So the 4-10 Raiders, with their expensive veteran quarterback and whiz-kid coach, aren't making the playoffs. At least they're trying something new now. Per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp plans to deploy third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor on Sunday in third-down and red zone situations in order to "use his athletic ability."
This is not so bad an idea. Knapp promises lots of things. Options! Designed QB runs! Pryor's fast and stuff! With these meaningless two remaining games, now's a fine time to try any plays or ideas that didn't make the scheme. Who doesn't love watching a scrambler?
The problem is everything surrounding Pryor: the Raiders used a third-round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft to select him. Since selecting him, they've asked him to throw all of one pass attempt, and they've stashed him behind Matt Leinart on the depth chart.
I suppose they could have made an inferior deal. They sent the Bengals a 2012 first-rounder and 2013 second-rounder for Carson Palmer. Given how things go in Raider-land, a third-round pick for a quarterback who will see his first meaningful action in two meaningless games over a year after he was drafted, well, that's a bargain.