Dennis Allen is only confirming what everyone knows, the franchise quarterback for the Oakland Raiders is likely not already on their roster. The team has yet to get it right at the position after three different players rotated in as starters in 2013. With the NFL Draft and free agency approaching, Allen is aware his team needs a quarterback that can be the best option for next season and the future. Matt McGloin and Terrelle Pryor are not that guy.
While speaking at the NFL scouting combine, Allen was asked if he believed the starting quarterback for 2014 was already on the roster. The Raiders head coach did not sound so confident.
"I don't know the answer to that yet. It's obviously a position we're going to look at to try and improve. The quarterback is the backbone of your team so we have to make sure that when we go out there this year we put ourselves in the best position to have success," Allen said, via the Contra Costa Times.
At the start of 2013 it appeared that Pryor could be the quarterback of the future. However, while he displayed moments of brilliance in his ability to create plays out of nothing, his arm strength and accuracy held him back more times than not. Allen described the quarterback as someone who is young and still needs time to develop while saying the Raiders might not be able to give him that option.
While a trade or release of Pryor could be coming in the near future, it appears McGloin is safe, but not as the starter. The rookie also showed moments of greatness and moments and weakness, but his future in Oakland might be brighter than Pryor's.
So where does Oakland look if both players are not the best fit next season? Allen says he certainly has had fun evaluating Johnny Manziel leading into the combine.
"He's a very talented player. He's a multi-dimensional player. He's able to throw the ball. He's able to throw the ball from the pocket, but also able to create things with his feet. As we get more into the process, he'll be a fun guy to really evaluate," Allen said.
Unless the Raiders make a blockbuster draft trade to move up for Manziel, he will be gone by the time the team makes their selection. Someone like Teddy Bridgewater could be the best option.
