Things might have started to turn around for Wilson when he was eventually picked by the quarterback-needy Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. Only quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor—and their combined three NFL starts—now stand in Wilson’s way of becoming an NFL starter.
It could be a good situation for Wilson if he can earn the starting job, as opposed to having it handed to him because Flynn is ineffective. Wilson just has to prove to the Raiders that he can do a few things, and they will have no choice but to make him the starter.
Take a Leadership Role
The Raiders are looking for leadership after purging just about every veteran player that was not brought in by general manager Reggie McKenzie. Leadership has been part of the problem in Oakland, and 2013’s great roster purge will enable new leaders to establish themselves—Wilson needs to be one of them.
It’s tough to ask any rookie quarterback to become a leader right away, but Wilson’s unique situation at Arkansas last season may have prepared him for the challenge. Few college quarterbacks had to be the glue for their college team like Wilson did last year.
Here's what Wilson had to say after his team lost 52-0 against Alabama (via Andy Staples of SportsIllustrated.com):
There's been a lot of people jumping off the bandwagon. It's my responsibility as a leader to keep everybody in this organization and this team in that locker room together. I'm going to make sure of it going forward.
While calling out his teammates publicly for their effort might not have...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
