Oakland Raiders and Terrelle Pryor Appeal NFL Suspension

The Oakland Raiders have just cut their roster down to the mandated number of 53. Many have questioned the roster moves head coach Hue Jackson has made, such as keeping five running backs on the roster or keeping four tight ends.

Maybe it was keeping the inconsistent production of punt returner Nick Miller or deciding to part ways with a promising undrafted free agent by the name of Sterling Moore for some guy named Joe Porter—not Joey, just Joe.

One of the more shocking decisions was the release of Trent Edwards.

Not because he had a good preseason, because let's just be honest, he didn't. But now the Raiders are headed into Week 1 with only two quarterbacks on the depth chart. That is some peculiar behavior for a team that on average has started three different quarterbacks during a season for the past five years.

Then I found out that Terrelle Pryor, the Raiders' third-round supplemental pick, will indeed appeal his NFL suspension of five games. And suddenly it all made sense.

There has been much speculation about Pryor's decision to appeal. First it was reported that he would, then that he wouldn't. When Pryor was asked on Monday Night Football by commentator Mike Tirico if he would appeal, Pryor indicated that he would let the Raider organization take the lead.

Then many assumed that it was inevitable: Al Davis vs. the NFL. This has been a rivalry since the NFL's inception. An entire professional sport versus essentially one man.

Much to the shock of many, it seemed like Davis was going to let this one slide.

We were wrong.

Though the Raiders organization still seems to be taking a back seat with this, you have to assume it was Davis, if not many veteran players, who has given Pryor's camp the confidence to go ahead and challenge commissioner Roger Goodell.

But even if Pryor does in fact win, there is a very small chance that his impact will be felt during his rookie season, let alone the first five games. So, why bother?

For no other reason than it's just the right thing to do.

Many have mocked Davis for his many disagreements with the NFL. Whether it be his decision to move a franchise or his indecision about signing a flawed CBA agreement. Whatever the case, Davis has always had a solid reason for attacking the NFL.

This one is no different. Not only will this affect Pryor now, but also future college players entering the NFL in the future.

The NCAA suspended Pryor for violating college rules of players receiving money or other incentives for their play. It may be a stupid rule, but it is in the books. 

Remind you of the Tuck rule? If Pryor is not a fit for the Raiders, I don't know who is.

When Goodell upheld that suspension in Pryor's deal of eligibility, it made no sense at all. Pryor is now facing an NFL suspension for something he did when he wasn't even in the league. That's like not being able to go to high school because of a fight you had in junior high.

The NCAA is not a minor league to the NFL. It is it's own organization. If it was, then college players would in fact get paid and this wouldn't even be a discussion.

Davis may have his issues in his later days of life, but stupid and unjust he is not. Now Pryor needs to do what he needs to do to finally put this behind him and fulfill his potential as a quarterback.