Mosher's Mailbag: If they can, Eagles should get Pryor
March 23, 2014, 11:00 am
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In this edition of Mosher’s Mailbag, I address a potential veteran backup quarterback addition who could benefit the Eagles.
Q. I saw Matt Schaub is going to Oakland, so, I would assume Terrelle Pryor would be out. Do you think the Eagles would have any interest in him as a backup?
-Ryan Cannon
A. Great question, Ryan. Pryor is still under contract in Oakland, so it’s impossible for the Eagles to make any kind of comment about their potential interest in him, but here’s what we know:
• The Eagles are thin at quarterback, with only Nick Foles, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne on the roster (see story). Of the two backups, Barkley and Kinne, the one with the most NFL experience is Barkley, who has appeared in three games and never started. The Eagles really need a veteran in the mix.
• Pryor almost certainly is the odd man out in Oakland after the Raiders traded for Matt Schaub, who is the projected starter. The Raiders really like Matt McGloin as a backup and almost assuredly will draft a quarterback in May.
• Chip Kelly once had strong interest in Pryor, back when Kelly was coaching at Oregon and Pryor was the studliest high school recruit in the country out of Western Pennsylvania. Pryor decided to stay closer to home, choosing Ohio State, but his mobility and athleticism would have been an excellent fit in Kelly’s college offense.
So the dots are there to connect.
The only question is: Will the Raiders outright release Pryor or can they pawn him off for a low draft pick? I highly doubt the Eagles are looking to part ways with another draft pick after giving up their extra fifth rounder to New Orleans for Darren Sproles.
Last year, Pryor showed that he’s capable of winning some NFL games, yet is still far from a finished product. But he’s the perfect kind of guy to come into Kelly’s program, learn the scheme and push Barkley for the No. 2 job.
Pryor has one of the league’s most unique skill sets. He can run the 40 under 4.4 seconds with a 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame. When he takes off, he’s like an unbridled horse galloping across the plains and a nightmare for opposing linebackers and defensive backs. (Just ask Mychal Kendricks.)
His throwing mechanics are still a work in progress. He completed around 57 percent of his passes last year, which isn’t bad, but he threw 11 interceptions to seven touchdowns.
Get him into the NovaCare Complex on the sports science regime and into classrooms with Kelly, Pat Shurmur and Bill Musgrave and it’s feasible to think Pryor can make enough strides to battle with Barkley for the top backup job and maybe hold the fort down if Foles were to get injured.
Jackson for Pryor anyone?
