Matt Leinart believes he deserves to be the Raiders’ starting quarterback on Sunday. Raiders coach Dennis Allen disagrees.
“I’ve decided to go with Terrelle Pryor as our quarterback,” Allen said after practice today. “He’ll play in the game and we’ll see how the game goes. He’s the starter, and we’re going to go into it as we would any other game.”
Allen said he informed both Pryor and Leinart earlier this week that he was leaning toward Pryor, and that Leinart “didn’t like” Allen’s decision. But Allen liked Pryor’s response.
“I wanted to see how each player responded,’’ Allen said. “I thought Terrelle responded well. I think he gives us a unique element of athleticism at the quarterback position and I think he deserves to get an opportunity to get out there and see what he can do. I’m anxious to see him play. I want to see him get out there and relax, play the game of football the way it’s supposed to be played. I want to see him take command of the huddle. I want to see us get in and out of the huddle and the operation be smooth. I want to see him protect the football, make sure he makes good decisions.”
The Raiders used their third-round pick in this year’s draft to acquire Pryor in last year’s supplemental draft. He has barely played in his two seasons in Oakland, but with Carson Palmer out after suffering a rib injury, it’s time to see what Pryor can do.