Kickoff Rule Could Create Opportunities for Innovators
August 22, 2011Jim Thome is Available on Waivers (Updated)
August 22, 2011Terrelle Pryor’s draft rights are officially those of the Oakland Raiders.
Using a third-round selection, the Raiders have opted to add Pryor to their notorious arsenal of athletes. Leaving the Ohio State University after being at the center of a slew of allegations surround personal property that was sold to a tattoo artist-turned-tax evader, Pryor will enter his professional career as one of the biggest question marks in recent history.
An undeniable athlete, the 6-foot-6-inch quarterback will be a project whether he is under center or is moved to a tight end/H-back-type of role.
During his highly discussed Pro Day, Pryor wowed a reported 17 teams with a 40-yard dash time that rivaled some top flight receivers and arm strength that found footballs up to 80 yards from their original starting point. However, questions still remain about his accuracy (only 27 of 39 throws to moving targets were completed) and ability to be an NFL-style quarterback that does not rely solely on athleticism.
Raiders owner Al Davis is notorious for falling in love with a player’s speed and/or athleticism, often leading to moves labeled as mistakes by pundits. Said project will being after the player serves the five-game suspension he was given upon being granted eligibility into the league’s supplemental draft, something that was not agreed to until late last week. As luck may have it, the first game Pryor would be able to play is against the Cleveland Browns on October 16.
Stating that he would play any position for whichever team was willing to take a gamble on his talents, Pryor is expected to sign with the much-maligned franchise in Oakland. The cost of this decision will be the team’s third-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. No word on whether or not the Raiders’ record came into play if other teams bid a third-round pick for Pryor’s services.
35 Comments
This is my not shocked face. Thanks Al.
There’s the strong, character-based influence that this young man needs.
Every once and a while, something happens in sports that is a complete and utter shock. This is not one of those things.
2012 Raiders draft – no 2nd, no 3rd, no 4th – well, I guess they would have blown those picks anyway.
Pryor has Vick speed and Tebow size (just don’t ask him to throw). Everyone knew that if Al Davis was awake long enough that he would fall in love with him. Apparently, someone forgot to slip him the sleeping pill today.
And, I’ll give the Raiders this one: Pryor will not be as big of a bust in the NFL as Tebow (of course, a huge advantage in being a 3rd rounder is if both flame out, then the higher draft pick is the bigger bust 🙂 )
Even Jamarcus Russell is shaking his head.
The funny thing is, Jim Tressell is actually more corrupt than Al Davis.
“The funny thing is, Jim Tressell is actually more corrupt than Al Davis.”
Whaaaa????
Garry,
Al doesn’t lie and cover up in order to field ineligible players.
Well, yeah, Al doesn’t have eligibility requirements, does he? And you’re aware of all of the other defining characterstics of both men, are you?
Please show your work.
Does this mean Tressell will be on the Oakland sideline in 2012?
Al is probably a better role model for young Mr. Pryor than the cheater Tressell, and he may be able to cleanse from his character the depredations of Ohio State. It’s too bad Lane Kiffin isn’t there anymore.
Okay. We’re descending into “crazy.” I’m going to back away, very, very, slowly . . .
Al may be crazy and a pain in the glute, but as far as I know, he’s not a cheater and a liar.
Tressell may be pious and sanctimonious, but according to his own actions, he’s in the same league as Butch Davis, Pete Carroll, and assorted other dirtbags.
Umm, “sanctimonious” is a hard accusation to make sanctimoniously.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would rather have Al Davis, as a mentor than Jim Tressell…. it is Al Freaking Davis…
There’s a dance-off in the air …Gentlemen, opposite corners. Cue the music.
@Harv – can we request the theme song from Sanford and Sons for this dance-off?
that’s the only thing on my ipod.
Maybe I’m forgetting something from his past, but I don’t know if I’d call Al Davis “corrupt”. Inept? Litigious? Undead? Uh huh.
Corrupt? Nope.
Sadly, it does work for Tressel.
The Benny Hill song too, maybe?
Okay, fine, defend that phony Tressell all you want. I understand how it is. I used to root for Albert Belle, so I’m no better.
But Tressell’s a liar and a cheat, and there ain’t no getting around that.
Not the BH theme. That’s my life’s soundtrack, the tune I long to escape.
Depends on how you view cozying up to various corrupt (and non-corrupt) politicians in order to coordinate a multi-million dollar move (or two) from one city to another. May not be “corrupt,” but as a Clevelandler, it sure feels a bit like it.
How about withholding salaries in contravention to contractual terms and arrangements?
Building a team persona “accepted” fanbase on the principles of poor sportsmanship, dirty play, and criminal behavior?
Look, I get it. Jim Tressel lied (and people died). If lies make one corrupt, then I guess corruption runs deep in all of us.
All I know: whatever the reason, it is not a good thing to be compared to Al Davis.
Inability to spell ‘Tressel’ correctly renders MrCleaveland’s points moo.
In some ways they both remind me of Osama ben Laden. Wait, that’s Terell Prior.
At least Tressel is no rat. He wanted one more National Championship (so did I). Anyone who says they have no respect for him… Ahhh why waste my time.
Oh yeah, F Pryor entitled POS who couldn’t respect delayed gratification. You think Tressel wanted that doucher running around like a retard thug.
“What do you think of Jim Tressel?” is going to be the new litmus test for defense attorneys during juror voir dire.
None of this matters. The fact is, that little spoiled baby is in Oakland now. When was the last time you had to watch a Raiders game? Exactly. We never have to see this idiot again. Rejoice. Thanks Al!
As for the rest of this… Tressel is a good football coach. He’s dirty and so is every other D1 coach at one point or another. Al Davis on the other hand is a living legend. Show some respect to your football Gods.
This thread has devolved into disharmony, defense of the indefensible, and il wil.
@mr cleveland… Unless you can say without a doubt that you have never told a lie then you have no room to be namecalling. Not a single person on this earth is perfect and I’d bet my bank account that Tress has done a lot more for mentoring young men,giving to charity organizations, and community involvement projects in the past year than you have or will ever do in your entire life. Get off your horse brother.
Just because I’m a hypocrite doesn’t mean I’m wrong.
Moo points are the best points. Cows are known for their deliberative nature and powerful insight, as well as their rain-predicting abilities.
This is why I was REALLY hoping the Bengals took Pryor… so I could watch this same scenario and others of its ilk (ilk comes from cows, right?) several times a year over the next decade.