Earlier this week, we pointed out that Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor could be the real deal. Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor apparently feels the same way.
In an interview that will air later today on NBCSN’s Pro Football Talk, Pryor is asked about the length of his leash, given that Matt Flynn was the presumed starter throughout the preseason.
“Leash?” Pryor says. “I’m just going to make plays. There doesn’t have to be a leash. I’m here to win games and work harder than anyone in the NFL and there ain’t a leash in that. But I’m just going to go out and make plays and there will be no leash, I don’t believe there’s going to be a leash.”
Actually, it’s good that Pryor isn’t determining the length of his own leash, because he’s still not happy with how he played on Sunday.
“I grade myself very hard,” Pryor says. “I critique myself, I’m my worst critic. It’s unacceptable to have two turnovers. I pride myself not to do that and anytime you have interceptions and you lose a game, yeah, I give myself a bad grade.”
Still, Pryor sees the overall outcome as positive, despite the loss.
“I think the thing we did well was, we came together as a team and we fought,” Pryor says. “We were down 14 and not one second went by that we, the offense and the defense, didn’t think that we could have still won the game. I kept on telling the guys, you know, ‘We’re going to win this game,’ and guys believe so that’s what I’m proud about.”
The Raiders indeed showed tremendous resolve after giving up touchdowns on each of the Colts’ opening drives. Oakland chipped away and took the lead late before the Colts regained it. Even then, Pryor and company came within a few feet of stealing the win.
The interview is within a few hours of being televised. Dial up NBCSN at 5:30 p.m. ET for the show, which also includes an interview with Broncos receiver Eric Decker, and Peter King in studio with Erik Kuselias.