Terrelle Pryor: Why Pryor Is Worth the Risk for the Oakland Raiders

When Terrelle Pryor decided not to return to Ohio State University, his name was almost immediately connected to the Oakland Raiders.

That could be due to his physical talents and owner Al Davis' love for measurables. It could be due to the fact that Pryor has had some off-the-field issues, and the Raiders do not have a reputation for shying away from those kinds of players. Another reason could be that the Raiders have a serious need for quarterback depth.

Whatever the reason, Pryor's name has been connected to the Raiders more than any other team in the National Football League. It seems that Pryor has made plans to enter the supplemental NFL draft, and the Raiders have the opportunity to draft the athletic quarterback that they could not attain in the 2011 NFL draft, when Colin Kaepernick was drafted by local rivals the San Francisco 49ers.

In my opinion, I think the Raiders should take the opportunity to have a quarterback that gives them a certain level of upside. After starter Jason Campbell, the Raiders' quarterback position is not very attractive. Kyle Boller has been re-signed, but he is not the most reliable player. The Raiders are willing to part ways with Bruce Gradkowski, and Charlie Frye may also be looking for a new home.

Pryor is a talent but also a risk; however, the risk may also reap reward.

He Is NOT JaMarcus Russell!

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the bench during the NFL game against the Denver Broncos on September 8, 2008 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 41-1

I think one of the reasons that some fans are wary of Terrelle Pryor is because the failure that was JaMarcus Russell is still very fresh in the minds of Raider Nation. Some of Pryor's off-the-field issues definitely do not help his case.

However, Pryor's issues have nothing to do with his love of football. Russell's behavior, however, displayed his lack of love for the sport and his selfish intentions. Russell did not have the drive to be great, but he enjoyed the benefits of an NFL paycheck.

Pryor has shown that he wants football in his life. If not, why would he be working out with an NFL receiver such as Chad Ochocinco, a player many Raider fans have expressed interest in?

The Investment

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin

The investment behind Terrelle Pryor is completely different than JaMarcus Russell's as well. Instead of the first overall pick in the draft, we are talking about a supplemental draft pick.

Pryor's agent Drew Rosenhaus, also the agent of Raider wide receiver Louis Murphy, has expressed his opinion that Pryor will not get out of the supplemental draft's first round. The likelihood of that happening is extremely slim. In fact, even a third-round pick would be a bit of a stretch.

Why? Because whatever round a team decides to take a pick in, it gives up that pick in that round in the conventional draft the next year.

Now, a fifth-round pick for Pryor is much more of a reasonable round, because no team is going to want to give up an early to mid-round pick for next year.

A Mentor: Jason Campbell

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders in action against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

One of the reasons Pryor is worth the risk is because he doesn't need to play right away. I have shown my faith in Jason Campbell in the past, and I still believe he will be the quarterback that leads this team to the playoffs and hopefully beyond.

The fact is, though, even if Campbell played at a Pro Bowl level, how long could he play at that level at this stage of his career? He is not that old, but I wouldn't call him a youngster either.

Even if Campbell played at a high level, we are only talking about a solid four years and not too much longer. Remember, Aaron Rogers had to sit for four years before he took the reins for Green Bay.

I think Campbell is the right QB to help Pryor be a true professional. He can help him in the film room and playbook. He could show Pryor what it takes to be a reliable QB in the NFL.

Some may feel Campbell could have a problem being a mentor, but I disagree. He may not flock to the idea, but you would think he would be open to the idea of helping a young quarterback not go through the same things he had to.

The Raiders have shown their faith in Campbell, and I don't think Pryor's presence changes that.

The Coaching Staff

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since Ma

Some fans have expressed that Pryor is unnecessary because the Raiders have never been known as a team that can develop a quarterback that it actually drafts. Though that is true, you could make the case that many NFL teams have that same reputation. Besides, you can't depend on free agent quarterbacks forever. Eventually, you are going to need to invest in a young quarterback.

Despite the Raiders' failure to develop a young signal caller, they haven't had this good of a coaching staff in quite some time. I think now is the perfect time to develop a young QB, especially if he is going to come at a pretty decent price.

Head coach Hue Jackson has a reputation for developing skill positions. In fact, I think that is one of the reasons Al Davis hired Jackson as offensive coordinator and eventually head coach.

New offensive coordinator Al Saunders also has experience developing skill positions both at quarterback and wide receiver.

With all that in mind, I think now is the time to take a chance on a young quarterback.

Team Maturity

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after making a tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 15, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

There was a time where the Oakland Raiders were one of the most undisciplined teams in the NFL—a time when the team that made stupid penalties on the field matched the foolish team in the locker room. That time is over. The Raiders are much more focused in their endeavors to reach the playoffs and renew their winning ways.

This is the kind of locker room that has been through some adversity and is now trying to move past it—and that is the kind of locker room that fits Pryor best.

I made the case that Pryor would not need to start right away. Imagine the kind of team we will have when he finally is under center. Keep in mind that center will be a veteran who has a bloodline with the Silver and Black. Stefen Wisniewski will be in the middle of a young but experienced offensive line that has been together for a decent period of time.

The receiving corps should finally be where the Raiders believe they are headed, and Darren McFadden should still be in the prime of his career.

We will have a defense led by a smart and well-adjusted middle linebacker in Rolando McClain, and if our young corners live up to their potential, this defense will be one of the most versatile in the league.

Pryor would just be the icing on the cake.

Upside

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

I have been of the opinion that the Oakland Raiders need the kind of young quarterback that gives them a certain level of upside. The same way the Chargers had Charlie Whitehurst before they shipped him to Seattle for a draft pick. The way the New England Patriots invested in rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett.

The Raiders need the kind of player that can spark interest, even if it is only with limited playing time. Pryor gives the Raiders that kind of leverage.

If things work out, than Pryor could be the kind of player that keeps this team relevant for a long period of time. If they don't work out, then at least the Raiders took a chance with little investment.

I think the Raiders should definitely be aware.