Terrelle Pryor to Oakland Raiders: Al Davis Strikes Again

The Oakland Raiders selected former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor in the third-round of Monday's supplemental draft. And while Raiders owner Al Davis has made some questionable decisions over the years, this one has to rank with the worst.

According to ESPN, Pryor will Pryor is expected to sign a four-year contract for $2.36 million, including a $591,000 signing bonus.

Now, it's not the money. And, it's not even that I believe Pryor will never amount to anything useful in the NFL. I do not, but that's not the point.

No, the problem I have with this decision is that they lose a third-round selection in the 2012 draft as a result.

So you don't think that's a big deal, eh? Well, let me educate you on third-round picks that have gone on to having stellar careers in the NFL.

Just looking at the past 10 years, you will find that Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was a third-rounder and he looks like he will be a perennial All-Pro.

Additionally, RB Frank Gore, LB Lance Briggs, TE Jason Witten and OLB Mike Vrable were all third-round picks in the last decade.

Add to that impressive list names like Brian Westbrook, Carolina WR Steve Smith, Ronde Barber, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor and Hines Ward, and it's easy to see that good players can be found later in the draft.

Heck, Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick. Jared Allen, Brandon Marshall and Asante Samuel were fourth-rounders, and Donald Driver lasted until the seventh-round.

But if that doesn't provide ample ammunition that this was stupid on the part of Davis and the Raiders, consider that Pryor can't even practice with the team until Week 6.

Look, there is a reason that no other players were selected in the supplemental draft.

Add to all that the character of the kid, having been involved in the memorabilia-for-cash scandal at Ohio State, and you have a situation that just doesn't add up for the Raiders.

Sure, at his Saturday workout, Pryor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and appeared to be in excellent shape.

Still, for Raider Nation to consider this a steal is silly. Although he is a QB by trade, the Raiders are said to want him as a receiver.

The Raiders now don’t have a pick in rounds two-through-four next year.

Is this the same Davis who was credited with the success of the 1970s Raiders? He is, after all, a Hall of Fame member and the same man who guided them to 13 division titles and three Super Bowls. 

But ever since John Madden left in 1979, the successes have been fewer and have been overshadowed by the quirky moves that the Raiders owner has displayed.

Oakland has become a proverbial rest home for veteran players on their way to retirement or an attempt to jump start a stagnant resume.

Meanwhile, owner and GM Al Davis strikes again.

From first round draft blunders such as JaMarcus Russell, Fabian Washington, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Sebastian Janikowski, getting rid of Jon Gruden, and the whole Lane Kiffin fiasco, Davis continues to prove his senility.

Maybe he's trying to lock up the dumbest owner title. Mike Brown, it's your move.