Pryor to star final preseason game.

[BUCK3Y3 44]

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Terrelle Pryor will have the stage to himself in a final audition to win the Raiders' starting quarterback job.

 

Coach Dennis Allen said Sunday that Matt Flynn won't play in Oakland's preseason finale Thursday night at Seattle, opening the door for Pryor to make his first start.

 

"It's probably more of a precautionary measure on my part than it is anything else," Allen said. "We'll get a chance to see Terrelle this week with the first-unit offense up against Seattle, and we'll see how he does."

 

The two quarterbacks have been engaged in an increasingly tight competition to run the Raiders offense since the beginning of training camp.

 

Flynn has been the starter throughout camp but there has been a growing groundswell of support for Pryor as Oakland's starting offense has struggled in the preseason.

 

Pryor, who led four scoring drives after replacing Flynn in the second quarter Friday night in a loss to Chicago, has been the Raiders' most effective quarterback so far. He is the team's second leading rusher with 83 yards on 11 carries.

 

The former Ohio State star also is pretty savvy, and he didn't put any significance on his first start of the preseason.

 

"Coach told me what the deal was, that Matt wasn't playing on Friday and he wanted me to jump with the first team and lead them into Seattle," Pryor said. "I'm definitely not all the way there in terms of the playbook and in terms of just being a quarterback out there. Don't get me wrong, I can lead if I was called upon to do it. I'm just out there getting better and trying to get in synch with the guys."

 

Flynn was essentially handed the starting job after being acquired in a trade from Seattle during the offseason, but the 28-year-old quarterback hasn't looked sharp. He has completed more than 70 percent of his passes but most have been check-down throws or short-range tosses.

 

Injuries to Oakland's offensive line haven't helped, either. Second-round pick Menelik Watson, who missed most of training camp with a calf injury, practiced at left tackle on Sunday and will start against the Seahawks even though he has never played the position until now.

 

That is why many feel the athletic Pryor -- who made his only NFL start during the Raiders' final regular-season game in 2012 -- might be a better fit.

 

"That's my goal, to be a starting quarterback and to lead a team to wins," Pryor said. "I won't stop until it happens. Until it happens and keeps on happening, I'll keep on pushing."

 

Allen praised Pryor following the game against Chicago, in which he threw one touchdown and ran for another, but noted the third-year quarterback is still very much a work in progress.

 

"When you have guys who have athletic talent like he does and they work as hard as he has, guys are going to get better, and he's improved," Allen said of Pryor. "It'll be a good thing to see him in another game situation against a really good defense on the road in that environment and see how he responds."

 

With less than two weeks until the season opener in Indianapolis, Allen is in the uniquely strange position of trying to pick a starting quarterback when one of them is unavailable.

 

Flynn was bothered by tendinitis in his right elbow while with Seattle, and the Raiders believe it is similar to what the quarterback is dealing with now.

 

"It's hindered him a little bit," Flynn said. "I don't think it's been a major factor when we've gotten into games. I just think it's one of those things that we've got to manage.

 

"I don't want to make it out to be any bigger of an issue than it is."

 

They are talking like this could be his opportunity to lock down the starting job over Flynn. While Pryor is still rough around the edges he has progressed somewhat as a passer. I've seen him make some really good passes, but I've seen him make bad ones as well. His biggest problem is easily decision making. The only way he is going to get better in that department is getting game reps. He definitely is dangerous with his legs. If I was a Raiders fan I would want Pryor to start. The Raiders are going to have an abysmal season its almost unavoidable but Pryor would be more entertaining to watch. He has potential. I shouldn't want Pryor to succeed and do well, but I do.

Edited August 26, 2013 by BUCK3Y3

[BJORN 679]

I can't believe the Raiders will roll into the season with Pryor as the starting QB. Should be quite a sight to see if it happens.

[Bay 2,003]

Pryor please.

[KempBolt 498]

Will be way better than Flynn given that line. They need someone who can scramble like mad.

[BUCK3Y3 44]

If nothing less he will provide entertainment for depressed Oakland fans. Always kept me on the edge of my seat when he pulled the ball down and took off.

[KempBolt 498]

If nothing less he will provide entertainment for depressed Oakland fans. Always kept me on the edge of my seat when he pulled the ball down and took off.

 

That jump throw the other night was pretty nifty.

[BUCK3Y3 44]

That jump throw the other night was pretty nifty.

 

I liked the bullet he threw through defenders for the TD.

Edited August 26, 2013 by BUCK3Y3

[BUCK3Y3 44]

 

1:34 Meh guess it wasn't much of a bullet but it was a good throw in traffic.

[Jayrus 51]

I kinda feel bad for Matt Flynn. Losing out on a starting job twice in as many years. Even after he lost out to Wilson I thought he was good enough to start somewhere else with so many QB needy teams. I mean, this is Terrelle Pryor he's losing to. All you have to do to beat him is to be average, and you're really telling me Flynn can't even manage THAT? Well, there's always the Jets. I hear they're thinking about starting a mannequin in a Jets uniform. Flynn would definitely be an upgrade over that.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Losing a job to Russell Wilson is understandable, he's the best Qb to come out of the draft in 10-ish years, he's just short. Losing a job to Pryor is a much tougher pill to swallow.

[BC 331]

Matt Flynn needs to get some black skin and some wheels so he can start winning QB competitions

Edited August 26, 2013 by BC

[BUCK3Y3 44]

Flynn is a bum. Matt Casselesque

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

The Contra Costa Times believes QB Terrelle Pryor could sew up the Raiders' starting job by "(showing) leadership and avoiding turnovers" in Thursday's preseason finale.

Most signs suggest the Raiders have already decided to go with Pryor over Matt Flynn, but perhaps he could lengthen his rope with a strong showing in hostile Seattle. Barring a Geno Smith-esque face-plant, Pryor should have the job on lockdown. Flynn's terrible preseason play and "sore arm" have seen to that. Aug 28 - 7:22 PM

 

Source: Contra Costa Times

 

Raiders OC Greg Olson believes his scheme can "maximize" Terrelle Pryor’s talents and "allow him to progress" as the season goes on.

Pryor has emerged as the favorite to start Week 1 over Matt Flynn after outplaying him in the first three preseason games. The Raiders are expected to adjust their scheme to his strengths, rather than ask him to run a traditional West Coast offense. "When you see Terrelle in a game, he just looks faster than the other players," Olson said. "That’s what jumped out at me. We’ll continue to work to develop him, but we don’t want to take away from his strengths. Right now we’re looking for playmakers." Aug 28 - 10:17 PM

 

Source: CSN Bay Area