While the focus of the Oakland Raiders' training camp surrounds the competition between Matt Flynn and Tyler Wilson, there are two other quarterbacks on the roster ready to make some noise. Head coach Dennis Allen has remained adamant that Flynn is the starter of the Raiders, the fight to remain on the roster is real for players like Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. As training camp kicks off, Pryor is impressing early.
Pryor is entering his third full season in the NFL. He saw extremely brief action last season, starting just the final game in place of Carson Palmer. Pryor represents a more new-aged NFL quarterback. He is mobile with great speed, but after the Raiders wrapped up a weekend of camp, it is clear the coaches want him to be a better passing quarterback and Pryor is answering.
"He's worked extremely hard at it, and any time you get a talented player that works extremely hard, he's going to get better," Allen said. "We're doing some things with him to try and take advantage of his talents. He's responding to that."
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson is determined to open up the playbook more this season and Pryor gives him that opportunity. His speed can be used on the perimeter, creating several mismatch problems. While Pryor's athleticism has never been questioned, his fundamentals and quarterback mechanics have kept him from emerging as a real NFL talent.
Pryor put in serious work in the offseason to fix issues with footwork and arm accuracy. He recruited former pitcher and quarterback guru Tom House, credited for his work with Tom Brady, to assist him. Pryor worked on lower-body positioning and footwork to help with his pass throwing abilities.
"I never really knew how to throw a football before," Pryor said. "It's coming along. I'm getting way better. I probably missed four or five throws out of 80, 85 throws today. I might ice my arm as a precaution tonight, but it feels great."
If Pryor can emerge as a dual-threat quarterback, he will easily make the Raiders' roster. The team is likely to only bring three quarterbacks into the season which would leave McGloin as the odd man out. Pryor can easily step in for Flynn as a more change-of-pace type player and allow Oakland to have more chances on offense. Quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo is putting in the time with Pryor and the results are showing.
