Terrelle Pryor taking positive steps with Raiders
Vittorio Tafur
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor throws during NFL football practice in Alameda, Calif., Tuesday, May 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
It is fitting that Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor's season was wiped out by his false start penalty. The rookie got on the field for one snap, a running play against the Chiefs, and he was too quick.
Pryor is back on the field now, at the team's organized workouts, desperately eager after his career's false start. He left Ohio State early because of an NCAA violations investigation, then missed much of training camp last year before he was taken in the third round of the supplemental draft.
"He was in a tough spot last year," starting quarterback Carson Palmer said. "He kind of got robbed of an offseason."
This year, Pryor comes in as the clear-cut No. 3 quarterback behind Palmer and Matt Leinart, but the supremely confident Pryor does not see himself as a No. 3 quarterback. No. 2 may even be pushing it.
"I don't put myself as I'm going to be backup," Pryor said. "I'm going to work to play. ... I'm not planning to be a backup. Get that correct."
He knows extra time in the classroom and on the practice field will pay off, and he has already convinced someone else of that.
"He's going to give himself a chance to be a good player in this league, because of his work ethic," quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo said. "He's a gym rat here in this building. He loves being here, loves talking football, loves being around, playing the game.
"He's getting better every day."
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