Bobcat star receiver makes NFL grade in New England

Lining up opposite one of the campus' most popular teams will be one of their own.

New England Patriots wide receiver and former Bobcat Taylor Price survived last Saturday's roster cuts and is listed as the fifth receiver on the Patriots' depth chart.

The 6-1, 200-pound Price, a Hilliard, Ohio native, shot up draft charts after clocking a sub 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last spring, catching the eye of many scouts and general managers.

After being drafted, Price competed primarily against 34-year-old veteran Torry Holt for the team's fifth receiving spot, but a knee injury to Holt ended the competition and all but secured Price a roster spot.

As Athens NEWS Editor Terry Smith previously reported, during training camp multiple media outlets saw Price as an improving player, and his preseason statistics supported that conclusion.

Though only recording one reception for seven yards in his first three preseason games, Price gained the confidence of coaches and quarterbacks catching four balls for 33 yards in the final preseason game. But the receptions do not tell the whole story. In the Patriots' final preseason game against the Giants, Price was the target 11 out of 39 throws, far more than any other receiver on the team. This shows a certain level of comfort and strong confidence by the quarterbacks and coaching staff in Price.

Price was unable to be reached for the story, as the Patriots typically do not like to have rookies interviewed early in the season, according to an e-mail from Patriots Media Relations intern Steven Horn..

Patriots coaches were also unavailable for comment, but Ohio wide receiver's coach Dwayne Dixon assessed what exactly makes Price an effective receiver.

"He can do a lot of things pretty darn well," said Dixon, who has coached many wide receivers drafted in the NFL. "He can block, he's physical, he can be a return guy, he has a complete package."

Price honed those skill at Ohio, where he became the school's all-time leader in receptions. A quiet person according to Dixon and teammates' accounts, the wideout spoke primarily with his play.

Teammates also talked about Price.

"He was a hard worker; he tried to stay very disciplined," said redshirt senior wideout Terrance McCrae, who came to Ohio in the same recruiting class as Price. McCrae added that Price "tried to be detailed."

Senior wideout LaVon Brazill said Price was more than just a teammate to him.

"Taylor Price was pretty much my mentor since I was a freshman, and he pretty much taught me everything I know right now," said Brazill, the leading receiver behind Price last year.

Price's detail-oriented work ethic seemed to rub off on Brazill. When asked what he tried to improve on in the off-season during Ohio's media day, Brazill mentioned the little things, like route running and reading better defense.

Price was the third Ohio football player drafted in the past three years, and Head Coach Frank Solich said that churning out NFL talent is important to the football program. "It's huge for us; it gives players in the system encouragement in terms of working. It helps in recruiting a lot," said Solich during a mid-July interview.

McCrae said he has noticed a change recently during practices. "I do feel like there have been more scouts around, as far as in camp," said McCrae. "I feel like if we have anybody that's drafted in the organization, it's going to help bring more attention to Ohio University."

While ESPN's NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has senior middle linebacker Noah Keller listed as the "most NFL-ready player" on the Bobcats, coach Dixon said that he thinks that Brazill, McCrae and fellow wideouts Riley Dunlop and Steven Goulet have the potential to play on Sundays.

This Sunday, Price will suit up wearing number 17, a hallowed number in New England sports lore that was once worn by Boston Celtics great John Havlicek.

So when Bengals fans in Athens are cheering on the loud-mouthed Ochocinco this Sunday, do not forget about one of your own on the other sideline, the quiet uno-siete.