Patriots Cut WR Taylor Price
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 9:47 PM EST
in New England Patriots News
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PrintI'm sad. The Patriots have cut wide receiver Taylor Price. I've had a fan-crush on Price since the Patriots spent the 90th overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft on the speedster from Ohio University. I had extremely high hopes for the receiver, but, unfortunately, injuries and a lack of performance have derailed his career in New England.
When Bill Belichick held a press conference after the draft, he explained why he picked Price. Price came from a run-first offense where he didn't post spectacular numbers- but he had the physical potential to be a gamer. Belichick stated that college production is predicated upon the offensive system, the quarterback's skill, and the ability of the receiver. Since Price came from a run-first offense with a weak quarterback, Belichick was banking upon the ability of Price- and stated that he didn't want to draft a receiver based upon his college production.
Unfortunately, Price has not worked out in Boston. He missed a portion of training camp last season due to a late graduation date. He basically spent his rookie season as a Red Shirt and didn't see the field until the final game of the season. He couldn't see the field this season either as a persistent hamstring injury pushed him further down the depth chart.
This move presents questions to the Patriots and their ability to draft and develop receiving talent. Since Deion Branch and David Givens were drafted in 2002, Patriots six drafted receivers have combined for 14 seasons, 71 receptions, 1121 yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns. That's bad, especially when you consider that Chad Jackson was drafted instead of Greg Jennings, Brandon Tate was drafted right before Mike Wallace, and Taylor Price was drafted around Eric Decker. That's not to say that those players would have seen the same success in New England as they have with their current teams- but it shows that there is talent available when the Patriots have missed on receiver picks.
Prior to this season's draft, I made the following comment:
The main problem with the Patriots drafting wide receivers is that they go for wide receivers without route running experience. It’s extremely bizarre. In a system where route running and being on the same page as the quarterback is the most important role as a receiver, the draft guys continue to pick guys who are extremely raw route runners. Taylor Price, Brandon Tate, Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson. All guys with little route running expertise entering the draft. Maybe Tate and Price will work out, but they’re far from certain.
If the Patriots take a first round wide receiver, he had better be a phenomenal route runner.
With the decline of Deion Branch and the disappearance of Chad Ochocinco, the Patriots could definitely be in position to spend an early draft pick on a top receiver talent in the upcoming NFL draft. If that's the case, they had better not draft another athlete without route running experience.
It's sad to see Taylor Price leave New England. Hopefully he can find success with another team- preferably not in the AFC.
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I really think that the offense is geared toward smaller and quicker receivers
instead of big-bodied receivers with speed
New England Patriots: 8-3 against the Dolphins, Chargers, Bills, Raiders, Jets (x2), Cowboys, Steelers, Giants, Chiefs, and Eagles
*WRs
because plain old “receivers” would count Gronk and Herndo, since both split into the slot and outside as WRs too.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Price had route running skills though.
The Pats had the unfortunate experience of drafting WRs who get injured somehow. Thats the problem. Also, the WRs that Brady likes is also a problem.
They need to draft a WR who seems durable. Whether he’ll play or not is up to Brady and BB really.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
He didn't, though.
He had the physical capabilities to run routes, but that’s very different from actually playing with a route tree. He was able to break free in his routes- which is a great physical capability- but the Ohio offense wasn’t about his route running. It was him finding a way to get open.
So he had the skill set to be great route runner and he was able to get free at the college level, but that’s not the same as actually being a great route runner at the NFL level. He was a raw talent and, yes, because of injuries he was unable to become a focus in the offense.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Route running: Sharp and sudden route-runner; sinks his hips and accelerates out of the cut. Solid comebacks and outs, presses corner and stops quickly to complete the route. Sells routes on the run with foot work and body language to get corner off balance. Must work harder to get open when his quarterback is in trouble.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1123712
BB drafted a very good route runner.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Raw athlete who does not consistently disguise his routes, which neutralizes his excellent athleticism at times. Does not take the proper angles blocking and struggles to stick with defenders. Production has never matched his talent, even in a non-BCS conference at the college level.
The majority of draft scouts say that he’s an athlete who was able to use that skill to get open.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
"Disguise his routes"
And said “Raw Athlete.” Doesn’t mean “Raw Route-runner.”
Price in college, was a good route runner. Not GREAT, but he was a good route runner. Better than Tate was. He wasn’t bad enough to depict as:
wide receivers without route running experience
Which is innaccurate in Price’s case. The other picks? I definitely agree on, but not Price.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
*"Not *consistently* disguise his routes"
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I would say BB likes to draft WRs with speed. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Absolutely, sort of Davis-y in that regard.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Although I looked at a couple of other draft sites
that said he was raw as a route runner. Whether they are GOOD draft sites is another story:
http://howthepatsdraft.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/taylor-price-analysis/
http://www.nfldraft101.com/draft/profiles/player/119700/Taylor_Price.jsp
If those were the cases, then I would say he was raw in that department. imo though, I think he was a good route runner in college, but still had a bit to learn. Obviously the route tree of the Patriots, and the scheme, is MUCH different than at Ohio so Price, especially missing much of training camp last year, was at a great disadvantage.
