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About Christopher Price

Christopher Price has covered the Boston sports scene for more then a dozen years, working for ESPN.com, SI.com and Baseball America as well as The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Miami Herald and Boston Metro. In that time, he’s established himself as an award-winning sportswriter who has been honored by Northeastern University, the New England Press Association and the North Carolina Press Association. In addition, he’s the author of the just published, “New England Patriots: The Complete Illustrated History” and two other books “Baseball by the Beach” and "The Blueprint: How the New England Patriots Beat the System to Create the Last Great NFL Superpower.”

 
COLUMNS
Christopher Price
05/13/2009 - 12:22am
Kevin Faulk thought Troy Brown was crazy. Well, maybe not crazy. But he still wasn’t sure why Brown, a former Patriots star, did some of the things he did in the twilight of his career to get his body ready to play. Back in the day, it was simple for Faulk: You just go out and play, right? The body will take care of itself.
Christopher Price
05/06/2009 - 11:23am
The Patriots have had a few guys pick up a surfboard the last few years. Junior Seau. Tom Brady. And now, long snapper Jake Ingram. The Hawaiian native, who was picked in the sixth round of the NFL Draft late last month, is an avid surfer. But he’ll gladly set aside the board while he helps the Patriots try and find out if there’s life after Lonie Paxton.
Christopher Price
05/04/2009 - 10:58pm
With Patriots’ rookie minicamp completed, here are the Top 5 questions remaining about New England’s 2009 rookie class.
Christopher Price
05/03/2009 - 7:42pm
This week marks the halfway point of the Patriots’ offseason. It’s been just over four months since the end of New England’s 2008 season, and it’s roughly four months before the 2009 regular-season opener against Buffalo. How have things changed for the Patriots since they walked off the field at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium after beating the Bills, 13-0, in Buffalo back on Dec. 28, 2008? And how do they look with the 2009 season looming on the horizon?
Christopher Price
05/01/2009 - 10:05pm
If an NFL career is like a journey, then Friday morning, many rookies took their first steps on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Thirty players -- 12 of whom were drafted last weekend by the Patriots, plus a handful of rookie free agents and assorted players there to fill out the minicamp roster -- got a taste of NFL life under the watchful eye of the New England coaching staff as part of the Patriots’ rookie minicamp.
Christopher Price
05/01/2009 - 12:35am
When he first met Tyrone McKenzie, Wally Burnham was skeptical. The former defensive coordinator at South Florida wondered why the school was taking a chance on a guy like McKenzie, who had already left Michigan State and Iowa State and was talking to him about playing at USF as a junior. For a coach, one transfer usually raises a red flag. Two transfers, and you might as well slap a “radioactive” sticker on a guy.
Christopher Price
04/28/2009 - 8:47pm
Plenty of young football players who make the NFL can usually point to a career-defining moment in high school, a singular event where they cement their status as a future pro. Not Patrick Chung. Chris Van Duin, Chung’s coach at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High School, remembers a high schooler who steadily advanced up the depth chart with hard work and dedication. A relatively undersized youngster who started his high school football career at age 12, there were no highlight-reel hits, no trail of college coaches beating a path to Rancho Cucamonga to see him play.
Christopher Price
04/27/2009 - 10:49pm
On a team that’s traditionally been stocked with veterans, players right out of college haven’t been asked to make sizable contributions in New England -- last year’s first-round pick Jerod Mayo was the exception rather than the rule. The 2003 rookie class was the last to make a serious mark as a group in its first year, as Ty Warren, Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel and Dan Koppen all saw extended action their rookie season.
Christopher Price
04/26/2009 - 11:39pm
Where to start? How about the seven deals? The trade of veteran cornerback and return man Ellis Hobbs to Philadelphia? Or the fact that in a Bill Belichick draft, the Patriots took just as many long snappers as they did linebackers? It was an exhausting weekend, chock full of surprises. In the end, New England added 12 new draftees -- the most ever since Belichick arrived in Foxborough as the head coach in 2000 – and picked up two more second-rounders in 2010, which right now, means the Patriots four picks in the first two rounds next year.
Christopher Price
04/26/2009 - 1:00am
Well, no one can accuse Bill Belichick of being wasteful.
Christopher Price
04/23/2009 - 11:33pm
Tom Petty was right: The waiting is the hardest part. This weekend will be alternately thrilling and terrifying for hundreds of college football players, most of whom will be sitting and waiting at home for their name to be called by Roger Goodell or any one of the other lower-level NFL executives who handle the later rounds of the NFL Draft.
Christopher Price
04/22/2009 - 11:47pm
