This week we got to welcome one of our newest Bills in Terrelle Pryor who was a free agent. The Jets released Pryor earlier this month due to a groin injury and expected him to be out an extended amount of time. Certainly, the Jets underestimated the injury as Pryor is going to suit up and play on Sunday. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm happy to have him join the Bills and welcome to the Bills Mafia Terrelle. He's an incredibly talented athlete who has played quarterback and receiver in the NFL and was a standout basketball player in high school. Pryor was a two-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year, the offensive Player of the Year and the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was named to the Parade All-America football team for the 2007 season and was selected as the Parade National Player of the Year. As a basketball player, Pryor was named a fourth-team Parade All-American in 2008.
Pryor was widely considered one of the top football recruits in the Class of 2008. He was ranked number four in the ESPNU 150 and the number one quarterback. Throughout his high school career, Pryor acquired numerous scholarship offers, initially committing to the hometown University of Pittsburgh to play basketball under coach Jamie Dixon. However, by his senior year his top interests were Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Oregon and West Virginia. Sports Illustrated called Pryor's announcement "the most anticipated signing day announcement in history." On March 19, 2008 Pryor announced he would be attending Ohio State University.
At Ohio State Pryor crushed it. In 2009 Pryor was actually the fastest Buckeye on the roster running a 4.33 40 yard dash. It's crazy to think that the fastest Buckeye was the quarterback. Pryor played from 2008-2010 and compiled some pretty outstanding statistics as you can see below. Clearly he was dual threat QB and that helped propel the Buckeyes to 2 Big 10 Championships in his 3 years there in 2008 and 2009.
PASSING
Ohio St (2008) 100 - 165, 60.6%, 1,311 Yards - 7.9 Avg Yards 12 TD/4 INT 146.5-Rating
Ohio St (2009) 167 - 295, 56.6%, 2,094 Yards - 7.1 Avg Yards 18 TD/11 INT 128.9 Rating
Ohio St (2010) 210 - 323, 65.0%, 2,772 Yards - 8.6 Avg Yards 27 TD/11 INT 157.9 Rating
RUSHING
Ohio St (2008) 139 attempts for 631 Yards - 4.5 Avg Yards 6 TD
Ohio St (2009) 162 attempts for 779 Yards - 4.8 Avg Yards 7 TD
Ohio St (2010) 135 attempts for 754 Yards - 5.6 Avg Yards 4 TD
In the 2011 supplemental draft the Raiders picked Terrelle in the third round and he was with the Raiders until 2013. Then he floated around with the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Bengals. After being released by the Bengals Pryor stated he would be open to playing wide receiver. Clearly this was a smart career choice and saved his career as it appeared he wasn't going to make it as a QB. The Browns picked up Pryor and then his career started to pick up in 2016 with the Browns Pryor had 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and 4 TDs. Pryor then signed a one year deal with the Redskins but hurt his ankle in week 2 and went on the IR list to have surgery on it. Then Pryor signed with the Jets who just recently released him and now he has moved on to the Bills.
Pryor has to have some resentment to the Jets for sure. Regardless of what he says how can you not. As he said himself "I can ball, bro. I'm not being cocky. I just know how I study, how I work, and how I practice. I compete at a high level. I expect high things from myself." I have no doubt he'll pick things up quickly. As a former star quarterback he should be able to understand the offense from several angles which should help him pick things up quickly. As his starting quarterback this Sunday, Nathan Peterman said “he understands the timing of the route having been on the other end of it. Also having had to learn offensive systems conceptually he doesn’t just learn his assignment on a play. He sees the whole thing so that definitely helps him in terms of picking up our stuff.” I doubt he'll play QB as Pryor even stated "I haven't played - you guys know if you watch my film, I can throw some plays but through this wind, I won't make it," he said. "You guys would cut my throat. You would run me out of Buffalo." Maybe they find a way to work him into some trick plays however.
I have to be realistic in my expectations out of the gate for him but I think he adds a nice reliable edition to the receivers. Benjamin and Jones are capable but with Pryor hopefully this will allow everyone a better opportunity to succeed. If we can start to stretch the field and open up the running game we have a lot more opportunity. Somehow someway we need points on the board and they've been hard to come by. Clearly our defense can hold up their end of the bargain most of the time but the offense has to find a way to step it up. We have talent but need to put it all together. Peterman will once again have a shot to try to quiet some of the doubters and there are plenty. I'm sure he'll have an incredibly short leash and this may be his last shot to fight for a job in the NFL. I hope this works out for Pryor and the Bills. I believe he still has the talent and ability to play and we could use another reliable receiver. So, tomorrow we'll see how this all goes. I'm looking forward to Terrelle time!
AP Photo/Steve Helber