For the second-straight year, Matt Flynn is the offseason starter for an unfamiliar team and has a rookie named Wilson vying for his starting gig. In exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, the Oakland Raiders acquired Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks while jettisoning Carson Palmer to Arizona.
The sequence of moves signifies, in addition to the release of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Michael Huff and Richard Seymour, the Reggie McKenzie led-regime's plan to rebuild the Raiders organization. But do the Raiders foresee Matt Flynn as a long-term answer at the quarterback position? Or was their fourth-round selection of Tyler Wilson a prognostication of their feelings of Flynn?
Collegiate Career
Wilson endured a roller-coaster ride during his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas.
After redshirting his first season, Wilson was the backup quarterback to current Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. After two highly productive seasons, Wilson entered 2011 burdened with the high-pressure task of following in Mallett’s large footsteps.
The pressure didn’t faze Wilson, as the junior signal-caller would throw for an impressive 3,638 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions and lead the Razorbacks to a Cotton Bowl victory. Along the way, Wilson had drawn accolades and some buzz as an NFL talent. When he decided to return for his senior season, the Razorbacks were widely considered to be national contenders.
Then Wilson’s luck took a turn for the worse, as his head coach was fired in the spring of 2012. With a new coach at the helm, what ensued in 2012 was a tumultuous season of struggles and a disappointing 4-8 record. As the team struggled, Wilson’s draft stock summarily dropped as the...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
