Pryor remains an intriguing QB prospect

Share

It's a question that will not go away for Terrelle Pryor. At least, not until he solidifies himself as an NFL quarterback. Or, as an NFL tight end. Or, as an NFL receiver.Catch my drift?Pryor still fancies himself a quarterback. Which is not news.What is newsworthy, though, is Pryor going into detail with a Pittsburgh newspaper about plans for him being under center last year at home against Kansas City on Oct. 23.RELATED: Terrelle Pryor statsNews
"I had a whole package for that game," Pryor told the Tribune-Review at a signing appearance over the weekend. "I was going to make a bunch of throws, but we ended up getting smashed and I was yanked. Who knows where it would have gone? I'm confident I would have been successful during that time. We were down 21-0, and we didn't run any plays."Actually, it was on the Raiders' first offensive series of the game, and with Kyle Boller in the shotgun formation on 3rd-and-1 from the Chiefs' 43-yard line, Pryor went in motion from the slot on the left. He stopped under center, took the snap and dived forward for no gain.But a flag flew and Pryor was called for a false start. Pryor returned to the sidelines, Boller threw an interception that was returned 59 yards for a touchdown and the Chiefs were on their way to a 28-0 blowout of the Raiders. Carson Palmer took over in the second half, when the score was 21-0, and Pryor never got on the field again.Semantics, right? WellThe questions as to Pryor's ultimate NFL position have dogged him since his days at Ohio State, where his involvement in a cash-and-tattoos-for-memorabilia scandal contributed to his having to serve a five-game suspension to start his career with the Raiders.And even though then-coach Hue Jackson insisted all along Pryor was a quarterback, no questions asked, there was always the feeling Pryor was Al Davis' pick in the supplemental draft, not Jackson's."The suspension put me way behind," Pryor told the paper. "But the future is bright, and I'm living in the future."I'm getting a fresh start with the new staff coming in. I'm going to learn the new system just like all the other quarterbacks. All I'm looking for is a fair shot."Of course, Palmer is the unquestioned starter.But is Pryor ready to be a full-time backup, one tweaked knee away from running the team?Rhett Bomar is the only other quarterback on the roster at the moment and there are rumblings the Raiders, who will gather as a team for the first time April 2 and will begin their first mini-camp April 17, would rather bring in a more established veteran to back up Palmer and allow Pryor to remain the third-string developmental QB.Matt Leinart, anyone?Leinart backed up Palmer in college at USC and was with incomingreturning Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knaap in Houston last year. So Leinart would already be familiar with the system. Plus, he's already working out in Southern California with Palmer.Still, there's no doubt Pryor, who said he's been working out with Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford and Taiwan Jones, is the most intriguing of quarterback prospectseven if so many have him excelling at another position.

Contact Us