http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Price looking to recapture magic
April 20, 2006
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Peerless Price laughs during a press conference at the Ralph Wilson Stadium complex in Orchard Park, N.Y. on Thursday, April 20, 2006. Price is ready to reclaim some of his lost glory in a familiar place. The seven-year veteran signed a four-year contract with the Bills earlier this month, the team with which he posted career highs in 2002 with 94 catches, 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns.
AP - Apr 20, 2:02 pm EDT
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Peerless Price never thought he'd come back to Buffalo to play football. Now that he has, he's hoping to reclaim some of his lost luster.
After three years of mediocrity in Atlanta and Dallas, the receiver has returned to the scene of his greatest year as a pro.
"I've had success here, and that played a part," said Price, who posted career highs with 94 catches, 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns in 2002 in Buffalo. "I feel comfortable here, and comfortable about the situation."
Price was being courted by a handful of teams in the offseason. But after a visit to the Bills' facilities, as well as a dinner with new coach Dick Jauron, the veteran was ready to go back to the future, signing a four-year deal earlier in the month.
"I like (Jauron) a lot," he said Thursday. "A lot of guys that played for him have given me insight on him and the guys love him. A couple of the players even said they'd love to come and play for him now. I think it's going to be good."
What hasn't been good is Price's recent production.
Following his magical 2002 season, Price was traded to Atlanta, where he received a $37 million deal that included a $10 million bonus. The trade netted the Bills a first-round pick in 2003, which they used to select running back Willis McGahee. It netted Price months of frustration, as he struggled at the coveted No. 1 receiver slot.
Failing to thrive in the Falcons' run-oriented offense led by Michael Vick, Price had just 109 catches in two years in Atlanta. The team released him before the start of last season.
"It wasn't a good situation for me," Price acknowledged. "I just think I was too pricey to keep there with the offense that they run. If you're going to give receivers three or four opportunities a game, I wouldn't pay a receiver $5 or $6 million to do that. I just think the situation didn't call for a receiver to earn that much pay.
"Honestly, I believe it was just a bad fit."
Price eventually was able to catch on with Dallas, but he was released last December after just six receptions in seven games.
Now he's back with the team that selected him in the second round of the 1999 draft, ready to revive his suddenly stagnant career.
"It's not strange, it's just exciting," Price said. "It's familiar surroundings, so that made it good, and an easier adjustment for me."
Price will be battling Josh Reed and Andr? Davis for the team's second receiver position, a challenge he is ready to take head on come training camp.
"I think every year that you are in this league you have something to prove, something you set your sights on, and goals that you set for yourself and your team," Price said. "So yeah, I feel like I have something to prove. Everybody on our team should feel that way."
I think that with the departure of moulds, he is forced to be the number one. He is not good in this role. He thrived when he was running oppposite moulds and didn't have to worry about double teams. He will not succeed, especially with a joke of a QB throwing to him.