And at least Davis drafted WRs with route running skills (aside from DHB, who was extremely raw, but he is a good route runner now). :P
I think the WRs we draft should STAY healthy, so at least they can practice more and see the field sooner if they are worthy. Edelman is so far the only young WR we have, and he will likely not see the field as a WR unless McCourty is healthy enough to take the DB spot from him.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Maybe drafting a WR similar to the scheme ther own college team would be wise to do.
You happen to know the type of offenses Givens and Branch had in college? lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
And comparable to the scheme the pats had when they drafted them?
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Well...
…Givens played at ND and Branch was at Louisville. Branch was the quickest player in the 2002 draft (10 yd split), and Givens was a former QB who wasn’t thrown at while at ND. So Branch was much more polished, while Givens was a huge project with great measureables.
I feel like they’ve been spending more picks at WR on the measureable players.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Haha yeah. I think they might have to use an early pick on a receiver.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
Their offense would be better off getting a slot WR in college. a short, quick guy who can run the routes Branch can run.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Watching his games at Ohio...
…he definitely wasn’t helped by his quarterback. Still, his separation was mostly because he was a better athlete than his lesser competition. When he ran his routes, he wasn’t as fast as his combine numbers (reason why he’s an athlete). His t shirt and shorts speed didn’t translate to the field. Whenever the opposing corner played tight coverage, he couldn’t get open at any level.
I’m sure you’ve watched his tape. He never has to catch the ball right out of his break like how the Patriots receivers do. He catches the ball on adjustments and with athletic plays. He takes false steps in his breaks. In the Patriots’ timing offense, he can’t afford to do any of that and he must have struggled to pick up that skill. I don’t think it’s his fault, because the offense in college didn’t ask him to do that. But to say he’s a good route runner when he didn’t have to catch the ball based upon his route is kind of sketchy.
He caught the ball by making athletic adjustments off of his initial route. That’s a good skill, but it’s not the same as making the catch on his assigned route.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
I don't want to stretch it that far.
On his tape, I’ve seen him make catches in stride too.
I think what BB was thinking of “what can this kid do if he had a much more consistent, and accurate, QB to throw to him?”
I think it had more to do with the offenses scheme and route tree, more than the QB he had (who stunk). Price missed much of training camp last year, and was late to study the playbook and practice. Than this year, he got nagging injuries. More of unfortunate circumstances (barring his education) than him not being able to pick up the route tree. It didn’t help that the team he went to probably had a completely different route tree and scheme.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I think he would do MUCH better on the Raiders though.
Given the routes their WRs usually run are deeper routes, with one guy going over the middle, with the TE and RB going underneath. I think he’ll do well in the type of offense the raiders run.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Yeah. But ah well. If he can't get used to our route tree, or stay healthy enough to try and learn it,
its probably not worth it in the end. =/
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
there is no evidence he couldn’t run the routes. just people trying to come up with some rationalization.
Thats why I said IF.
You forgot to see that IF I placed in there. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
And I didn't say he didn;t know how to run routes.
I think he is a good route runner. But if he can’t LEARN and PLAY in our ROUTE TREE, and he is getting injured too much to learn it better, than why have him? I just think that maybe his skills are not best in our STYLE of offense. That goes for the same for his route running abilities. Maybe they don’t fit our offense either, and if they did, then he didn’t have any time to learn and improve his route running skills in our style of offense.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Definitely agree.
He seems like a perfect fit for a non-timing based offense.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
I think that Price's career thus far...
…almost exactly mimics Chad Jackson’s. Fastest guy at the combine, didn’t play at that speed, raw route runner (even if he was a good route runner, he was still raw), who had a nagging hamstring injury his whole career.
by Richard Hill on Dec 3, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
I think that Price had a much higher celing than Jackson.
But I know what your going with.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I wish they gave Price
a quarter of the snaps Jackson got before cutting him like they did Jackson
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
Draft Suceess
With all these recent releases of seemingly good draft talent, I’d be curious to know how the success of our drafts in the last 4 years compare with success from before Pioli left and BB became both coordinators himself.
Draft guru Bill Belichick
I expected this would happen in this coming offseason, following the pattern of recent BB busts, but even I’m surprised at him getting the ax midseason. Honestly though, he was never going to see the field. That much was made clear last week.
Just curious
Is Price practice-squad eligible?
by Always Sunny Next Year on Dec 3, 2011 10:50 PM EST reply actions
Rutgers vs cardinals 2006
Cardinals undefeated ranked 3rd in country. Guess who had the only receiving touchdown in a 1 point game?
He also had one 1k receiving year. Britt just got more attention.
In the little that we saw of Price on the field, I thought he did a real good job
In the one game he had significant play – preseason – he really kicked ass
If Brady didn’t make terrible throws to him, he would have had a lot more yardage
I have very little confidence in Underwood as a receiver nor do I care if he plays special teams.
