The Oakland Raiders are one of the most improved teams in the NFL after making a number of moves in the offseason and as training camp approaches Dennis Allen has been clear that Matt Flynn will enter as the starting quarterback.
According to NFL.com, Allen said that Flynn will be the starter when training camp begins and that for Tyler Wilson and Terrelle Pryor to make up ground they will have to prove that they can compete. Flynn has the advantage after being acquired in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks and Allen said that right now he is the starter and that even though there will be competition, he has the inside edge.
General manager Reggie McKenzie sees Flynn as the presumed starter and both of the backups will have to be very impressive to get ahead of him. Wilson and Pryor likely will duke it out over the backup job, with Wilson likely getting the edge after being a fourth round draft pick this past season. Reports say that the two young stars are having some trouble getting the playbook, which leaves Flynn as the best option going forward after years of learning behind Aaron Rodgers.
The Raiders made big moves by trading away last year's starter Carson Palmer and the team made a number of significant roster changes, letting go some high priced talent and signing solid names like Nick Roach, Kevin Burnett, Tracy Porter, Mike Jenkins and Charles Woodson. That group of players is expected to greatly improve the defense and after losing Brandon Myers in free agency the team drafted Nick Kasa to take over at tight end.
Flynn was ready to start last year in Seattle but he was beaten out by Russell Wilson and now he has the chance to make sure he stays ahead of another Wilson behind him this time around. The Raiders went 4-12 but there is a good chance they will improve after the moves they made.
"Matt's our starting quarterback as we go forward right now, and until the competition dictates otherwise, that's where we're going," Allen said Tuesday, via the Oakland Tribune.
