Terrelle Pryor came into the Cleveland Browns offseason program as a player that had little expectations after a first season at wide receiver that had little returns in 2015. Pryor receiving a limited role from the coaching staff in Cleveland last season, which in turn gave little glimpses of the former quarterback’s potential at a new position during his debut season as a wideout.
That lack of opportunity changed this offseason when Pryor’s former head coach was hired by the Browns as noted offensive genius Hue Jackson has made an emphasis on giving Pryor a significant look this preseason as the new head coach in Cleveland.
This summer’s biggest story in Cleveland other than the re-emergence of RG3 at quarterback has been Pryor’s playmaking in training camp and now in game action in the preseason. Pryor taking the chance from a new coaching staff to prove himself in the offseason and running with it, compiling a highlight reel that has commanded attention.
Pryor’s latest highlight was a 50-yard touchdown catch where the quarterback turned wideout showed off his elite speed, burning Desmond Trufant before hauling in a perfect dime from RG3 in a play that Browns fans hope can be a consistent theme in Cleveland this year.
Thinking this whole NFL wide receiver thing is going to work out for @TerrellePryor.#ATLvsCLEhttps://t.co/Ub8AuzntSn
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 19, 2016
After the game, Pryor showed his confidence by telling reporters that he knew he would beat Trufant when they called the play to send him on a deep route. Showing signs that Pryor is coming into his own and is becoming extremely confident in his ability to make big plays at a new position that now finally has his full attention after years of failing to become a starting quarterback in the NFL.
“I knew I had him when we called the play,” Pryor said, via Cleveland.com. “I knew I was going to beat him.”
While Pryor has made some big plays in his first two preseason appearances this season, they have yet to come in bunches as he only has three catches during the preseason. Albeit, two of those catches were amongst the Browns biggest offensive plays as Pryor has a 49-yard haul and a 50-yard touchdown grab respectively even if the consistency has yet to be there. For now, it looks like Pryor may never be a possession receiver this late in his career, but he probably won’t have to be if he can make a handful of big gain plays going deep for RG3 in the passing attack.
With the Browns needing a deep threat until Josh Gordon returns from suspension, the Pryor storyline isn’t going anywhere as he will be getting deep targets from RG3 until further notice and for good reason as Pryor has proved his speed can translate to wideout. Expect Pryor to get a featured role in the Browns offense during the third preseason game and during the first month of the season as without Gordon for the opening month it is continuing to look as if Pryor could be the answer to Jackson’s problem.
