With another impressive performance in the books against the Chicago Bears, backup quarterback Terrelle Pryor appears to be receiving serious consideration as the starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.
Projected starter, Matt Flynn, will be resting this week while dealing with elbow tendonitis. Flynn only threw six passes against the Bears with two of those six being picked off by Chicago.
On Sunday, Pryor was given first-team reps in practice and was named the starter for the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks by head coach Dennis Allen according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com via Twitter:
Matt Flynn is being rested with elbow tendonitis (same issue as last year). Pryor will start versus Seattle. Take reps with 1s this week.
— Scott Bair (@BairCSN) August 25, 2013
Although Pryor is still a raw talent and needs to polish his game inside the pocket, the Ohio State product brings a different dynamic to this team. Pryor’s ability to be a force with his legs as well as his feet makes him the better option under center at this point in time.
Once given the nod by Allen last Friday, Pryor completed seven of nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Pryor also made his presence felt on the ground rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown on four carries.
With Raiders’ offensive line suffering due to the loss of injured left tackle Jared Veldheer, the team benefits from having a more mobile quarterback in comparison to a pocket passer. Pryor gives this team that dynamic leaving veteran Matt Flynn in the middle of yet another quarterback controversy as he tries to cement himself as a starter in the NFL.
Flynn has had to battle other quarterbacks on the depth chart ever since coming into the league fresh off leading LSU to a BCS Championship. Flynn played behind Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers and was beat out by rookie Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks last season.
It remains to be seen if Flynn will be able to retain the role as a starter in Oakland if Pryor has another solid performance at the expense of Flynn’s former team on Thursday night. Rookies Matt McGloin and Tyler Wilson are also hoping to keep their jobs as the third and fourth options on the Raiders’ quarterback depth chart.
