Oakland Raiders: Why Terrelle Pryor Should Get Some Reps Right Away

First, I would like to say rest in peace Mr. Al Davis. Thank you for everything you've done for the Oakland Raiders and the NFL.  

Now that Terrelle Pryor has served his five-game suspension, he is eligible to practice with his teammates and play on Sunday if the Raiders so choose.  Right now, the Raider Nation is mixed on what should be done with Pryor.  

Some believe he should just sit and wait his turn while learning from a seasoned veteran in Jason Campbell.  Others don't see Campbell as the long-term quarterback and want to get the rookie going as soon as possible.  

I don't think he should start, but I do think he should get some playing time on Sunday.  At the very least, the Raiders should bring him in even if its just a simple hand off to Darren McFadden.  

Here are a few ways the Raiders can use him and a few reasons why they should:

Head coach Hue Jackson has called a lot of unconventional plays thus far this season.  He's called reverses, double reverses and a halfback option that McFadden turned into a long run, but the primary option was to throw it to the quarterback.  He also dialed up the wild hog formation a few times against the New York Jets. 

Those type of plays and formations would be the right time for Coach Jackson to send in the rookie.  

With Pryor's athleticism, he is a better fit than Campbell to be on the field for those gadget plays. Even if Pryor is on the field as nothing more than a decoy, it would be smart to get him out there.

Having Pryor on the field would give the defense one extra thing that they would have to account for.  Even on a simple running play, the defense would have to make sure he doesn't fake the hand off because he has the speed to take it the distance if he gets a crease.  

Another reason he should get a few plays a game is to give Campbell a breather here and there. Campbell took a lot of shots against the Houston Texans, and was slow to get up a few times out there. In those situations, the Raiders could send in Pryor while Campbell pulls himself together and sniffs the smelling salt.  

Pryor also happens to be the only quarterback the Raiders have under contract beyond this season.  I am pretty sure the Raiders will give Campbell a new deal, but giving Pryor some live reps would be a good investment in the unlikely event that the Raiders don't bring Campbell back.

Well there you have it Raider Nation. I think Campbell is the man in Oakland, but I also believe that you just have to figure out ways to use a playmaker like Terrelle Pryor.  You don't just leave a player with that type of ability on the bench for the entire game.  

He should get a few snaps at least, right?