May 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Terrelle Pryor (3) during OTAs at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Terrelle Pryor’s Ohio Roots continue to grow.
The Cleveland Browns claimed the much traveled back-up quarterback – and newly turned wide receiver – off waivers on Monday with the plan of adding him to the team’s growing receiver core.
If the Browns do, in fact, plan on using Pryor at wide receiver it is an intriguing signing as the Browns are needy at the position.
Related: Cleveland Browns awarded Terrelle Pryor off waivers
Pryor has been around the league in his short time in the NFL, with stints in Oakland, Seattle, Kansas City, Cincinnati and now Cleveland, but has been unable to catch on as a quarterback at any of the stops, other than Oakland at the beginning of his career.
The former Ohio State standout turned pariah has struggled since entering the league with Oakland in the 2011 NFL Supplemental Draft. Once a beloved Buckeye who was a top recruit coming out of Jeanette, Pa., Pryor is most remembered for “Tattoo-gate” and as the main culprit in the series of events that ultimately led to dismissal of former Ohio State coach, and fan favorite, Jim Tressel.
At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Pryor provides an interesting reclamation project at wide receiver. If the athletic Pryor can make the transition, he could be a downfield weapon for the Browns with his imposing height. The question is, can he learn the trade of route running and catching the football consistently, skills that are necessary to be a serious threat at wide receiver in the NFL.
In addition to learning how to play wide receiver at the highest level, Pryor will be competing against defensive backs that have been playing the position their whole careers, so he immediately starts out of the gate at a disadvantage.
It may be Pryor’s demeanor and stubbornness, however, that derails any chance he has at resurrecting his quickly fading pro career. Once adamant about playing quarterback and only quarterback in the NFL, Pryor has softened his stance since being released by the Bengals last week, realizing he doesn’t have the accuracy or acumen to succeed at the most important position in the NFL. Coupled with the lack of leadership and poise he displayed during his time at Ohio State, and Pryor has done nothing to redeem his image of being a pouty, problematic player in his short time in the NFL.
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So why take a chance on him, you ask? Is there another reason why the Browns would bring in such an enigmatic player?
It is possible that the Browns are bringing in the journeyman to pick his brain about their in-state rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Why not take a flyer on a guy who has spent some time with a hated division rival and could provide some valuable intel on the ins and outs of a division foe. If anything, the coaches can maybe learn more about an opponent they face twice a year.
Whatever the case, Pryor has quite the hurdle to overcome to play receiver in this league and it won’t come easy. Even if he puts in the extra work and countless hours to try to make up ground, the likelihood of Pryor being able to overcome this change in position is slim.
Terrelle Pryor at wide receiver. Yes or no?