Panthers showing interest in Ohio WR Taylor Price

[CatMan72]

Per Steve Reed:

Everyone knows the Panthers need a No. 2 receiver.

Well, here’s a juicy bit of information courtesty of Bo Marchionte of NFLDraftBible.com. Marchionte reports that Panthers general manager Marty Hurney attended Ohio University’s Pro Day Friday and spent close to an hour watching game film with Ohio University Taylor Price.

Link: http://reederstake.freedomblogging.com/2010/03/12/panthers-showing-interest-in-ohio-wr-taylor-price/4507/

[CatMan72]

More on Price from CBS Sports:

Ohio University receiver Taylor Price has been told he's a dead ringer for Johnny Knox and he's not shying away from the comparisons. Price is one of the more buzz-worthy players at the draft, considering how few reporters monitor the Bobcats. "I trained at the same spot Johnny did [in Miami, Fla.]," said the 6-foot Price, who came out of a wing-T offense in high school in suburban Columbus. "A lot of people say I remind them of Johnny, so I hope I can put up the numbers he did. He ran fast and I'm looking forward to doing the same thing." Price, who had a great Senior Bowl week and is ranked as the 11th-best receiver by Scouts Inc., is considered one of the fastest players in the draft. Knox's 4.34 40-yard dash last year boosted his draft stock and he wound up being one of the Bears' few bright spots in 2009. - Jon Greenberg, ESPN Chicago

A vastly underrated talent with exceptional athletic ability, Price toiled for a team that never established a passing attack, yet professional scouts hold him in high esteem..

The 2009 Bobcats ranked just 106th in the nation in total offense (310.14 yards per game), and 82nd in passing (198.14 yards per game), but Price has still managed to produce 28.26 percent of the team's passing yards. He is a strong, physical runner with excellent field vision and a team-first work ethic making him an inviting prospect for NFL teams utilizing the "Wildcat" formation.

One of only two Mid-American Conference players to receive Fred Biletnikoff Award consideration (given to the nation's top receiver), Price has also entered his name to the school's record books. His fourteen touchdown catches rank second in school history and his three scoring grabs vs. Akron in 2008 tied the Bobcats game-record. He also holds the school all-time record with 149 receptions, as his 51 catches in 2008 was the fourth-best season total in Ohio University annals. That season total was aided by his school game-record fourteen grabs vs. Wyoming.

At Hilliard Darby High School, Price lettered three times in football, playing alongside fellow Bobcat, Adam Olsheski. As a junior, he received All-Ohio Capital Central League second-team honors and was an All-District I honorable mention as a senior. He competed on both sides of the ball, catching 30 passes for 400 yards while collecting 52 tackles with two interceptions. As a junior, he also excelled on special teams, blocking five kicks that season. In addition to his three letters in football, he added another one on the baseball team.

The 184-pounder arrived on Ohio University's campus in 2006, battling his way up the depth chart (seventh entering fall camp) at the "Z" (split end) receiver position to start one of the fourteen games he appeared in. He gained 77 yards on nine receptions while also seeing action on special teams. He added 26 yards on five punt returns (5.2-yard average), along with a 23-yard kickoff return.

As a sophomore, Price won a heated battle for the "X" (flanker) position in fall camp, taking over that split after the graduation of All-Mid American Conference standout, Scott Mayle. He justified the coaches' faith in him, ranking second on the team with 32 receptions for 464 yards (14.06-yard average) and four touchdowns. He averaged 19.1 yards on seven kickoff returns and 3.8 yards on six carries. He also showed off his strong throwing arm, completing both pass attempts for 50 yards, including a touchdown.

Price led the team with 51 receptions, the fourth-highest season total by a Bobcat. His 694 aerial yards rank sixth and his five touchdown grabs rank tied for seventh on the school's annual record chart. He also tied the Ohio game-record with three scoring catches vs. Akron, the first Bobcat to accomplish that feat since 1972.

In 2009, Price arrived at fall camp with an impressive 20 additional pounds of muscle on his frame. He again led the squad with a career-high 56 receptions for 784 yards (14.0-yard average) and five scores during his final season. He also rushed 11 times, picking up 103 yards (9.4-yard average) in the process to guide the team to a berth in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl.

Release: Good quickness off the line and separates from corners down the sideline if left unchecked using his exceptional speed. Can use his hands to get off press coverage and use a hesitation move to freeze corners before getting into his route.

Hands: Reliable receiver who extends to able to catch the ball away from his frame. Adjusts to high, low, and wide throws well, and can make the exceptional catch. Brings in passes over either shoulder, even when contested. Excellent body control over the middle and on the sidelines.

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.

After the catch: Agile with the ball in his hands, can make the corner miss on quick out. Often gets additional yardage despite having to adjust to poor throws. Accelerates quickly after the catch; north-south runner. Sets up safeties in space with head fake and shifty hips. Changes ball to outside hand when feeling pressure from the inside.

Blocking: Needs work here, must put more effort into reaching a target and come with more aggression when he finds one. Has the size to be successful, and flashes willingness to mix it up downfield to help teammates on the run.

Intangibles: Unselfish player. No major character issues. Quiet on the field, lets his play do the talking.

[CatMan72]

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[CatMan72]

[Swarly]

Awesome. Let's hope he's like Knox, who seems to get open in the end zone all the time(too bad Jake Cutler threw like 10 red zone picks last season lolz)

[KBRed]

When is he projected in the draft?

[pantherfan81]

When is he projected in the draft?

I read somewhere he's ranked 11th out of the WR's. Don't remember where though, my bad. He looks like he has potential, I wouldn't mind getting him in the later rounds.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

He reminds me of Drew Carter... lol

[Swarly]

I've seen on a few sites that he's projected to be a late 5th/6th round pick.

[Brooklyn Bully]

We can do better.

[pantherfan81]

We can do better.

For sure. Though I wouldn't mind him being our second wr we pick in the draft.

[Nicbsbll2]

So the reports are that we are interested in him?

Well scratch him off the list. We almost never draft the players that we are linked to prior to the draft.

[Swarly]

So the reports are that we are interested in him?

Well scratch him off the list. We almost never draft the players that we are linked to prior to the draft.

rofl

[coxc63]

He reminds me of Drew Carter... lol

I agree 100%, he has the speed to get open (Drew Carter possessed the same trait) but after the catch he goes down too easily, he doesn't fight for the extra yards, a good receiver breaks arm tackles (smitty prime example). I dnt see this guy as a high prospect, maybe on ST's but that's abt it.