Flynn takes train to Buffalo, while Pryor conducts Raiders to a train wreck

I only learned about it today, but Matt Flynn was cut by the Oakland Raiders. On one hand it is understandable; as I pointed out previously, Flynn didn’t light it up in his only start against the Washington Redskins, which he likely needed to do in order to prove to the organization that he was a viable alternative to Terrell Pryor, which—despite his being the current fan favorite—shouldn’t have been that hard to do. Pryor was ineffective again yesterday against a Kansas City team that while unbeaten, is seemingly beatable every week due to an inconsistent offense. 

Pryor threw three interceptions against the Chiefs, looking lost and confused. In only one of his five starts can it truly be said that he played “better” than Flynn in his one start. Yet Pryor does one thing that Flynn doesn’t: He is an “athlete” who can run like a halfback, and does so at every opportunity. This “excites” fans and amazes observers. He may have a bad day passing, but people will look at his rush yards (60 against the Chiefs), and they will be impressed, even though it didn’t translate into points (7 total against the Chiefs). 

But Flynn looked “ordinary” at best in his one start; I suspect that his negative experiences both in Seattle and Oakland did much to undermine the trust he had in these organizations, and in his mind he felt he needed to play “defensively” against the Redskins.  If this was the case, all it did was get him demoted first to third-string and then being cut. Why I don’t understand, but it is clear that he simply wasn’t good enough that day to convince people—especially management—that he was better than the alternative. 

But Pryor has been fool’s gold, with a lot of fools in and out of the media thinking he’s the “real” deal. The win against the Chargers was not because of Pryor, who led the Raiders on only one drive longer than 48 yards; the Chargers outplayed the Raiders, but were undone by five costly turnovers. Pryor’s other “good” game (a loss) was against Denver’s 29^th ranked defense, which has allowed nearly as many passing yards as Peyton Manning has gained on the offensive side. The real Pryor, however, was exposed against a top defense in Kansas City. 

Flynn’s contract must have been a consideration, and there likely would have been a backlash from fans if Pryor was released, because he “excites” fans who daydream that he might be another RGIII, Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick (all three who have regressed somewhat from their rookie season peaks). He is more likely to be a huge disappointment to fans who believe this, but it will take some time for this to sink in; like Geno Smith who looked his usual self in a 19-6 loss at home against the previously winless Steelers, Pryor seems immune from criticism, and heaped with both excuses for his mistakes and overblown praise. 

Flynn has been signed by the Buffalo Bills; he says he’s “glad” to be given yet another “fresh start.” We’ll see where this saga ends.