WorldofBuck

Is Pryor Al’s Last Hurrah?

 Posted by at 8:30 AM  No Responses »
Sep 162011
 

Just as the world was being set a blaze by Cam Newton’s performance in his first ever NFL start, I couldn’t help but think about our version of a freak athletic quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Newton’s stat line was eye-popping for a seasoned vet let alone a rookie in his debut. Although emotions should be tempered a little bit since it was against the Cardinals less than solid secondary. But 400 yards is 400 yards, and the poise and command he showed were excellent. What does that mean for the Raiders? That means there is a decent amount of hope for the future once Terrelle Pryor gets his shot. The difference between Pryor and Newton? Let me know when you find that out.

Here’s their last college year stat lines :

Newton 66.1%, 2854 passing yards, 30 pass TD, 7 int, 1473 rush yards, 20 rush TD, 5.6 avg

Pryor 65%, 2772 passing yards, 27 pass TD, 11 int, 754  rush yards, 4 rush TD, 5.6 avg.

Newton doubled Pryor in rushing yards, but also doubled him in attempts, they matched in rushing average. Both are listed at 6’5”, 233-244 pounds. Can you tell the difference between the #1 overall pick and the guy taken in the 3rd round of a supplemental draft? Both have sketchy pasts, but Pryor has never been arrested or accused of the things Newton has. Both have quirky throwing motions that seem awkward when compared to Tom Brady, so what? They both have shown the arm strength that would put them in the upper echelon of quarterbacks currently in the NFL. Terrelle Pryor was clocked at anywhere from 4.3-4.4 in the 40, Newton around 4.5. At the end of this season the Raiders will have one quarterback under contract and it’s Terrelle Pryor.

While Jason Campbell has been extremely ‘serviceable’ in his tenure with the Raiders, unless he explodes this season, there might not be a starting job waiting for him if he were to re-sign. You can only imagine the thoughts running through Al Davis’ head while watching Cam Newton light up the scoreboard and, more importantly to Al, the press room. Al lives for moments when the press has swallow its words and speak positive about the organization. After the Monday night win against Denver, the Raiders twitter account posted a picture of media vans parked outside the Alameda facility. He’s setting himself up for a last hurrah. Terrelle Pryor could be Al’s last “told you so” moment.

During that Monday night game the Raiders were deep in the red zone when Campbell dropped back to pass, with no one open and it being 3rd down, he took off running up the middle for a collision at the 3 that barely got the 1st down. Immediately I thought “Pryor scores on that play”. Would Terrelle Pryor throw for 400 yards if inserted into the lineup? He wouldn’t have to and it’s not like Jason Campbell is doing that now. Campbell had 105 yards on 13 completions Monday night. Pryor couldn’t make those throws?

Now I’m not taking into account the pressure or things like that, but from a basic quarterback standpoint he can make them. Rex Ryan was quoted as saying the worst thing his defense has to deal with is a Vick-like quarterback that can move and get outside the pocket. It’s not that Pryor should start this season, but there is hope waiting in the wings. And this hope happens to run a 4.3. A weapon like Pryor in Hue Jackson’s hands could be a very dangerous thing to have come playoff time. Now is where you queue up your Jim Mora voice and say “Playoffs?….Playoffs?!”.

Is Pryor Al’s Last Hurrah?

 Posted by at 8:30 AM  No Responses »
Sep 162011
 

Just as the world was being set a blaze by Cam Newton’s performance in his first ever NFL start, I couldn’t help but think about our version of a freak athletic quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Newton’s stat line was eye-popping for a seasoned vet let alone a rookie in his debut. Although emotions should be tempered a little bit since it was against the Cardinals less than solid secondary. But 400 yards is 400 yards, and the poise and command he showed were excellent. What does that mean for the Raiders? That means there is a decent amount of hope for the future once Terrelle Pryor gets his shot. The difference between Pryor and Newton? Let me know when you find that out.

