Raiders GM Claims Terrelle Pryor Has Shot at Winning Starting QB Job in 2013

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said on Tuesday that Terrelle Pryor will get a shot at competing for the starting quarterback job in 2013, according to Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Marvez tweeted:

#Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie just told us on @siriusxmnfl that Terrelle Pryor will have chance to compete for starting job in 2013

— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 23, 2013  

Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer started for the Raiders in 2012, but the results weren't exactly inspiring. Palmer averaged 7.1 yards per pass attempt (15th in the NFL among qualifying quarterbacks) and he reached double digits in interceptions (14) for the fourth straight season as the Raiders finished with a 4-12 record.

Of course, expecting Pryor to all of a sudden be an NFL-caliber quarterback may be far-fetched, as well. While many NFL teams saw Pryor having a better career as a receiver in the pros than as a quarterback, the Raiders went along and drafted the Ohio State product in the 2011 supplemental draft and labeled him a quarterback.

In the second-year pro's only start this season in Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers, he went 13-of-28 for 150 yards, with two touchdowns to one interception. Although, he did show off his dual-threat ability with 49 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

McKenzie's words may have to do more with who the Raiders currently have on the roster than his confidence in Pryor. If Oakland begins next season with Palmer and Pryor, you may as well see if Pryor has what it takes.

The Raiders have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, but there is no Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III in this year's class. Expecting Oakland to find its next quarterback of the future in the first round is merely hoping for the best. There's a good chance the Raiders go with a defensive prospect at that spot.

 



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