The Oakland Raiders are desperate for a quarterback that will finally bring the offensive some stability and help produce wins. After bringing in Matt Flynn in the offseason and drafting rookie Tyler Wilson, the team is hopeful that someone will emerge as a true starter. However, as OTAs end and minicamps begin, the struggle continues. Both quarterbacks along with Terrelle Pryor are looking anything but like true starters.
The opening of the Raiders' three-day minicamp featured more batted ball, interceptions and passes to the turf than anything else. With three months until the season begins, the passing side of the offense is looking more like an extreme work-in-progress than anything else. Head coach Dennis Allen is trying to remain positive about the lack of consistency seen in the offense.
"Each and every day we're going to want to come out and complete every pass and throw 10 touchdowns. But realistically right now everyone is still learning, everyone is learning each other, everyone is learning a new playbook. Things are coming. Things are formulating. But we have a long time until game one," Allen said.
Allen says he is not allowing himself to get frustrated over the struggle in the passing game so far. He understands that the team has a lot of young players and inexperience. He has full trust in offensive coordinator Greg Olson and the changes he plans on bringing to the unit.
Change will certainly be necessary as practice has recently featured the same struggling Raiders team. Flynn threw several missed sideline passes and several that were batted down by defensive linemen. Pryor had four balls tipped at the line.
"It kind of makes you mad but, at the end of the day...as long as the ball is going to the right spot, it's good. In terms of our movement, getting in and out of the huddle, for all of us, we did a great job with protection calls, getting the guys going," Pryor said.
Pryor is the lone returning quarterback of the group. He has seen action in just one game in Oakland when Carson Palmer was injured for the season finale. He threw for two touchdowns and an interception in the loss to San Diego. Pryor is not expecting to be the team's starting quarterback and at this point, he is fighting for his roster spot more than anything else.
There have been a lot of trade talks surrounding Pryor, but he is not concerned. All Pryor is worried about is helping create a better Oakland team.
"Right now, not knowing who the starting quarterback is going to be and who's getting talked about, that's the thing that's not very important right now, to me."
