His emphasis on what he does before he catches the ball shifted into overdrive, so to speak, when he was training in the offseason with popular WR coach David Robinson after getting a finger stitched up.
The procedure limited what Price could do with his hands, so he obsessed over his footwork and transitions. Specifically, he aimed to increase speed coming out of the top of his breaks rather than cruising. The other goal he set for camp and his second NFL season is to eliminate missed assignments.
More than a calendar year in the offensive system has served him well in that capacity.
“Man, it’s slowing down a lot,” Price said of his comfort at receiver. “I remember last year, this time, I was hearing those play calls, and I was so confused on what’s going on; I was asking everybody, ‘Hold on, what’s that?’ But now I’m calmer back there. I’m able to hear the call, know the call and do my job.”
Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips noted Wednesday that he’s “seen a lot of growth” from Price this spring and summer after initially not knowing “where he would end up being as a true wide receiver.”
“You go into the offseason program, and you could tell right away that he’s been putting in work,” Phillips said. “His route transitions [are better]. He’s always had good hands. He’s got more speed than people think he does. Even though he’s got a fast [40-yard dash] time (he reportedly ran in the low 4.4s at Indiana’s Pro Day) — maybe it’s just the body type, but he’s shown that he can run by guys. He can make guys miss. He’s quick off the line of scrimmage versus bump. So really excited about his future.”
When Phillips was asked about Price’s size — or lack thereof — he emphasized that the 24-year-old is plenty strong, tough and “conscientious with learning his stuff — knowing what to do and where to be.