Pryor’s got potential as a Patriot

There was no sack dance for Myron Pryor. Not even after bringing down a quarterback for the first time in his first start in his first game. The rookie defensive lineman knows better than that.

After he tackled Eagles star Donovan McNabb for a 6-yard loss in the Patriots’ 27-25 preseason win Thursday, he received a head-butt from Tully Banta-Cain, and that was it.

“They give us rookies a hard time, (saying), ‘Don’t do too much,’” said Pryor, a 6-foot-1, 310-pound sixth-round pick from Kentucky. “I felt good about getting my first NFL sack. But I can do a lot better.”

Pryor, who had two tackles and a quarterback hurry, isn’t big on demonstrative acts of celebration, anyway. Nor does he like to bring attention to himself.

“He’s a quiet kid,” said Rick Petri, his defensive line coach in college with the Wildcats. “He sat four years in my meeting room, and we didn’t hardly get a word out of him. But (the players) respected him. They all looked at him to be someone who was out there in front, with good work ethic, moreso than speaking.”

Out for most of camp with an injury, Pryor has flown under the radar, while fellow rookies Pat Chung, Julian Edelman and Sebastian Vollmer have attracted attention.

He only began practicing a few days before the game and was admittedly winded several times. Improving his fitness level is a must to play like he can.

“The coaches said that for a guy like me to have a good motor like that, you have to be in real good shape,” Pryor said. “That’s one of my main goals.”

His major highlight Thursday came in the second quarter.

Lining up alongside Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork in the 4-3 look, Pryor shrugged off guard Nick Cole, chased McNabb as he stepped up in the pocket, and appeared to fall down after a hit from the side.

Yet Pryor kept his feet moving and took McNabb down.

It was a perfect example of why he garners optimism, despite practicing so little. His motor didn’t stop, and he adapted quickly after discovering where the play was developing.

“He’s got a good natural feel for the game,” coach Bill Belichick said. “The defense we play is quite a bit different from what they played at Kentucky, but he’s learning a lot of new techniques. He was very well-coached by coach (Rich) Brooks, some excellent defensive coaches, and an excellent defensive line coach. His fundamentals and his background are very good.”

Belichick downplayed any significance to Pryor starting and said he’s far from a finished product. He did not deny potential.

“There were some plays that certainly left something to be desired,” Belichick said, “but he did show up productively and made a few plays. … Myron is a talented kid.”

Pryor clearly didn’t expect to play as much as he did Thursday. As for starting, he laughed and said, “It’s preseason.”

But significant snaps early is not a rarity for him. He started as a freshman at Kentucky, finishing his career with 118 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Petri wasn’t surprised with Pryor’s early success with the Pats.

“He was a very explosive, powerful player for us,” Petri said. “He can be a playmaker. He just needs to work and to get comfortable.”

Much of what makes Pryor successful is the way he reacts quickly during a play. His ability to recognize in-game situations will increase with time.

“So much to defensive football is reacting,” Petri said. “And you got to be in lineup to do that. Get reps and take advantage of them. That’s something he’s always done.”

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