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Pryor making bid for Raiders’ QB job

Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor has brought excitement to the Raiders’ offense. (Associated Press)
Jerry Mcdonald Oakland Tribune
Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor has brought excitement to the Raiders’ offense. (Associated Press)

SEATTLE – Terrelle Pryor views his starting assignment against the Seattle Seahawks tonight as another step toward his eventual destiny.

“Every day, I’m trying to get 1 percent better, and I won’t stop until I get to my goal,” Pryor said. “My goal is to be a starting quarterback, to lead this team to wins. I’ll keep pushing every day until it happens.”

If Pryor fares well against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, his goal could be achieved sooner than expected.

With quarterback Matt Flynn resting a sore right arm, Pryor will open the game with the first team and remain on the field after both teams have removed their starters. For a fourth exhibition game, it’s as close as it gets to high drama.

The Raiders’ original plan was for Flynn to be the starter, with Pryor being available for an occasional change-of-pace, with play-calling suited to his athletic skills.

Coach Dennis Allen was forced to rethink that plan after Pryor’s strong performance against the Chicago Bears in the third exhibition game, coupled with Flynn’s two interceptions. Pryor came in with the Raiders trailing 24-0 and brought them to within 27-20 on a 25-yard touchdown run and a 19-yard TD pass to Nick Kasa.

“The thing he brings is an element of athleticism that allows him to get out of trouble and make some plays with his feet,” Allen said of his third-year quarterback. “And I’ve said this all along about Terrelle – he works extremely hard. Any time you’ve got a talented player that works extremely hard, you’ve got a chance to get better.”

With Flynn operating against the first team and Pryor against the second during the preseason, the Raiders have 10 points in 13 drives with Flynn at quarterback and 26 points in 10 drives with Pryor.

Offensive coordinator Greg Olson said the plays utilized for Pryor are often different from those for Flynn.

“We signed Matt with the thought he’s going to come in and be the starter, and we have a package for Terrelle,” Olson said. “But he’s done some things in these preseason games that we have been excited about and I know a lot of people are excited about. We’ll continue to add to that package.”