Terrelle Pryor turned heads at Oakland Raiders practice on Thursday, but not with his blazing speed or powerful arm. Pryor made waves by showing up on the field donning a black and silver No. 2 jersey, the same one worn by JaMarcus Russell during his disastrously short NFL career from 2007 to 2009.
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Pryor wore No. 2 in college and had asked then-Raiders head coach Hue Jackson for it as a rookie. According to reports Jackson nixed Pryor's request. Pryor said at the time, "Coach won't let me wear No. 2. Why? I don't know, you tell me."
The reason was likely to avoid memories of Russell, who is likely the biggest bust in the history of the NFL draft, and ranks among the biggest failures in American sports history. Russell was drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2007 out of LSU, and proceeded to more interceptions (23) than touchdowns (18) in three seasons. By the end of 2009, Russell was already out of the league.
In addition to his on-field struggles, Russell had issues with drinking codeine syrup, a vice for which he was arrested in 2009. He's been out of the league since, but is attempting a comeback. He's shed up to 50 pounds sine he reached his highest weight, and worked out for the Bears this offseason, who decided to pass on his services.
Pryor represented a controversial pickup for Oakland as well, although not on the magnitude of Russell. Pryor was mired in his own troubles at Ohio State, earning a season-long suspension for exchanging bowl game memorabilia for tattoos. He's also been criticized for not being a natural quarterback, even admitting he learned how to properly throw a football this offseason.
Pryor was impressive in Week 1 of the preseason, going 6-for-10 for 88 yards and averaging 10.3 yards per carry on the ground. Week 2 was not such a showcase, but Pryor's athleticism still gives him a chance to contribute. He just has to leave the Russell jersey alone.
"I had to do a double take," said starting quarterback Matt Flynn, Russell's LSU teammate.. "Not only was it a new number, the jersey looked a little big on him."
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