Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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Keith Price’s roller-coaster CFL career will reach its highest point yet on Sunday afternoon in Montreal.
The Riders quarterback will get his first career professional start against the Alouettes, just two weeks after making his debut in green and white.
“This is a huge opportunity,” said Price.
“It’s definitely different because you’re starting. But, it will be fun. I’m embracing this opportunity, the guys are rallying behind me and hopefully we can pull off a W.”
Price hasn’t started at QB since his last game with the University of Washington Huskies on Dec. 27, 2013 in the Fight Hunger Bowl when the Huskies won 31-16.
Since then, Price’s career has been filled with ups and downs. Price went un-drafted in the NFL before signing with the Seattle Seahawks, but that experience didn’t last long.
Price first joined the Riders late in the 2014 season before leaving the team in the off-season. He eventually re-joined the Riders after Darian Durant suffered his torn Achilles tendon during week one this year.
Without ever attending a training camp with the team, Price admits he’s had a long learning curve to get to this point.
“It’s been tough, especially with no camp, coming in; I don’t know, week three, four of the season and trying to grasp a whole new offence and new concepts. I’ve handled it well; I’ve studied day in and day out since I’ve been here. I promised to God I would not let this opportunity slip and here I am,” he said.
Price hasn’t had to learn the ropes of a new offence and a new league on his own.
The Compton, California native has had plenty of support, especially from a veteran group of receivers that includes the likes of Weston Dressler and Rob Bagg.
“These guys almost sound like quarterbacks out there sometimes. They’re telling me, ‘we get this look, this is what I’m going to do.’ It’s always good to have guys like that playing with you and for you,” he said.
“The timing and stuff, that’s their strong suit, running great routes.”
Odds are good that a lot of change is around the corner for the Riders.
With that in mind, Price knows he has a big opportunity to put some good things on film in hopes of finally getting to attend his first training camp with the Riders.
“Any time I step on that field, I put my best foot forward. You’re going to get 100 per cent out of Keith Price,” the quarterback commented.
Price knows he has a lot to learn.
“We all make mistakes; it’s about how to rebound from those and what you’re going to do next. I think what it takes to kind of take my game to the next level. When things go wrong, being able to bounce back and just staying true to me reads.”
Even though Price is getting the start, interim head coach Bob Dyce suggested this week that Brett Smith could still see some time under centre as well.
