NFL: How Can Terrelle Pryor Contribute to the Raiders Quarterback Position?

There was a ton of hype surrounding the Oakland Raiders and Terrelle Pryor after the team selected him in the supplemental draft.  The Raiders forfeited their third-round pick in next year's draft to take a chance on the freakishly athletic Pryor.  

I believe this move is well worth the risk. In this article I hope to define where I see Pryor fitting in at the quarterback position.  

Jason Campbell Is the Man Behind the Shield in Oakland

Jason Campbell is the team's starting quarterback, and that is not likely to change anytime soon.  He is in his second year with the Raiders and all reports from camp have pointed to a new comfort level.

He is more assertive in the huddle and is being counted on to lead the offense and this team into contention for a playoff spot.  

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Campbell can still look hesitant at times during the game.  He seems to double clutch and take something off the ball when throwing downfield as well. 

If Campbell seemed more decisive in the pocket, I would have a lot more confidence in his abilities.  It is preseason and working with timing routes and different receivers could be part of the issue.

He is also being tasked with running a pretty "vanilla" offense with an offensive line that still has some moving pieces. I don't see Daniel Loper starting and have a hard time believing Khalif Barnes even makes the team. 

All in all, I believe Campbell will settle in and have a very respectable season. He could approach some lofty numbers if the Raiders start Denarius Moore from Game 1, and Hue Jackson and Al Saunders find a way to utilize the myriad of offensive weapons at their disposal.   

Trent Edwards Will Be the Backup to Campbell

Trent Edwards is more than a serviceable backup in the NFL.  He was highly regarded coming out of Stanford and was taken by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2007 draft.

He was regarded more for what he did at Los Gatos High School than what he did for the Stanford Cardinal.  He was limited by injuries in all but his junior year at Stanford and had a relatively lackluster career there.

He has yet to approach the promise he showed at Los Gatos High School when he was considered one of the best pro-style quarterbacks by USA Today and Rivals.com.  That was after back-to-back undefeated seasons and two Central Coast Section Div. III championships. 

He is a strong-armed quarterback, which we all love, not just Al Davis.  He also comes from Stanford, so you know he has the intelligence to play the position.  So what held Edwards back when he came to the NFL?

Oh right, he went to Buffalo!  

The Bills had so many problems protecting Edwards I'm surprised he still knows who he is.  After a short stint in Jacksonville, he comes to the Raiders.  I think this was a really smart move, as he will solidify the depth behind Campbell. Should anything happen to Campbell, at least we won't have to sit through Kyle Boller!

Which leads me to my next point...

Kyle Boller Is on Borrowed Time

Kyle Boller was brought to the Raiders because he was familiar with Hue Jackson from their time in Baltimore.  He was a safe backup for the simple fact that he already knew the playbook and terminology, and he was a known commodity for Hue Jackson.  

Outside of a strong arm, it is hard to point to any intangible skills that Boller possesses.  

I haven't seen him show the heart and grit that endeared Bruce Gradkowski to the Raider faithful.  I haven't seen the ability to avoid a pass rush and keep the play alive like I have seen Campbell do every now and then.  

I surely haven't seen accuracy on par with either Campbell or Edwards.  

Then again, I am projecting him as our third quarterback, but that is only for a matter of time.  

Secret Weapon: Terrelle Pryor

Much has been made about the prospect of Pryor as a quarterback. While I do think he has a lot of work to do, I also believe he has the ability to make the changes necessary.

Pryor thrives on what people say he can't do.  He was widely considered the No. 1 prospect coming out of high school.  He had his choice of colleges, and while we all know how that worked out, we have no idea of what kind of heart this kid has.

He is physically gifted at 6'5" and 232 pounds.  He can run a 4.38 40-yard dash, which puts him in the same ballpark as Calvin Johnson.  

I realize he is no Johnson, but to think you can definitively say that a man with that kind of athleticism can't succeed in this sport is premature.  While he may not be the kind of polished receiver that Megatron has become, he does have a very high level of athletic ability and a determination to succeed.

Raider fans don't have to think back all that far to remember another converted quarterback who worked out pretty well.  Ronald Curry looked like the answer to so many Raider fans prayers before injuries derailed his promising career.  

If I was in Al Saunders or Hue Jackson's position, I would have an abbreviated playbook with packages just for Pryor.  In that playbook I would have Wildcat formations with Pryor, Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Taiwan Jones.  

I would also have a red-zone package that would split Pryor out as a wide receiver to use his big body to pull in touchdown passes or even just to pull coverage his way.

I understand that many people think he can't make an impact this year, but under the right circumstances I think he can.  

If the offense is bogging down and having trouble moving the football, how can you not bring in Pryor for a series and have the Wildcat as an option?  Ford running a reverse the other way?  The defense would be gassed trying to cover all that speed.  

Let me know your thoughts, Raider fans.  Keep it medium.