Mark Farinella reports Taylor Price tailored his offseason to really learn the playbook and be ready to contribute right from the start of camp.
"I just want to keep competing at a high level, keep playing at a high level, each and every day work at something new, keep getting better at certain things, and always learn from my mistakes," the wide receiver from Ohio University said. "That's what I've been doing these couple of weeks in camp, to keep getting better, no matter what keep pushing myself every single day."
"[Last year, not] having a full grasp on the playbook like I should to be able to play right away, it took me a little bit of time to get into the playbook and know everything," he said. "And coming from a non-sophisticated offense to a very sophisticated, complex, spread offense, it was a little bit different. But I think I'm a smart-enough receiver where I can adjust pretty fast, and that offseason last year really helped me a lot."
"The lockout definitely helped," he said. "I was in my playbook a lot, learning all the audibles and all the different formations, all that. I want to come out here and be ready, to be ready to take over a spot and have no mess-ups, and not have any errors or slipups.
"I know this is my year to go out there and get a spot, and be able to compete," he said. "So I was definitely in that playbook, to know what I was supposed to be doing." He was willing to commit himself to non-stop learning, he said, because of the example set by the Patriots' other wide receivers as he watched them compete last season.
Matt Kalman reports Bill O'Brien thinks the backup quarterback battle is a positive for the team.
"With Brian and Ryan, you have two guys there who obviously can throw the ball," O’Brien said. "Again, they’re working for consistency and working to learn the offense. (They’re) at different points in their careers now. Brian is going into his third year now, and with Ryan being a rookie, they’re at a little bit of different points there, but (they’re) trying to play as consistently as they can, but both of them have (been impressive) in how they can throw the football. You’ve got three guys there that can really throw the football, so that’s been good."
TEAM TALK
- The New England Patriots made some roster moves, releasing first-year CB Thad Turner and placing rookie free agent OL Kyle Hix on injured reserve.
- New England Patriots Training Camp Schedule: Monday 1:30 - 4:00.
- Locker Room Uncut - Thoughts from Price, Arrington. (1.46 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian gives us the superlatives form the first two weeks of training camp.
- Jeff Howe reports Brandon Spikes has an ankle injury and many others are dealing with hamstring issues.
- Ian Rapoport resets the Patriots roster with the addition of Shaun Ellis and the release of Brandon McGowan.
- Mike Reiss puts the thinner-than-desired safety position under the microscope.
- Tom E. Curran wonders if Brandon Meriweather's roster spot is in doubt, after the Patriots bring in safety Dashon Goldston for a workout.
- Mark Farinella likes Kyle Arrington's "bring it on" mentality when it comes to competition in camp.
- Mike Reiss breaks down the Patriots personnel on the D-Line, from a more traditional 4-3 perspective.
- Paul Kenyon catches up with Rob Ninkovich, who has survived two years with the Patriots and plans to keep earning a longer stay.
- Mike Petraglia tells us why Brian Hoyer is playing mind games to stay sharp.
- Jeff Howe discusses what the arrival of Chad Ochocinco means for the Patriots young wide receivers. (1.19 min. video)
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Patriots signed DE Shaun Ellis to a one-year deal; Brandon McGowan has been released; Patriots worked out former 49ers safety Dashon Goldson; Rob Gronkowski has been unstoppable so far at camp;Taylor Price has been getting some looks as a kick returner and likes it.
- Ian Rapoport explains why the Patriots coaches are wearing headsets in practice.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Rich Cimini (ESPNNY) How could Ellis sign with the Pats? Jets better hope they made the right call.
- Kevin Armstrong (NY Daily News) Ellis finds a new home in New England.
- Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) It's only a 4-3 defense when Bill Belichick says it is!
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: How one team positioned itself to take advantage of free agency.
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) NFP Sunday Blitz.
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Lingering questions in need of some serious answers.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Breaking in the new Cap: Loopholes still there, no team minimums.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA paid $50 Million for lockout insurance.