In 2008, quarterback Terrelle Pryor was a hot commodity as he had his choice of some of the top college football programs to play for. It ultimately came down to three prominent Big Ten Conference schools as Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State sought the native of Jeannette, Pennsylvania to play for them. Eventually Pryor settled on Ohio State. At the end of his sophomore season Pryor led Ohio State to a Rose Bowl victory as he would go on to be the game’s MVP. At the end of Pryor’s junior season the revelations came out about “Tattoogate” as several Ohio State players (including Pryor) exchanged their game memorabilia for money and tattoos. Pryor claimed that he sold his game memorabilia in order to help his mother catch up on her overdue rent. Ohio State and the NCAA didn’t see it that way and thus Pryor was exiled.
In June 2011, Pryor withdrew from Ohio State as he focused on a potential career in the National Football League. It was too late for Pryor to enter the 2011 NFL Draft, but he was eligible for the NFL’s Supplemental Draft. In the third round of the Supplemental Draft, the Oakland Raiders came calling for Pryor’s services.
Pryor spent the last two seasons on the Raiders bench behind quarterback Carson Palmer. Last off-season Palmer was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, but Raiders head coach Dennis Allen wasn’t ready to give Pryor the starting position as the team acquired quarterback Matt Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks.
Heading into training camp it appeared as if Flynn would get the nod to be the Raiders starting quarterback, but as the summer progressed, Allen decided to go with Pryor.
In Week 1, Pryor was 19-for-29 passing with 217 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Pryor also had 112 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough as the Raiders fell to the Indianapolis Colts 21-17. The game showed Pryor’s potential and it also marked the only game this season that Pryor has thrown an interception.
Through five games this season the Raiders have already won two football games which is half of their win total from 2012. In the Raiders 27-17 victory this past Sunday night over the San Diego Chargers, Pryor was impressive. Pryor was 18-for-23 passing with 221 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns. It did not take Pryor that long to get going as he connected with wide receiver Rod Streater on the Raiders first offensive play of the game for a 44-yard touchdown pass. The Raiders never trailed in the contest as the early bomb got the home crowd at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum into the game immediately. The play was also reminiscent of what the Raiders franchise has been known for which is throwing the football deep down the field.
At 6’4″, 233 lbs., Pryor is an imposing figure in the pocket. Pryor is also extremely athletic as through five games he is the Raiders leading rusher with 229 yards.
At 24-years of age Pryor gives Raiders fans hope for the future, but he also gives the Raider organization stability. Since the Raiders last playoff appearance in 2002, they have used 16 different starting quarterbacks which explains why they have not had a winning record since then.
On the season Pryor is completing 68 percent of his passes and as I previously mentioned he is not turning the football over. Allen has complete trust now in Pryor which was illustrated by the Raiders releasing Flynn yesterday. Last season with the Seahawks, Flynn was brought in to be the starting quarterback until Russell Wilson emerged as a rookie in leading the Seahawks to the playoffs. Now the Raiders are hoping that Pryor can do the same. The silver and black is long overdue for a playoff berth and they have a shot with the young Pryor leading the way.
Source: Pro-football-reference.com
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