1. Detroit. QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia. The only reason the Lions would pass on Stafford is if they had questions about his signability. If they can come to an agreement on the money, there’s no reason to think Stafford won’t go to the Lions. No matter who goes here, the thing I’ll miss most over the debate about No. 1 is the months of on-air skirmishes between Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. It’s like the Lincoln-Douglas debates, only with better hair ... and if one of them was arguing from a sports bar.
Christopher Price
04/21/2009 - 8:30pm
Bill Belichick and the Patriots always execute deals on draft weekend. Some of them are seismic in nature -- Randy Moss and Drew Bledsoe, for example. Some of them are for future considerations -- the deals that secured Ty Warren and Jerod Mayo fall into this category. And some of them are smaller deals that really don’t end up making much of an impact.
Christopher Price
04/20/2009 - 11:03pm
Predicting what the Patriots will do in the NFL Draft the last few years has been a difficult task -- they’re famous for keeping their cards close to the vest, and the annual two-day team-building exercise in April is no exception. But over the years, they have provided a few hints as to the kinds of players they like and where they like to take them. If you’re a New England football fan, consider this week’s edition of The Hot List a GPS for a journey through draft weekend.
Christopher Price
04/19/2009 - 6:12pm
With all due respect to Matt Cassel, no one can bring it like Tom Brady. Patriots running back Sammy Morris was reminded of that during a recent workout in Foxborough. Brady was throwing passes to Morris, and got a quick reminder that even after last year’s knee injury, No. 12 is unlike anyone else. “He threw me a ball, and you could still hear that little whistle on the ball,” Morris said recently in between workouts at Gillette Stadium. “It’s been a while since I heard that.
Christopher Price
04/16/2009 - 8:00pm
Jerod Mayo isn’t getting too comfortable. Not yet, anyway. Just because he’s coming off a first season in the pros where he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, became one of the cornerstones of the New England defense and led the Patriots in tackles, it doesn’t mean he’s settled into what he’s calling “veteran status.”
Christopher Price
04/15/2009 - 6:53pm
1. Detroit. QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia. The Lions and Stafford appear to be a compatible mix. Everything suggests that the Georgia product has the mental wherewithal to handle the pressure of being a No. 1 pick, and Detroit needs someone to deliver the ball to wide receiver Calvin Johnson on a regular basis. While he probably won't start the season as the No. 1 quarterback — "Don't you know who I am? I'm Daunte Culpepper! I made the Pro Bowl! You can't bench me!" — he'll likely be under center by the end of the year.
Christopher Price
04/13/2009 - 11:10pm
Everyone knows about the first-round studs that have had long and successful careers in New England -- Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, etc. But despite what Forbes Magazine may lead you to believe, the Patriots have had more than their share of success throughout all stages of the draft, including in the late rounds. And with the understanding that a true late-round success story can only come from pick No.
Christopher Price
04/06/2009 - 10:16pm
I got a ton of mail about last week’s edition of The Hot List, which looked at the top five first-round flops in Patriots’ history. Everyone from Tony Eason to Ken “Game Day” Sims to Gerhardt Schwedes and Ron Sellers was called into question.
Christopher Price
03/31/2009 - 12:12pm
By Drew Scott With a little less than two weeks until the end of the NHL regular season, WEEI.com goes one-on-one with the man who will be guarding the net for the Bruins throughout the playoffs, goaltender Tim Thomas. 
Christopher Price
03/30/2009 - 11:17pm
The Patriots haven’t really swung and missed on a first-round pick in several years, but history tells us that when they’ve missed, they’ve missed badly. Here’s our list of the five worst first-round picks in franchise history:
Christopher Price
03/30/2009 - 1:02am
Item No. 1: New Denver coach Josh McDaniels allegedly seeks out a trade for Matt Cassel before speaking with incumbent Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler feels alienated, lashes out at organization and demands a trade. Angry Denver fans launch www.savejaycutler.com and www.keepjayfiremcdaniels.com.
Christopher Price
03/24/2009 - 7:27pm
(The second in an occasional series that looks at college players who could be selected by the Patriots in next month’s draft.) Clay Matthews III has heard it all his life. Most 5-foot-7, 120-pound high school freshmen aren’t entertaining thoughts of life in the NFL. They’re not even thinking about playing high school football. They’re more concerned with not getting stuffed into a locker. Football? Really? Maybe you want to give something else a try. I hear the chess team is having tryouts tomorrow.
Christopher Price
03/23/2009 - 9:36pm
The Patriots will open their 2009 training camp in just over four months. With the understanding this list may need to be tweaked between now and the last week of July because of personnel decisions, here’s our take on who’s going to be drawing extra attention when the heat is on this summer.
Christopher Price
03/22/2009 - 8:42pm
Jamie Silva no longer feels like a stranger in a strange land. The former Boston College safety grew up in New England as a Patriots fan, but after a year with the Colts, he’s right at home in Indianapolis.


