Terrelle Pryor to start Week One against Colts

Matt Flynn has developed an interesting habit: Being traded to teams that choose starting quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs.

As first reported by the Chron’s Vic Tafur, Terrelle Pryor was named the Raiders starting quarterback for Week One, something that would have taken the league by surprise before three weeks of mediocrity from Flynn.

The Raiders appear to have a sub-standard offense in general, but Pryor gives the receiving corps an advantage: Defenses will need to contain Pryor, leaving gaps in areas of the field that the team can capitalize on.

Pryor should also take some pressure off the injury-prone Darren McFadden, who has failed to make it through a full season uninjured.

Raiders head coach Dennis Allen spoke on the matter earlier in the week, but declined to make an announcement citing “competitive reasons.”

While Pryor may open the season with the job, it remains to be seen whether he will finish the season as the team’s starter. Last season, Pryor finished the season that Carson Palmer started, and Pryor was given the opportunity after a dismal 13 weeks.

With $70M in open salary cap space for the 2014 season, the 2013 season might best serve the Raiders as another bad one. In the long run, the team is in their best situation since earning a Super Bowl berth in 2002 and McKenzie surely intends to create a team that can get back sooner rather than later.

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