The Oakland Raiders appear to take two steps back for every step forward. The team cannot seem to find momentum this year. While not much was expected of the young squad in the first place, they have shown signs of life, just zero signs on consistency. That was the case once again during a blowout loss the Kansas City Chiefs. With two games left in the season, the Raiders are starting to do more evaluating than winning.
The quarterback rotation was the headline for the Raiders. There were almost no positives to take away from the 56-31 loss to Kansas City, leaving head coach Dennis Allen to do more player evaluations during the game. While Matt McGloin once again got the start, he was subbed in for Terrelle Pryor, something that has become a constant in the last two games. Neither quarterback played well, leaving Allen searching for answers.
McGloin tossed four interceptions against Kansas City which was by far one of his worst performances as a starter. Pryor stepped in and provided very little relief, finishing the day going 1 of 4 for 12 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 19 yards. The rotation proved to be disappointing and not what Allen was hoping for. Pryor was meant to be a change of pace, not another weak link. Allen is just hoping both players can get over their growing pains.
"I think that's what happens a lot of times," Allen said, via the San Mercury News. "When you throw the ball late across the middle, those things can happen. Again, there's no excuses. We can't turn the ball over like that, but he is a young player. He's got to go through those growing pains and that learning process. It's tough. It's tough on all of us, but that's part of what we've got to do."
McGloin has been vocal about his distaste for the rotation. McGloin's excuse has been that the rotation throws off his momentum, but if the quarterback already does not have any going, it is hard to find the issue. The rookie understands this is all being done in order to evaluate who the future starter is for the team in 2014, but right now he is simply focused on the final two games, not the future.
"I'm trying to win games right now," McGloin said, "and I know that's the mindset of everybody else. It's not looking forward to the future, or looking forward to next season and just play this out. In this game, in this profession, that's all you can focus on is the next one."