Here’s their last college year stat lines :

Newton 66.1%, 2854 passing yards, 30 pass TD, 7 int, 1473 rush yards, 20 rush TD, 5.6 avg

Pryor 65%, 2772 passing yards, 27 pass TD, 11 int, 754  rush yards, 4 rush TD, 5.6 avg.

Newton doubled Pryor in rushing yards, but also doubled him in attempts, they matched in rushing average. Both are listed at 6’5”, 233-244 pounds. Can you tell the difference between the #1 overall pick and the guy taken in the 3rd round of a supplemental draft? Both have sketchy pasts, but Pryor has never been arrested or accused of the things Newton has. Both have quirky throwing motions that seem awkward when compared to Tom Brady, so what? They both have shown the arm strength that would put them in the upper echelon of quarterbacks currently in the NFL. Terrelle Pryor was clocked at anywhere from 4.3-4.4 in the 40, Newton around 4.5. At the end of this season the Raiders will have one quarterback under contract and it’s Terrelle Pryor.

While Jason Campbell has been extremely ‘serviceable’ in his tenure with the Raiders, unless he explodes this season, there might not be a starting job waiting for him if he were to re-sign. You can only imagine the thoughts running through Al Davis’ head while watching Cam Newton light up the scoreboard and, more importantly to Al, the press room. Al lives for moments when the press has swallow its words and speak positive about the organization. After the Monday night win against Denver, the Raiders twitter account posted a picture of media vans parked outside the Alameda facility. He’s setting himself up for a last hurrah. Terrelle Pryor could be Al’s last “told you so” moment.

During that Monday night game the Raiders were deep in the red zone when Campbell dropped back to pass, with no one open and it being 3rd down, he took off running up the middle for a collision at the 3 that barely got the 1st down. Immediately I thought “Pryor scores on that play”. Would Terrelle Pryor throw for 400 yards if inserted into the lineup? He wouldn’t have to and it’s not like Jason Campbell is doing that now. Campbell had 105 yards on 13 completions Monday night. Pryor couldn’t make those throws?

Now I’m not taking into account the pressure or things like that, but from a basic quarterback standpoint he can make them. Rex Ryan was quoted as saying the worst thing his defense has to deal with is a Vick-like quarterback that can move and get outside the pocket. It’s not that Pryor should start this season, but there is hope waiting in the wings. And this hope happens to run a 4.3. A weapon like Pryor in Hue Jackson’s hands could be a very dangerous thing to have come playoff time. Now is where you queue up your Jim Mora voice and say “Playoffs?….Playoffs?!”.

Is Pryor Al’s Last Hurrah?

 Posted by at 8:30 AM  No Responses »
Sep 162011
 

Just as the world was being set a blaze by Cam Newton’s performance in his first ever NFL start, I couldn’t help but think about our version of a freak athletic quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Newton’s stat line was eye-popping for a seasoned vet let alone a rookie in his debut. Although emotions should be tempered a little bit since it was against the Cardinals less than solid secondary. But 400 yards is 400 yards, and the poise and command he showed were excellent. What does that mean for the Raiders? That means there is a decent amount of hope for the future once Terrelle Pryor gets his shot. The difference between Pryor and Newton? Let me know when you find that out.

Here’s their last college year stat lines :

Newton 66.1%, 2854 passing yards, 30 pass TD, 7 int, 1473 rush yards, 20 rush TD, 5.6 avg

Pryor 65%, 2772 passing yards, 27 pass TD, 11 int, 754  rush yards, 4 rush TD, 5.6 avg.

Newton doubled Pryor in rushing yards, but also doubled him in attempts, they matched in rushing average. Both are listed at 6’5”, 233-244 pounds. Can you tell the difference between the #1 overall pick and the guy taken in the 3rd round of a supplemental draft? Both have sketchy pasts, but Pryor has never been arrested or accused of the things Newton has. Both have quirky throwing motions that seem awkward when compared to Tom Brady, so what? They both have shown the arm strength that would put them in the upper echelon of quarterbacks currently in the NFL. Terrelle Pryor was clocked at anywhere from 4.3-4.4 in the 40, Newton around 4.5. At the end of this season the Raiders will have one quarterback under contract and it’s Terrelle Pryor.

