Chaney graduate makes the Colts

Anthony Floyd's NFL debut could be today in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Anthony Floyd, a native of Youngstown, may get a chance to play in his first NFL game today for the Indianapolis Colts against the Cleveland Browns.
And that means that Floyd, a graduate of Chaney High and a former All-American free safety at the University of Louisville, may get an opportunity to pick off a pass thrown by Browns' quarterbacks Kelly Holcomb and Tim Couch.
Floyd, who had a school-record 18 interceptions in his four-year career at Louisville, was one of four free agent rookies to make the Colts' 53-player roster.
He is one of 11 defensive backs kept on the Colts' roster, including two other free safeties.
The other two are Idrees Bashir and Jason Doering who rank 1-2 on the depth chart ahead of Floyd (5-foot-10, 202 pounds), who will wear jersey No. 39.
Tied for national lead
Floyd's best year at Louisville was as a sophomore in 2000 when he had 10 interceptions to tie for the national lead in Division I-A with Dwight Smith of Akron. Smith is now the starting safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That year, Floyd made three All-American second teams -- Walter Camp, Associated Press and United Press.
He had four interceptions as a junior, three as a freshman and one last year.
He wound up with 261 career tackles, ranking third on the team his last two years with 97 as a junior and 91 as a senior. He had 57 tackles as a sophomore and 16 as a freshman.
In Floyd's four years at Louisville, he helped the team to a 33-14 record.
Another winning program
He also is entering a winning program with the Colts, who went 10-6 last year for second place in the AFC South Division behind Tennessee (11-5), and gained a playoff berth before losing to the Jets
Indianapolis continued to do well in this preseason by compiling a 3-1 record, including a 28-23 win over the Denver Broncos during which Floyd came up with an interception. Coach Tony Dungy's Colts ended preseason play last Friday with a 21-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Floyd graduated from Louisville in May with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He and his wife, Verleen, have a daughter, Brittany, 3.
The son of Doug and Patti Floyd of Youngstown, Anthony played football at Chaney for coach Ron Berdis.
Anthony's brother, Antwan, who also played for Chaney, is now a student at Florida A & amp;M where his football career was cut short because of a knee injury.
kovach@vindy.com