RussWatch: Matt Flynn is All but Out in Oakland

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article analyzing Matt Flynn’s chances of getting Russed for a second consecutive season. If you haven’t read that post, well then go read it and then come back and finish this one. If you don’t like being bossed around, Russing someone basically means to improbably win the starting quarterback job over the high-priced free agent acquisition. Last year, Russell Wilson did this to Matt Flynn, lending his name to the term. This year, Terrelle Pryor seems ready to remind Flynn of that feeling. So, can Pryor pull it off? Let’s talk about it.

First, let’s look at this statistically. Pryor outshined Flynn in Oakland’s first preseason contest, and you can go ahead and throw out the game in New Orleans. Last night, however, was completely different in regards to one QB being better than the other. On the sheet, Flynn was 3 of 6 for 19 yards and 2 interceptions, adding 2 carries for 11 yards on the ground. On the other hand, the far other hand, Pryor was 7 of 9 for 93 yards and a touchdown, tacking on 37 rushing yards and another score. Advantage: Pryor.

Now let’s take the emotional perspective. Matt Flynn is not disliked in Oakland, his acquisition did nothing to set the team back, and he was generally well-received. However, Matt Flynn is not a Raider. Terrelle Pryor? The Raider Nation ADORES him. From the day he was first taken in the supplemental draft, Oakland’s fans have had an infatuation with Pryor that was to this point unreasonable. You can hear it in their raucous cheers every time Pryor escapes the pocket (which he did a lot of last night, and Flynn…did not) and takes off towards a first down. You can see the pride in their faces every time he finds the end zone and the excitement in their expressions with every jump-pass he throws. Which, by the way, did you SEE that throw? Put simply, Pryor is Oakland’s Golden Son right now. The Raiders organization will never be forgiven by the fans if Pryor is not starting come week one. Advantage, Pryor.

In all this, it’s important to monitor what the coach and/or GM, owner, etc. is saying about the situation. And what did head coach Dennis Allen have to say about the quarterback competition after last night’s loss? "We gotta look at it. Don't think Matt Flynn played well, Terrelle gave us a spark. We're not going to make any decision tonight." Translation: Sorry, Matt. You’re all but Russed for 2013. Keep in mind here that the third week of the preseason is considered a dress-rehearsal for starters, who will probably not play much, if at all, in the last week before real football begins. So basically not a good time for Flynn to turn in his worst performance. Advantage, Pryor.

There you have it. I’m guessing Oakland announces Pryor as the starter sometime this week. Maybe the #2 curse really has been lifted. Congratulations, Raider fans, you finally have a quarterback who you like and who is talented at the same time. Enjoy these Pryor highlights, you’ve earned it.