Depth Added: The Chicago Bears Land Defensive Tackle Price from Tampa Bay
Published by Jake Perper on July 26, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears reportedly acquired defensive tackle Brian Price today from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2013 seventh-round draft pick. The trade is pending a physical, of course.
Price was a second-round pick out of UCLA in 2010. He appeared in 20 games, making 14 starts in two seasons with the Buccaneers.
He made 24 tackles and three sacks last season as a starter at defensive tackle.
At 6’1″ and 303 lbs, Price becomes the 90th player on the Bears’ roster.
He could earn a roster spot due to his experience with a similar defensive scheme in Tampa Bay.
DT Matt Toeaina from before practice: ‘I feel confident with what we have, [but] we might need a little more depth at defensive tackle.’
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) July 26, 2012
Price reportedly has somewhat of a mean streak. During an offseason program in June, Price punched rookie safety Mark Barron multiple times in the face.
Barron was bleeding after teammates broke the altercation up, and Price was excused from Bucs minicamp a couple weeks later because of it.
His older sister died in a car accident in May, and his two brothers were killed during his childhood as well. So, he’s dealt with some serious issues, and his agent, Charles Price (no relation to Brian), said it took a toll on him [Price] this offseason.
The other issue that is lingering with Price is his health. He had two offseason surgeries aimed at keeping his hamstrings attached to his pelvis, according to the LA Times.
His agent said this about his health a couple of days ago:
Physically, he’s ready to go. He is still working through tremendous amounts of scar tissue that, when they bump up against the sciatic nerve, send sensations throughout the body. For at least another year, there are always going to be lingering issues from the procedures that he’s had to have done.
Could the fresh start in Chicago help Price get back to his steady play? We’ll just have to wait and see.
The move is certainly not a big risk. Trading away a late-round pick for a guy who is filled with potential is a no brainer.
If anyone can get the best out of Price, it would be the Bears defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli.
Marinelli continues to help the Bears defensive line improve each season he’s been in town.
Price will have to stay healthy to have a shot at the 53-man roster come late August.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
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