup quarterback spot this August. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP