In 2011, when Hue Jackson was head coach of the Raiders, the team used a third-round supplemental draft pick on Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. As a rookie Pryor barely played, and Jackson was fired at the end of the season.
Now Jackson is coaching Pryor again in Cleveland, only Pryor has moved to wide receiver. The circumstances are different this time around, but Jackson is liking what he’s seeing.
“Obviously, he’s flashed. He’s flashed the last several days. He’s taking coaching from the best there is from Al Saunders and Bob Saunders,” Jackson said, referring to the father-son combo of assistants who are coaching the receivers in Cleveland this year.
Pryor’s season in Jackson’s offense may help, even though it was five years ago and at a different position.
“I think he kind of knows this system,” Jackson said. “He’s been around it a little bit. He knows what to expect, what to do, what not to do. The biggest thing, I think, that he’s done is he’s settled down and understands this is really what I want to do and I want to be good at it. ‘I’m athletic enough to do it. What’s my why? Why do I want to do this? Do I want to be great at this?’ My challenge to each and every one of these guys is to be great at what you do, not just be average, it’s to be great. He’s working at it. I think we all see it. I think he’s growing every day and getting better every day, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Pryor, who caught one pass last season, is still a work in progress as a wide receiver. But Jackson likes the progress he has made.