Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Terrelle Pryor’s NFL future is mystery. The nature in which he entered the league put his career at the crossroads before it even began. There are plenty of questions to be answered. Is he Tim Tebow with talent or will he become the Vince Young of his generation? Will Pryor become the next Hines Ward or will he fall into the Brad Smith category? The latter, of course, would require a position change. But that might not even be in the cards.

According to Pryor himself, in an interview he gave back in his native Pennsylvania over the weekend, his days as a QB are here to stay. In fact, as far as he’s concerned the questions of his possible position switch are as non-existent as the San Diego Chargers Lombardi trophies.

“That’s not even a question. I’m still working to become the best quarterback.”

As far as Raider Nation is concerned Pryor couldn’t have been any worse a QB than Kyle Boller last year. Ironically it was Boller’s embarrassing start last season that shut the door on what would have been Pryor’s coming out party.

Raider fans might remember the only snap Pryor took as a rookie last season. It was a third and short situation against the Chiefs in which Pryor lined up wide, slid under center for what was supposed to be a QB sneak until the play was whistled dead before the snap.

According to Pryor that plays was only a small sample of what was to come that ill-fated afternoon.

“I had a whole package for that game. I was going to make a bunch of throws, but we ended up getting smashed and I was yanked. Who knows where it would have gone? I’m confident I would have been successful during that time. We were down, 21-0, and we didn’t run any plays.”

As it turns out Boller might have changed the fate of two quarterbacks with one wretched half of football. Pryor’s grand unveiling was shelved, never to be seen again while Carson Palmer’s debut was pushed up, forced into a turnover party that gifted an all-too-easy win to Kansas City.

For all we know Pryor could have become the silver and black answer to Jets current backup QB. Chances are a few gimmick plays weren’t going to change the tide of the season for the Raiders. I’m guessing that no matter how well Boller, Palmer or any man could have played under center last season it wouldn’t have mattered with the Raiders D being demolished each week.

But that is all in the past. Boller is no longer a Raider and likely out of the league. Pryor, meanwhile, is still learning to play the position at the professional level with hopes of being more than a NFL novelty. He’s been working out with Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford and Taiwan Jones while mixing in plenty of game tape to prepare for the upcoming season.

While the Raiders are still in the market for a backup for Palmer there is no reason to think they’ve already closed the book on Pryor. If what Terrelle says is true then every man on the roster will have to prove himself to new coach Dennis Allen.

“The new staff told us that all positions are open, so you have to battle for the position you want. There is going to be some good competition. Once you get the position, you have to keep fighting for it.

Raiders look to hand Steelers another defeat. (Photo: YardBarker.com)

This season has been all about renewal for the Oakland Raiders. A renewed commitment to excellence has the Silver and Black atop the AFC West for the first time in seven long years. Along the way, the Raiders have helped to renew many of the classic rivalries of the past. By doing a sweep on the first lap around their divisional foes, Tom Cable’s squad has sent a stern message to the league. Make no mistake, this team is for real.

This Sunday, in Pittsburgh, the Raiders have a chance to end an infamous streak while continuing a not so well known one as well.

While there are no moral victories in the NFL, a win on Sunday would snap the hideous streak of 7 years of 11 or more losses by virtue of the Raiders notching their 6^th win of the season.

In addition, this could also be the second straight win in Pittsburgh and the third in a row overall against the Steelers.

Perhaps the most important factor of all will be Jason Campbell channeling his inner Gradkowski. JC’s performances have helped the Raiders to notch wins in each of their last three contests. While Campbell hasn’t always been the picture of perfection he certainly is making plays at important moments.

Last year the Big Gradkowski threw for over three hundred yards and two scores as he led the Raiders to victory in a stunning 4^th quarter comeback. While the Raiders would prefer not to leave it as late on Sunday, they’ll welcome a win any way they can get it. Rest assured that Campbell will factor heavily in attacking a less than stellar Steelers’ secondary.
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Not that playing without Aso is anything new. Just before the bye the Raiders went into their biggest game in seven years without the best cover corner in the game. Stanford Routt played a brilliant game against the Chiefs but the Steelers are a much different animal.

If the position of wide receiver is supposed to be reserved for divas who hate getting their jerseys dirty, then Hines Ward never got that memo. Ward is as tough as a piece of petrified jerky and just to further his legend he’s hell bent on playing this Sunday despite suffering a concussion during the Steelers’ loss to New England.

While Ward’s tough guy persona has, at times, bordered on Rodney Harrison territory he is an unquestioned leader and has helped define the Steeler mystique. On the other hand, Nnamdi is about as different in contrast to Ward as you’ll find. While he too is an unquestioned leader among the Silver and Black, Aso has the reputation as being one of the nicest guys in the league.  

As Asomugha continues to recover from his ankle sprain suffered three weeks ago against Seattle, he too is in doubt for Sunday’s clash. While most were relaxing during the bye week, Asomugha was getting treatment for his injury at the team facility.
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