A Priceless Reaction from Tanner Price
There’s a lot to like about Tanner Price, even more after Wake’s 24-23 victory over Duke Saturday.
Price, as I’ve heard many times since Saturday, didn’t have one of his best games against the Blue Devils. Among those I’ve heard it from was Price himself.
“I completely agree with you,’’ Price said, standing outside the visitor’s locker room in the not-too-general vicinity of Wallace Wade Stadium. “I didn’t play well at all today, and I really stalled in the second half.
“That’s something I’ve got to work at.’‘
Price was good early, directing Wake to two touchdowns and a field goal in the first four possessions while completing his first eight passes and 10 of his first 13. But from the time the Deacons extended their lead to 17-0 on Brandon Pendergrass’ touchdown with 4:01 left in the first half, Price lost his edge, his focus, his touch, whatever you want to call it and managed only five completions on 12 attempts for a less-than-grand total of 82 yards—especially considering 66 of the yards came on the game-winning touchdown pass to Chris Givens.
Price could have mentioned that several passes were dropped, including two in a row by the usually sure-handed Michael Campanaro. He could have mentioned that his receivers had far more trouble getting open in the second half. He could have mentioned that not every play called would have called again if offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke had it do over again.
Price mentioned none of that.
“Honestly it was just me not being accurate,’’ Price said. “They were throws I think I can make – I know I can make. I was just off a little bit and that can’t happen.’‘
His coach Jim Grobe didn’t give his best passer a pass, but he did note the extenuating circumstances.
“We just weren’t very sharp,’’ Grobe said. “I thought Tanner missed some throws. We dropped a couple of balls. We had an opportunity make a couple of first downs.
“We were just killing our defense.’‘
One advantage I would hope my experience as a sportswriter has provided me is context. If not, I’ve wasted these past 37 years.
So here’s some context. Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player ever, struck out 1,330 times, no doubt many with the bases loaded and the Yankees needing a run or two to win. Johnny Unitas, in my mind at least pro football’s greatest quarterback, threw 253 interceptions—seventh most in NFL history. The incomparable Michael Jordan missed 1,445 free throws, turned the ball over 2,924 times and committed 2,783 personal fouls.
Even the best are going to have bad games. And that’s one big reason no team can play its best every game.
But for a team not to play its best and still win, on the road, against a team that has a serious score (or in this case 11 of them) to settle is, in its own way, really impressive. It’s even more impressive to realize how far and how fast the team had to come from last year to get where it could pull out a win by getting only one first down in the second half.
There were, as Price noted, lessons to be learned from Saturday’s game. Thankfully for Grobe and his team, Price has proven to be a player capable of learning them.
My last words to him Saturday were ``I don’t think anybody is worried about Tanner Price.’‘
I know I’m not.
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By Dan Collins on 10/24/2011 (10:21 am)
Comments
Dick H, I think most people would agree with you. The telling part of Tanner Price’s comments is that he still put more responsibility on his own shoulders than he probably deserved. That’s the mark of a good leader and the mark of a player that will always continue to try to improve and resist the temptation to be complacent and rest on his current skillset. This is all very encouraging.
And while he did not by any means have a “bad game”, he certainly was not as sharp as we have seen him in the past. This is, of course, normal. No one is capable of bringing their A+ game every time out. But the fact that he managed to make that A+ throw to Givens in the fourth quarter is another mark of a true winner. Even if you’re not playing your best and you have reason to be frustrated by other external circumstances, it is important to keep your focus, so you can seize the opportunity to make a big play when it arises.
Good job, Tanner and Chris. We look forward to seeing your respective A-games against UNC in a few days.
DC on 10/25/2011 (8:43 am)
You left out Richard Petty lost 984 races en route to his legendary career.
Doug on 10/25/2011 (1:46 am)
I was at the game and not once did I think that Tanner was having a bad game. He only got six chances in the 3rd quarter for cring out loud! For a bad game, what about the O line not opening up some holes for the runners once or twice during that same time period or the two chokes on catching the ball by Camp. And Tanner did hit a home run to Givens - on a throw that only he could make, IMHO. And Duke played great in its run game to take time off the clock, to make each Wake possession that much more valuable. To say Tanner - of all people - was having a bad game is ludicrous! Tanner - and the guttsy play of the defense - was the difference in the game! Clutch!
Dick H on 10/24/2011 (4:41 pm)
Dan,
You post game columns were better insight than most do in a thousands pages!!
Bobby
bobby h griffin on 10/24/2011 (4:28 pm)
Dan -
Nice piece on Tanner having an off game. It seemed like the second week in a row he was off, and I can’t help but wonder what role Josh Harris’ absence in both games played in that. Any chance you could put together an analysis piece on how teams are playing defense against our running game without Harris? It just seems like they don’t have to respect the run as much because Pendergrass is typically good for 5 to 15 yard runs, max, and doesn’t have that explosive potential to break open a long run like Harris. Is that fair? If so, how is it affecting our offense? How close is Harris to being healed? And if he’s still out late this week, does Grobe tap Orville Reynolds for the UNC game?
Thanks.
Tripp
TM on 10/24/2011 (12:16 pm)
Dan,
Tanner Price is turning into a very special player. I almost wish Grobe had kept the red shirt on him last year just because I’d like to see him play for another 4 years.
Great leader, terrific arm, not bad on his feet. If Price can develop a better throw on the run, look out…
Hal on 10/24/2011 (11:42 am)
The only quarterback who doesn’t have bad games nowadays is Aaron Rodgers. And considering that Tanner and the guys still got the win and had a pretty good first two quarters, it’s really not that bad of a game after all. So if this is Tanner’s worst game, you’re right, Dan - nobody is worried about Tanner Price (except for keeping him upright!).
Matt on 10/24/2011 (11:36 am)
Price is a very special player…glad that he will be around another two years…Just try to remain healthy!
Since Wake has not had the good fortune to play the ‘Heels the past couple of years, it would be extremely gratifying to all who frequent this site to see Wake extend the “Heels losing streak to three!!!
Tom Willis on 10/24/2011 (11:18 am)
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