Oakland Raiders’ Matt Flynn ready to step in, again
As reported earlier, Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Terrelle Pryor suffered a concussion after a vicious hit from Denver Broncos middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard. His status for the Raiders next game against Washington on Sunday remains uncertain until it is determined whether or not he is able to pass the NFL mandated post-concussion tests.
Raiders’ safety Charles Woodson spoke about the impact of losing Pryor to CSN Bay Area’s Scoot Bair.
“It’ll be a big blow,” Woodson said. “It’s a guy who is getting his chance, and each week he’s getting more comfortable. Terrelle did some good things, so it’ll be a tough blow for him and his development if he’s unable to shake it off and bounce back. We’ll see how that pans out.”
If Pryor is unable to go, in steps Matt Flynn. The seemingly career backup – with eye opening numbers when he did get a chance to start – provides a different look for the Raiders’ offense. Instead of the fleet footed multidimensional attack of Terrelle Pryor, Oakland will have to move to a more drop back style – and adjust quickly to avoid falling further under .500.
In five games with Green Bay in 2011 – filling in as the backup to Aaron Rodgers — Flynn completed 33 of 49 passes for 518 yards with 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and subsequently signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He then was forced into a backup role with Seattle with the emergence of Russell Wilson – and then traded to Oakland where once again he is the backup to a mobile quarterback – Terrelle Pryor.
So, this could be the week that the capable Flynn gets his chance to prove – again – that he belongs as a starter in the NFL; an all too familiar story for the 28-year old QB.
“I’m always going to be ready and I’m always going to prepare,” Flynn told CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair. “That’s part of the job. You always have to be ready to go in. Obviously the game didn’t go as we wanted (against Denver on Monday Night Football). We just need to play better from start to finish.”