Buckskin86
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Originally Published: July 8, 2011
Limited chances for Pryor to impress
Lockout allows for few opportunities to prove the various skills NFL quarterbacks need
By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
Reese Strickland/US Presswire
Terrelle Pryor will navigate through many obstacles as he transitions into the NFL.
The first question Terrelle Pryor likely asked himself after his Ohio State career imploded was how best he could prepare for the NFL's supplemental draft. The question he'll likely be facing soon is how to convince people that he has a future in the game. Pryor's odds of doing that are slim based on how rarely supplemental picks succeed in the league, and his chances decline even more when considering that he plays quarterback.
Of all the issues hanging over Pryor -- who's been working out in Florida in preparation for a pro day to take place once the NFL lockout ends -- the one deserving the most attention is the timing of his arrival into the league. The supplemental draft is supposed to take place no later than 10 days before the start of training camp, so at best he might have a week or two to showcase his skills to NFL decision-makers before the draft begins.
That means Pryor not only will have to blow away executives and coaches with his physical gifts, but he'll also have to find ways to impress them with his mind and his heart.
The days when NFL teams could fall in love with a quarterback's rocket arm and unparalleled athleticism are long gone. Today's teams are far more concerned with what really helps signal-callers succeed, traits like mental toughness, the ability to retain extensive information and the experience that comes from being tested time and again in college.
"Playing quarterback is like playing point guard in basketball, and this kid is the equivalent of a power forward," one AFC personnel director said. "His biggest problem is that he's coming into the league in the summer of a lockout year, and he won't even work with a pro coach before training camp starts. He needs time to win people over with intangibles like work ethic and intelligence. And time isn't on his side."
Cont..
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=6748688
This is sort of off-topic, but it would pertain to the Redskins if they select Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft (which they should not do; next year?s class is terrific so just wait). Anyway, another executive who has studied Pryor said he would not switch him from quarterback as some analysts have suggested. ?You start with Cam Newton and you look at Christian Ponder and [Jake] Locker and you can make a case for Pryor. He has special skills too. If he had another year I know he would look better and more polished and poised in the pocket. He?s not that far off those guys. You want to look at him as a quarterback?
?He was much better making plays in the air than the year before. You get a guy that size and athletic, in today?s game who can extend a play ?[But] he?s not a well-liked kid. Very self-absorbed. He doesn?t have the leadership you want in a quarterback. I?ve got more issues with that than his arm.?
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs...ynesworth-pryor-rogers-and-more#ixzz1RXRYLIyd
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