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Jeannette native Pryor awaits his chance in Oakland
By Paul Schofield
Published: Saturday, September 22, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, September 22, 2012
Don't expect to see Terrelle Pryor in a Raiders uniform Sunday against the Steelers.
Pryor told the Tribune-Review he will be inactive for the third consecutive game but refused to say he was disappointed.
The tone of his voice told a different story. Pryor is not used to standing on the sidelines.
“I'm ready to play,” the Jeannette native said. “But that's not my decision.”
Jeannette coach Roy Hall, Pryor's offensive coordinator in high school, surmises Pryor is a little frustrated with not dressing this weekend. It is especially difficult for him to sit and watch a couple of his friends and ex-Ohio State teammates play.
Pryor has worked out with Steelers receiver Antonio Brown and played with the Steelers' Mike Adams and Cameron Heyward at Ohio State.
“I told him there are a lot of mountains and valleys he'll face,” Hall said. “I told him to stay focused and be patient. His time will come because of the ways he works.”
Jeannette businessman Tony DeNunzio is in Oakland for the game.
“Terrelle told me that he learned from other players that in the NFL you have to be patient and prepared,” DeNunzio said. “Terrelle is just waiting for his chance. He's remained positive.”
Pryor is in the second year of a four-year contract. He is third on the Raiders' depth chart behind starting quarterback Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.
The Raiders are off to an 0-2 start, and their offense has been stagnant, especially the running game.
All Pryor can do is hope he gets a chance to do the things other young, mobile quarterbacks such Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson have displayed this season.
“I don't get many reps with the starting unit during the week,” Pryor said. “So I do my work and study the plays and formations. I have to know them all when the coaches ask me to run a play. I try to better myself every day at practice.”
Pryor spent this week mimicking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at practice.
Pryor was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2011 supplemental draft after leaving Ohio State before his senior season. He was the final player selected by late Raiders owner Al Davis.
The NFL suspended Pryor five games last season to honor a suspension by the NCAA for violating rules related to selling memorabilia.
He got into one play as a receiver last season, but a false-start penalty nullified the play. He never saw the field again.
Oakland fired coach Hue Jackson after the season and replaced him with Dennis Allen.
Pryor not only has been dealing with a new coaching staff but also the recent deaths of two prominent men in his life: his father, Craig Pryor, and close friend and father-figure, Ted Sarniak.
He has a tattoo of Sarniak on his arm, and he will add one of his father after the season.
“I'm still mourning their losses,” Pryor said. “It's better when I'm on the field working.”
Pryor played in all four preseason games. In his third game, he rallied the Raiders to victory over the Detroit Lions.
He demonstrated the running and passing ability that made him MVP of the Rose and Sugar Bowls, completing 3 of 5 passes for 137 yards and two long touchdowns and running for 90 yards and another score.
“I was able to do what I do best: Go out and have fun,” Pryor said. “I expect that of myself every time I'm on the field.”
Paul Schofield is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at pschofield@tribweb.com or 724-836-5095.
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