Peerless Price

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|10|27
birthplace=Dayton, Ohio
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=194
debutyear=1999
debutteam=Buffalo Bills
college=Tennessee
draftyear=1999
draftround=2
draftpick=53
pastteams=
* Buffalo Bills (1999-2002)
* Atlanta Falcons (2003-2004)
* Dallas Cowboys (2005)
* Buffalo Bills (2006-2007)
status=
highlights=
* 2x Academic All-SEC (1996-1997)
* Second-team All-SEC (1998)
* SEC Championship MVP (1998)
* Pro Bowl alternate (2002)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=403
statlabel2=Receiving yards
statvalue2=5,281
statlabel3=Receiving average
statvalue3=13.1
statlabel4=Receiving touchdowns
statvalue4=31
nfl=PRI272527

Peerless LeCross Price (born October 27, 1976 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

Early years

Price was lightly recruited coming out of Meadowdale High School in Dayton in spite of being a high school All-American and was considered a spare part when he enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 1995. Despite the low regard he was held in coming in, Price showed how much he would be missed by the time his career ended after the 1998 season.

College career

As a freshman in 1995, Price appeared in 8 games in a backup role and showed glimpses of the potential that first attracted the Vols' interest. During his 1996 sophomore campaign, Price pulled in 32 receptions for 3 touchdowns and 609 yards; he excelled in a 35-29 loss to the University of Florida early in the season. In addition to gaining attention for his play on the field, Price showed he was no slouch in the classroom either by being named to the Academic All-SEC team.

When Joey Kent moved on following the 1996 season, Price stepped into the starting lineup full-time as a junior, where Peyton Manning found Price to be a dependable target. In the 1997 season, he started every game and emerged as a legitimate deep threat. He finished with 48 receptions, netting 698 yards and six touchdowns and helped guide the Vols to an SEC championship. He also was, for the second consecutive year, named an Academic All-SEC pick.

After Marcus Nash graduated, Price stepped into the top spot on the Vols' receiving corps for the 1998 season. In spite of the top two statistical receivers in school history being gone, Price ensured that the adjustment period would be minimal. In a tight game against Alabama, Price tied a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that sparked a Vols' victory and continued their success. Tennessee finished the regular season 11-0 and faced Mississippi State in the SEC Championship Game. With the Vols trailing by four points in the fourth quarter, Price pulled in a spectacular pass over the shoulder for a 41-yard touchdown. Tennessee won 24-14 and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Florida State to decide the national champion for the 1998 season.

In the final game of his career with Tennessee, Price showed a national audience what he could do. Although he caught only four of Tee Martin's passes the entire game, he made them count. Those four catches went for a total of 199 yards and the deciding touchdown en route to a 23-16 victory and the school's first consensus national championship in 47 years. For his performance, Price was named the game's co-MVP with Dwayne Goodrich. In spite of his exploits in college, Price still fell to the 2nd round of the 1999 NFL Draft, where he was drafted 53rd overall by the Buffalo Bills.

NFL career

Buffalo Bills (1999-2002)

Price enjoyed his greatest success as the secondary receiver for the Buffalo Bills. In 2002 he caught 94 passes for 1,252 yards, and nine touchdowns. His best game came on 9/15/02 when he caught 13 passes for 185 yds and 2 touchdowns including a 48 yard score in overtime, during a 45-39 victory against Minnesota. After the season the Bills knew they couldn't afford Price, but didn't want to lose him without compensation. They used the Franchise Tag to ensure that Price would be unable to sign elsewhere without the Bills receiving two first round draft picks, a price they knew that none were willing to pay. Price was given permission to seek a trade, and the Atlanta Falcons were willing to give up a first round pick in the 2003 draft for Price. The Bills would use it to select Willis McGahee.

Atlanta Falcons (2003-2004)

Price was supposed to be the great receiver that the Falcons needed to excel. He is regarded as a disappointment, as during his two year stint with in Atlanta, Price was unable to produce any breakthrough numbers, and was considered a great bust. The Falcons earned the NFC South division title and a bye in 2004 relying on great defense and the rushing game. He was released during the 2005 offseason. After being released, he sped off in a BMW, but not before screaming "I hate y'all" to members of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Dallas Cowboys

In 2005, he signed a one year deal with the Dallas Cowboys to be the third receiver and punt returner. He was also reunited with quarterback Drew Bledsoe, with whom he had shared so much success in Buffalo and who actively lobbied for his signing. Unfortunately, Price was not used much in the passing game, as Dallas employed multi-tightend formations to protect Bledsoe from frequent blitzers. It was also felt that Price did not run-block as well as other receivers in Dallas' ball-control offense. He was released on 12/03/05 after catching only 6 passes for 96 yards (with 58yds coming on a single pass).

Buffalo Bills (2006-2007)

Price re-signed with the Bills and regained his #2 Wide Receiver role but was placed on injured reserve on 10/19/07 after having season-ending neck surgery. While the numbers don't reflect it, Peerless' contribution to the Bills was key in changing the fortunes of their season after catching the game winning touchdown against the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

On February 14, 2008 the Bills released him. His career is in jeopardy because of his neck injury. The Browns and Seahawks have contacted him, but he has not been cleared to play.

Personal

Price loves fancy automobiles and is a fan favorite for his out-spoken personalityand sense of humor. He has listed "world travel" as something he wouldlike to pursue after football.

Trivia

Price was a high school and college teammate of current Chicago Rush wide receiver Andy McCullough.

External links

* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2151065 Cowboys hook receiver Price with $2-million offer (espn.com)]
*pro-football-reference|id=PricPe00|name=Peerless Price