On the Buffalo Bills’ final offensive drive of their preseason win over the Detroit Lions, it was a bit surprising to see No. 47 aligned at outside cornerback for the home team. Bobby Price has spent his career as a safety for the Lions, but there he was marking the top receiver on the field for Buffalo.
Price is in his second season out of Norfolk State. He stuck around on the Lions practice squad as an undrafted rookie, but he was facing an uphill battle to stick on the team at safety. In his first real test at cornerback, which he only started playing in practice earlier this week, Price flashed some legit potential.
That was Price making an excellent breakup on a crossing route, expertly swatting the ball away from a trail technique. He might have held some jersey a bit, but it was subtle enough to go uncalled. Price also had a smart run fill from the outside.
Coach Dan Campbell said after the game that Price’s length and athleticism make him a natural fit at cornerback.
“Bobby is very intriguing, very intriguing because he is a long, linear, explosive athlete who’s been playing safety. We think he can really help us on special teams, but now we’re not so sure that he may not be a corner because he runs so (well) and he is a really good athlete. Look, we’re intrigued. Look, we just made this – he really just started getting reps at corner a couple of days ago really. He’s still just using – he’s a baby fawn right now as it pertains to corner, but he’s so talented. We kind of feel like this may actually be the better move for him.”
Campbell then revealed the sales pitch he likely made to Price — the ability to make the team.
“To know that – let’s just say hypothetically, you start getting down to cut time and we know he can help us on special teams and he just continues to grow as a corner and develop, but also can play a little safety if you have to have it, that’s pretty valuable. So, our eyes are on Bobby Price,” Campbell enthused.
Price got beat over the top on a critical completion on Buffalo’s scoring drive. His raw technique on the outside showed, unfortunately. The move to cornerback is a smart idea for both Price and the Lions nonetheless. It’s an easy ticket to the practice squad for the superb athlete who is quickly becoming a more versatile asset for Detroit.
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