While Jason Campbell has been extremely ‘serviceable’ in his tenure with the Raiders, unless he explodes this season, there might not be a starting job waiting for him if he were to re-sign. You can only imagine the thoughts running through Al Davis’ head while watching Cam Newton light up the scoreboard and, more importantly to Al, the press room. Al lives for moments when the press has swallow its words and speak positive about the organization. After the Monday night win against Denver, the Raiders twitter account posted a picture of media vans parked outside the Alameda facility. He’s setting himself up for a last hurrah. Terrelle Pryor could be Al’s last “told you so” moment.

During that Monday night game the Raiders were deep in the red zone when Campbell dropped back to pass, with no one open and it being 3rd down, he took off running up the middle for a collision at the 3 that barely got the 1st down. Immediately I thought “Pryor scores on that play”. Would Terrelle Pryor throw for 400 yards if inserted into the lineup? He wouldn’t have to and it’s not like Jason Campbell is doing that now. Campbell had 105 yards on 13 completions Monday night. Pryor couldn’t make those throws?

Now I’m not taking into account the pressure or things like that, but from a basic quarterback standpoint he can make them. Rex Ryan was quoted as saying the worst thing his defense has to deal with is a Vick-like quarterback that can move and get outside the pocket. It’s not that Pryor should start this season, but there is hope waiting in the wings. And this hope happens to run a 4.3. A weapon like Pryor in Hue Jackson’s hands could be a very dangerous thing to have come playoff time. Now is where you queue up your Jim Mora voice and say “Playoffs?….Playoffs?!”.

Raiders Served ‘Vanilla’ This Preseason

 Posted by at 7:30 AM  8 Responses »
Sep 062011
 

Remember the dumb brother from the movie “Corky Romano”? Trying to order rum raisin nut, rocky road, then pistachio. The guy keeps telling him we only have the three flavors on the sign; Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry. That’s what Hue Jackson has served us this pre-season, a big cup of vanilla-flavored offense. Which is perfectly fine, he gets to see what the players can execute and at the same time doesn’t expose too much to other teams.

Insert one Chuck Bresnahan. The old/new defensive coordinator re-hired by Al Davis in the off-season. When he was initially brought in his role on the staff was not given, was he the linebackers coach? This leads one to believe Al had someone else in mind that he wasn’t able to land for the position of defensive coordinator. So after a week or so the Raiders quietly named Chuck the coordinator and everyone said “oh….”.

Bresnahan went into this preseason with a defense who just lost its biggest name, Nnamdi Asomugha. His goal, to develop the already in place young talent the Raiders had collected in the previous years. And to do it with a familiar style, one he was a part of for 5 years under the Gruden era. How’s that vanilla ice cream tasting? The Raiders wrapped up the pre-season 32nd in total defense. 30th against the pass, 28th against the run. Maybe most disturbing is that they finished 28th in sacks with 5. Yep, 5 sacks in  four games.

This from a defensive pass rush that was supposed to be the strength of the defense. After watching the games a few times I don’t think I have ever witnessed worse line stunts. It’s almost as if Bresnahan designed the stunts to go through the same gaps. Now, this might be player execution, but let me remind you this is the same defensive line that finished last pre-season 3rd overall with 13 sacks. They also were 8th in total yards.

Bresnahan also hasn’t seemed to solve the Raiders problem of giving up the back-breaking 3rd and long conversion. Look at this sequence to open the Seahawks game: 1st play they line up in the base press man, Huff continues to show his more physical aggressive play and blows up the run off right. 2nd play its the same formation and Huff and Shaughnessy blow up the run off left. Everything’s looking good right? Finally, the Raiders D is starting to look normal. Then, Bresnahan blitzes Kamerion Wimbley, Rolando McClain and Stevie Brown. Wait, what? Stevie Brown? Result is a screen pass converts the 3rd and 15 for Seattle.

