Stepping stone

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 | 10:10 a.m.

When former UNLV wide receiver Todd Floyd needed a reason to keep pursuing his goal of making it to the NFL, he didn't need to look very far.

He only needed to look across the locker room.

Floyd, a Reno resident, played at UNLV from 1995-97 and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998 but was soon released. During his time with the Jaguars, he was a teammate of former Rebel wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1996.

"(McCardell) played here at UNLV and he went the hard road of being a late draft pick and being cut," Floyd said Tuesday. "But he kept pursuing it and persevering.

"And he's made it, so he was a guy I could look to and think that I could do it."

Floyd still thinks he can make it to the NFL.

First, he wants to make sure he earns his keep with the Las Vegas Outlaws.

The 6-foot-3 wideout was one of 30 skilled players the Outlaws invited to a six-day workout at Green Valley High School that began Tuesday.

Because there was no defense, head coach Jim Criner had the group working on the passing game, from 3-step drops to screen plays.

As expected, the results weren't perfect, but Criner was pleased with the first day of practice.

"It was a typical first day," Criner said. "With the team learning the new offense, there were some mistakes.

"The good thing is we have many experienced players, guys who know how to make adjustments, and things got better as we went along. I like the team's attitude and willingness to learn."

After being released by the Jaguars, Floyd played the 1998-99 season in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy then went to camp with the Buffalo Bills, where he tore a hamstring. The injury cost him another opportunity to make it, so he went back to play with the Galaxy last season.

The Bills re-signed him after the season ended in June, but he was released, again giving him the opportunity to play with the Outlaws, who used one of their territorial selections to take Floyd.

"I'm excited; hopefully things will go well here, we'll have a good season and I'll get another chance at the NFL," Floyd said. "I've been over in Europe, in Buffalo and Florida, so it's nice to be able to be back home and be able to play in front of my family and friends again."

Criner, who spent the last six years coaching the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe, remembers the trouble his team had stopping Floyd and is happy to have him on the team.

"Todd is an excellent route runner and has outstanding hands," Criner said. "Those are the two things that make him special.

"He has decent speed and is a big target who is able to get open in man and zone coverage. I'd say he is a classic possession receiver with the ability to read the defense."

Leroy Collins, the Outlaws' first running back chosen in the draft, was optimistic about not only the upcoming season, but the future of the XFL. Collins played at Louisville and was on the Jaguars' practice squad last year. This year he went to camp with the Washington Redskins before being released.

"It's definitely going to develop into something big with more teams next year," Collins said of the XFL. "I think it's going to blow up and be exciting for everyone to see and get to know what it's all about.

"Everybody wants to win, everybody is on the same page here. Guys are taking it to another level because they are ready to go."