Audio On Demand

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow can…

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow cant play

Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.

It Is What It Is Cast, Jeff Howe

On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.

It Is What Is Cast: Injury Expert Will Carroll

In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and…

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

"Celtics Summer Cooler" With Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell - Hour 2

Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.

John Farrell postgame pre…

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell Manager's Show w/ Dave O'Brien

Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the last game of the Baltimore series. The skipper said that the Sox have played tough through this stretch of long games.

Jonny Gomes postgame with Joe & Dave after the third game in Baltimore

Jonny Gomes talked to Joe Castiglione & Dave O'Brien after the third game of the Baltimore series. The Sox slugger hit a homer and scored two runs in the win.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Barry Pederson on the gam…

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Bruins two wins away from the Cup

The guys opened the show discussing the Bruins' dominating Game 3 win over the Blackhawks. Gerry thinks the series is over.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Previews Game 3 between the Bruins and Blackhawks

Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and to preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup.

An hour with Jack Edwards…

An hour with Jack Edwards: Bruins look to take control of the Stanley Cup Final

We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for game three and beyond.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 06/17/13

Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. TO visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.

Previewing 'Hawks at Bruins Game 3 with the NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen

We talk about the Bruins big showdown with the Blackhawks tonight at the Garden with the lovely and knowledgeable Kathryn Tappen of the NHL Network.

Bernie Carbo

Bernie Carbo

Mikey gets a surprise call from Bernie Carbo, they talk about old time baseball and Bernie's new book.

Tom Bean and Luke Poling, Producers, Writers and Directors of Plimpton!

Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, Plimpton! and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything Plimpton accomplished during his life.

Daily Planet, Friday May 31st

Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.

Salk and Holley's Answer …

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/17/13

You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/13/13

The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/11/13

You ask, we answer... anything!

Bill Simmons is a sellout

Bill Simmons is a sellout

The guys opened the show discussing ESPN's NBA coverage and how Bill Simmons has lost his edge in recent years. Gerry praised Bill for anti-ESPN tweets following the coverage of Game 4.

More from this show

Stephen A. Smith on Doc t…

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Gam…

Shawn Thornton on the Game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.

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Is Doc a goner?

Is Doc a goner?

The guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.

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Minor Details Ep. 55: Xan…

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo

Both Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.

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