Ex Bobcat star receiver competing for spot with Pats

Former Ohio University star receiver Taylor Price is rapidly getting into the swing of things at the New England Patriots training camp, according to media reports.

Price, who reportedly missed three weeks of spring workouts and team activities because of the NCAA’s graduation rule, has been playing catch-up, the Boston Herald reported on Sunday.

The NCAA doesn’t allow college players to work with their new professional teams till after they graduate, and since OU’s on the quarter system, Price had to wait till after the June 12 graduation day.

Price, whom the Patriots drafted in the third round, has been doing a good job catching up, New England head coach Bill Belichick said in the Herald article.

“Well, he was behind, but I think he’s working hard and he’s making it up,” Belichick told the Boston Herald. “I’m sure in time he will catch up. I’m not sure exactly when that will be, but he’s definitely gaining on it. The time that he’s been with us has been productive…” And the Patriots’ director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, told the sports media that Price has the skills to succeed. “He’s big. He’s physical. He can run. He has good playing strength… He’s moving in the right direction,” he said.

The article noted that during one practice last week, some 17,000 spectators showed up, “more than the 16,018 fans who paid to attend last season’s Ohio-Cal Poly game.”

A training camp log, filed by SI.com’s Don Banks on July 31, had some encouraging words for Price. The main gist of the item was that veteran receiver Torry Holt may be on the bubble with the Patriots, and that the choice could come down to between Holt and Taylor Price, with Price having a decided edge.

“I suppose it speaks well of the Patriots’ improved receiving depth chart that a guy with more than 900 catches and 13,000 receiving yards in his career faces a potential fight for a roster spot, but that’s where Torry Holt finds himself this summer,” Banks wrote.

“Holt… may need the Patriots to keep six receivers in order to be safe. He’s had a rough first few days in camp, and continued to struggle at times Saturday catching the ball.”

The “sure-bet” receivers on the roster, as of the item’s posting, were “givens” Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and second-year players Julian Edelman and Brandon Tate. “That leaves Holt, 34, and third-round pick Taylor Price, whom the Patriots liken to a young David Givens.”

An NBC News blurb about Banks’ SI.com piece added that “Price, meanwhile, is already showing big-time potential as a pass-catcher and route-runner. The Pats wouldn’t risk losing the third-rounder on waivers.”