I watched that play at least 10 times, McClain was slow in shooting his gap, and Stevie Brown didn’t seem to notice how Leon Washington let him run by him. Stevie Brown made a name for himself last pre-season by having a ‘nose’ for the ball and being a playmaker in the defensive backfield. He hasn’t shown anything that warrants him being sent on a blitz. Not after Michael Huff had just blown up the first 2 plays.

Last year the Bresnahan lead defense of the Florida Tuskers lead the UFL in sacks. Impressive? Maybe, only problem is that league has rules against more than 6 guys rushing the passer and has to have 4 down lineman on all plays. Now it is just pre-season and Chuck might not be wanting to show anything to the league, but the lack of timely blitzing that has seemed to work for every other team so far is unsettling. More vanilla anyone?

Raiders Served ‘Vanilla’ This Preseason

 Posted by at 7:30 AM  8 Responses »
Sep 062011
 

Remember the dumb brother from the movie “Corky Romano”? Trying to order rum raisin nut, rocky road, then pistachio. The guy keeps telling him we only have the three flavors on the sign; Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry. That’s what Hue Jackson has served us this pre-season, a big cup of vanilla-flavored offense. Which is perfectly fine, he gets to see what the players can execute and at the same time doesn’t expose too much to other teams.

Insert one Chuck Bresnahan. The old/new defensive coordinator re-hired by Al Davis in the off-season. When he was initially brought in his role on the staff was not given, was he the linebackers coach? This leads one to believe Al had someone else in mind that he wasn’t able to land for the position of defensive coordinator. So after a week or so the Raiders quietly named Chuck the coordinator and everyone said “oh….”.

Bresnahan went into this preseason with a defense who just lost its biggest name, Nnamdi Asomugha. His goal, to develop the already in place young talent the Raiders had collected in the previous years. And to do it with a familiar style, one he was a part of for 5 years under the Gruden era. How’s that vanilla ice cream tasting? The Raiders wrapped up the pre-season 32nd in total defense. 30th against the pass, 28th against the run. Maybe most disturbing is that they finished 28th in sacks with 5. Yep, 5 sacks in  four games.

This from a defensive pass rush that was supposed to be the strength of the defense. After watching the games a few times I don’t think I have ever witnessed worse line stunts. It’s almost as if Bresnahan designed the stunts to go through the same gaps. Now, this might be player execution, but let me remind you this is the same defensive line that finished last pre-season 3rd overall with 13 sacks. They also were 8th in total yards.

Bresnahan also hasn’t seemed to solve the Raiders problem of giving up the back-breaking 3rd and long conversion. Look at this sequence to open the Seahawks game: 1st play they line up in the base press man, Huff continues to show his more physical aggressive play and blows up the run off right. 2nd play its the same formation and Huff and Shaughnessy blow up the run off left. Everything’s looking good right? Finally, the Raiders D is starting to look normal. Then, Bresnahan blitzes Kamerion Wimbley, Rolando McClain and Stevie Brown. Wait, what? Stevie Brown? Result is a screen pass converts the 3rd and 15 for Seattle.

I watched that play at least 10 times, McClain was slow in shooting his gap, and Stevie Brown didn’t seem to notice how Leon Washington let him run by him. Stevie Brown made a name for himself last pre-season by having a ‘nose’ for the ball and being a playmaker in the defensive backfield. He hasn’t shown anything that warrants him being sent on a blitz. Not after Michael Huff had just blown up the first 2 plays.

Last year the Bresnahan lead defense of the Florida Tuskers lead the UFL in sacks. Impressive? Maybe, only problem is that league has rules against more than 6 guys rushing the passer and has to have 4 down lineman on all plays. Now it is just pre-season and Chuck might not be wanting to show anything to the league, but the lack of timely blitzing that has seemed to work for every other team so far is unsettling. More vanilla anyone?

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