Not So Peerless

The Falcons have cut WR Peerless Price. He was acquired through a trade with the Bills in 2003. You can read the news story about this trade here. Sean Salisbury said of the trade at the time:

This is a huge move for Atlanta. The Falcons needed a big-time wide receiver who can break open a game, and they got him in Peerless Price. Atlanta will be a dangerous team in 2003. This deal is a win for Atlanta because Price is a proven commodity. He's emerging as one of the NFL's great stars(emphasis mine).

That was a bit optimistic. Salisbury also said: "Price could catch a 100 balls this season." Well, he did manage to catch 109 balls, it just took 2 seasons. Price received a $37 million dollar contract, which means he ended up being paid $9,026 per yard and $2.1 million per touchdown. Pricey.

Price was traded for the #23 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Bills selected Willis McGahee with this pick. If the Falcons had held on to this pick, they could have drafted WRs like Anquan Boldin, Bethel Johnson, Tyrone Calico, or Kevin Curtis. Only one is a well-known WR, but none are as big a disappointment as Price.

I think a quote from Bob Barker in Happy Gilmore best sums up the situation: "The price is wrong..."

Speaking of disappointments, Chad Hutchinson has been cut by the Bears. You may remember Hutchinson from the post below. In five days he went from starter to unemployed. That's what you call responding to pressure. He's being replaced by rookie Kyle Orton, who also has a history of wilting under pressure. Good luck, Kyle.