Too bad Price wasn’t given much of a shot especially given that he was a 3rd round draft choice. These last games were a perfect opportunity for Price to prove himself. I see this as a wasted draft pick as opposed to a bust.
hopefully Underwood can return some kickoffs
which is what I’ve been screaming for while
Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?
i’d rather see edelman doing kick returns. woodhead is the worst.
as far as underwood for kickoffs – they could draw numbers for the kickoff for all i care
if anyone can be a good returner
they will play
New England Patriots: 8-3 against the Dolphins, Chargers, Bills, Raiders, Jets (x2), Cowboys, Steelers, Giants, Chiefs, and Eagles
by freeland1787 on Dec 3, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
Underwood ran back a couple kicks in Jacksonville
For how fast he is, it wasn’t impressive at all.
Follow me on Twitter
thank u captain obvious
New England Patriots: 8-3 against the Dolphins, Chargers, Bills, Raiders, Jets (x2), Cowboys, Steelers, Giants, Chiefs, and Eagles
by freeland1787 on Dec 3, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, it's obvious...
but then that doesn’t stop people from going on and on about other stuff, when this is the only thing that actually matters.
"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver
I think the patriots really didn't do Price any favors
I think it really might be personal because you compare him to the other Pats failed WRs and he really didn’t get really any opportunities in games to prove himself unlike the others. The Eagles game should have been his game to play because he has had nearly no reps before that. His one target in his few reps with the 1st team offense he did his job by getting great separation from his guy, but the QB let him down.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
I like the idea of picking say 2 WR in the draft and bring in a couple UDFAs and having a real competition.
Who is the “best” out of the college WRs? I like Blackmon as a “deep possession receiver” rather than a real burner.
by quadruple option on Dec 4, 2011 12:21 AM EST reply actions
Blackmon's the best IMO
But he’s going to be long gone before the Pats ever pick
by indy pats fan on Dec 4, 2011 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Hmm. I'm not sure the O needs that much of an injection in talent
Considering it’s the D that could use a boost. One WR wouldn’t hurt, but two draft picks plus UDFAs… Pats aren’t the Colts.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Dec 4, 2011 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
Branch, Ocho, and heck Wes are not getting any younger
Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?
we can get by for qbout 2-3 years more with those guys.
but yeah, wouldn’t hurt to draft a short, quick WR that FITS in our offense rather than a guy with burner speed that will likely NOT fit in our offense.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Hernanez is basically a WR.
Gronkowski might as well be considered a #1 target.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Dec 4, 2011 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
*Hernandez, too.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Dec 4, 2011 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
Both Gronk and Herndo split into the slot, and outside WR spots.
Which is pretty fascinating to me. I like it. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
That was my main reason
if Wes and Branch were 25, we’d be fine
by quadruple option on Dec 4, 2011 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
we dont know much about underwood, so lets see what we have in him before we make final judgements.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Well duh, but that cuts both ways… if we don’t know how good he is, it makes sense to get insurance
by quadruple option on Dec 4, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
i say we draft another 2 monster TEs and just split out all TEs as WR
keep welker for PR/KR, cut branch and ocho.
We need a big guy
not necessarily another Moss, but maybe another Gronk – someone who may not get alot of YAC or be able to burn you deep, but can catch any ball and bail their QB out of trouble while also able to act as a blocker when necessary.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Dec 4, 2011 1:08 AM EST reply actions
Hernandez?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Hernandez is a receiving TE.
Not really much of a blocker. GRONK’s pretty much right in the middle of the catching-blocking spectrum, and someone like Crumpler last year was at the all-blocker, no-receiver end.
I think NCS is asking for another middle of the spectrum TE. Good luck on finding one.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Herndo an block....
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
*can
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I guess Ocho is here to stay
Too bad for Price, but i think Ocho can fill the 3rd WR role fine (when he’s healthy and Brady is looking for him) since he’s been getting on page with Brady recently.
Couldn't they have tried Price out on defense before cutting him?
I mean, it worked for Edelman. Maybe lightning could have struck twice. . . .
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
This is what happens when Ventrone isn't on the active roster to be cut.
BB just can’t help himself.
by Oughat on Dec 4, 2011 6:26 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
He could have also cut gronk if he were still on the roster.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Practice squad
He’ll be on th practice squad Tuesday. Remember he only played in one pre-season game.
As for the draft, if the Patriots can’t get one of these LSU corners. There is a safety out of Alabama who seems to have talent. The DE situation is grim at best with no real 1st round talent accept for Q Couples out of UNC.
BB is one darwinian MF...
when the day comes when player A is an inch better than player B then B is history. If he cared what we thought he would keep guys around, if he cared what people thought of his draft picks he would do things differently, but he doesn’t. There are plenty of teams that worry what the press thinks or give a damn about public perception. I hope Price gets another chance though.
It's your thing, do what you wanna do, I can't tell you, who to sock it to. The Isley Brothers
by sweetjesusihatethejets on Dec 4, 2011 9:28 AM EST reply actions
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