Oakland Raiders and Al Davis Take a Risk on QB Terrelle Pryor

I have always always been a supporter of the Raiders interest in Terrelle Pryor. I had no problem with the third round selection in the Supplemental Draft at all, even though many believed it to be a reach. Though I was in support of the Raiders acquiring Pryor, I wasn't exactly desperate for his talents.

Until of course I saw Trent Edwards and Kyle Boller play against the San Francisco 49ers. Then I thought to myself, "The Supplemental Draft is on Monday right? Because we need help ASAP!"

We have all heard about the Oakland Raiders drafting Ohio State Quarterback Terrelle Pryor. I for one, support this pick wholeheartedly. Pryor gives the Raiders an athletic specimen at the quarterback position that Al Davis loves. Pryor's presence gives the Raiders a quarterback that has a lot more upside than any other quarterback on the current roster.

For the record, I am not a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. So I don't follow the Ohio State hype that comes during every college football season. I will say however, that I am a fan of college football as a whole. In my opinion, Terrelle Pryor was the funniest quarterback to watch since Michael Vick.

Does that mean he is a polished quarterback? No, but lets not discredit Pryor for what every college quarterback is recruited to do—win football games.

That is exactly what Pryor did in his time in college. He won!

With a record of 31-4 and two MVP awards in Bowl games, Terrelle Pryor had the kind of college career that most people would dream of. However, that was all tainted due to Pryor's off the field decisions.

Now, all of a sudden, after spending the majority of his football career at the quarterback position, Pryor all of a sudden can't cut it at the NFL level. All of the so called "experts" who praised Pryor for his play on the field, now see him making a position change, which makes no sense at all.

Is it because of his skill set? 6'6, 235lbs, and 4.36 speed. Sounds like a Pro-Bowl wide receiver right now, am I right?

Well if I'm not mistaken, Washington quarterback Jake Locker is 6'4, 231lbs, and ran a 4.5. which is a very respectable time for a QB. Locker's accuracy is just as questionable as Pryor's.

Let's not even bring Michael Vick into this discussion because we all know what his athleticism brings, and the accuracy issues he had early in his career.

I don't remember anyone talking about them changing positions.

Why is it that whenever an analyst talks about Tim Tebow making a position change, it sounds like a joke, but when Pryor's name is brought up in the same vain, it's as if quarterback is not even an option?

Well maybe, it's because Pryor never won the National Championship.

But Peyton Manning never won a Championship on any level until he was an eight year veteran in the NFL. No, I am not comparing Pryor to Manning but you get the point.

I know what it is. Pryor's mechanics is the reason for all the hatred right? Well that can't be it, because Vince Young is considered a quarterback only despite his mechanics and athletic ability, and could one day be a starter again. Phillip Rivers was criticized for his motion and he is considered a top ten quarterback after seven years.

Is it racial? That is a discussion for the comments section, because I really don't want this article to be about that. But I would be lying to my readers if I said it hadn't crossed my mind.

Terrelle Pryor deserves to live out his dream to play quarterback the exact same way all of these other examples got to live theirs, despite their flaws.

The Oakland Raiders are going to give Pryor that opportunity. Though I think the Raiders, Al Davis in particular, need to be honest about why Pryor is here.

Do the Raiders truly believe Pryor can be the future?

What does this mean for Jason Campbell?

Is this Al Davis' opportunity for redemption?

The last question I believe is the biggest. Al Davis is a historic owner who has done so much for the NFL. But he finds himself a bit disrespected as well over the past decade. He was criticized for his faith in former number one pick Jamarcus Russell. If this is about redemption, I think Davis should be honest with himself about that, even if he won't admit it to anyone else.

Whatever the answers to those questions, Pryor is getting his opportunity now. I will support that, not criticize it.