How Matt Flynn Will Affect Raiders Offense If Pryor Can’t Play

With quarterback Terrelle Pryor unable to practice because of a concussion, the Oakland Raiders are turning to Matt Flynn to bail them out if Pryor is unable to play in Week 4.

That could have a big effect on offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s play-calling in Sunday’s game against the winless Washington Redskins.

Flynn took first team reps with the offense on Wednesday, his first time doing so in practice since late in training camp when he lost the top spot on Oakland’s depth chart. Since then, Flynn has been the backup—the same role he had in Seattle a year ago after getting beat out by then-rookie Russell Wilson.

Pryor, who was injured last week when he took what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet hit from Denver linebacker Wesley Woodyard, must pass a series of concussion protocol tests before he can be cleared to practice.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday he isn’t ready to rule Pryor out just yet, but the longer he sits out practice the more likely Flynn will get the nod.

If Flynn does indeed start, here’s now it will likely impact what Oakland does offensively.

 

Passing the Ball

It’s not likely Flynn’s presence at quarterback will dramatically alter what the Raiders try to do when they throw the ball. Although he is a more polished passer, Flynn is still more comfortable making the short and intermediate throws similar to those that Pryor utilized during the first three weeks.

Whether it will affect Oakland’s ability to throw the ball deep is debatable. Pryor struggled with that part of his game, and although there has been incremental progress, he still frequently overthrows his targets or misfires on the deep throws. Pryor’s longest completion, a 73-yard touchdown to Denarius Moore, was a short route that Moore turned into a long gain after breaking a pair of tackles near midfield. Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders