Sunday, December 30, 2012

Chargers Gameday Thread

Something's been nagging me about this Pryor business, and I've finally put my finger on it...

Simply put, I think it's a bit of a hoax. If the coaching staff truly wanted to evaluate Pryor's viability as a potential future starter, they would have found a way to do more by now. Heck, they couldn't even find a way to get him snaps last week, with Palmer out, the season fully down the drain, and Leinart fluttering the pigskin.

Now, suddenly, it's showtime for Pryor? Huh? 

Not much good can come out of this. If he stinks, I guess we can settle down about him being the savior of the franchise, but it's probably unfair to expect much out of him during his first start when he's had very little action all year.

And what if he lights the Chargers up? Then what? Do we chalk it up as a one-game wonder, or as a glimpse into a promising future? 

And how does all of this affect our quarterback planning going forward? Does it give us clarity, or cloud our quarterback picture?

Instead of having multiple looks at Pryor heading into the offseason, we'll have one look. 

Whether or not that look is good or bad, it really won't tell us enough, will it? 

If Pryor is good enough to start over Leinart today, why wasn't he good enough to get snaps last week--and also some snaps in garbage time or creative red-zone packages earlier?

This is why I think it might be a bit of a hoax. The staff may have already made up its mind on Pryor. They probably don't think he's close to good enough. So, like Denver did with Tebow, they're going to throw him to the wolves to prove to the irrational fans that, no, the third-string quarterback is not the answer. What have they got to lose? Another game? Hah!

But as Tebow proved, giving the irrationally popular third-string quarterback the reins can be a dangerous game. 

Stay tuned...

12 Comments:

Blogger OakTownBlues said...

Cheers, Take... I think they have bagged the season, giving the kid a game, and Palmer a rest, I mean, if palmer sustained a freakish injury, we are cooked... so, hat's off the the coaches: Give Pryor a go, and cut Leinart.

11:33 AM  
Blogger nyraider said...

Yeah. One game can't be too meaningful for Pryor or the Raiders, i.e., as it pertains to Pryor's future. Coaches talked about getting Pryor involved weeks ago, but only gave him a few token plays over that period.

Coming in for a trick play or one pass doesn't constitute meaningful playing time. And listening to Allen's PC at the end of this week, it almost sounds like he'll be ready to pull Pryor out on a whim.

It's a confusing end to a disastrous season.

Here's what I believe is an accurate assessment by Jerry McDonald:

"The Raiders' season has been a disappointment in almost every way imaginable under first-year general manager Reggis McKennzie and Allen, his rookie head coach."

12:13 PM  
Blogger OakTownBlues said...

That's healthy, NY. I expected maybe 7 wins, so this is not far off. The ship has clearly done a 180 though, but, it takes a whole season to really do that... slow it, turn it, pitch sails, the autumn wind can fill the sails as soon as the crew is ready and unified. i can only hope that when that wind comes over the next few autumns that the cannons will be well manned, organized, and four-quarters strong.

12:21 PM  
Blogger Mr.Duva32 said...

The latest from Rotoworld:

FOX's Jay Glazer reports the Raiders are expected to make a "bunch of changes" to their offensive coaching staff as early as Sunday evening.
Glazer believes underwhelming first-year coach Dennis Allen is safe, but implied behind-the-times OC Greg Knapp is as good as gone. Knapp worked extremely hard to earn his walking papers this season, routinely failing to put his players in the best position to succeed. That was embodied by Darren McFadden, who found himself trapped in a zone-blocking scheme that played to his weaknesses and sapped his strengths. Knapp is probably lucky he wasn't let go mid-season.
Dec 30 - 12:16 PM

12:48 PM  
Blogger AvantGrape said...

Crabtree or H-bey?? Puhlease. This was such an easy call, I have no idea why we drafted a WR who won't be playing this game within a few years. Still hurts.

2:32 PM  
Blogger AvantGrape said...

Zone-blocking has nothing to do with McFadden's issues. The great backs can play under any system. McFadden is a long-yard threat when he's healthy. Only problem is that he's rarely ever healthy, and he doesn't have the leg-strength or vision to be a consistent performer in this league. Great backs perform great even when they're banged up.

2:34 PM  
Blogger Stuporburg said...

Oh boy! It has become so bad that it feels so good. I mean ... the Raiders cannot even win against another pathetic and un-domineering team like the Bolts.

We better start shopping for QB's. Pryor looks okay. Palmer ... I think the Palmer trade has just exploded right in front of our face now that he is really hurt (and he is getting old)... bad! Leinert ... no thanks -- he just does not have the reach.

The team's shortcomings go well beyond the offensive side of the ball. Our special team has been as porous as a broken umbrella. We keep on getting our rear-ends kicked because we allow opponents to score cheaply.

5:46 PM  
Blogger Calico Jack said...

I saw more than enough in Pryor today to believe he can be developed next year into a #2 QB with a longer range plan to become a potential #1 QB.

The one aspect of his game that can not be teached is his ability to extend a play and improvise when things break down.

How many times during the game did Pryor avoid a sack? If Leinart was in the game, I'm guessing conservatively that the Bolts would have rung up 5 sacks.

6:37 PM  
Anonymous gary said...

AvantGrape said...

Crabtree or H-bey?? Puhlease. This was such an easy call, I have no idea why we drafted a WR who won't be playing this game within a few years. Still hurts.

>>>>

I know. They just forgot to ask you.

Meanwhile:

DHB: 138 2058 14.9 10 Tds

Crab: 252 3173 12.6 19 TDs



Yup.. that would have put us over the TOP!

7:24 PM  
Anonymous gary said...

Calico Jack said...

I saw more than enough in Pryor today to believe he can be developed next year into a #2 QB with a longer range plan to become a potential #1 QB.

>>>>


Nothing more, nothing less.

It enables us to jettison our number 2 QB and enable one extra spot is all.

He scrambled around well and hit wide open receivers. Balls all fluttered. Got worse as the game progressed.

shrug

7:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Gary. Too many people are dwelling in the past instead of in the here and now. How about talking about how DA could have been getting the 2nd & 3rd stringers valuable game time experience once the Raiders were eliminated from the playoff hunt?

Concerned Raider Fan

7:33 PM  
Blogger Raider Take said...

Postgame and posteason take is up.

9:42 PM  

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