Matt

McGloin

The Guardians are coached by former Giants OC Kevin Gilbride. Headlining the team are QB Matt McGloin, QB Luis Perez, RB Tim Cook, WR Mekale McKay, and CB Jamar Summers. McKay and Summers were both stars of the AAF last winter before the league folded.

Oakland moved up to draft Connor Cook in the fourth round last season undoubtedly in preparation for McGloin’s exit. Injury cut McGloin’s chance at a starting job short last season, but he is a quality backup who could start in a pinch. He should get some interest. Caplan reports LB Malcolm Smith and TE Mychal Rivera are expected to sign elsewhere as well.

It’s been quite the series of events for McGloin. When Derek Carr broke his leg late last season, McGloin was thrusted into the starting role for the Week 17 finale against Denver. He promptly went on to hurt his shoulder and miss the Wild Card playoff game. McGloin hoped to parlay his short stint as the starter into a multi-year deal and chance to compete for a No. 1 job outside of Oakland, but the injury made that impossible. McGloin will be the No. 3 in Philly behind Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. He may have to compete for the job with a rookie.

It’s only one non-padded practice, but there’s reason for concern when your quarterback stable is Matt Flynn, Tyler Wilson, Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. “Time and again, balls were batted at the line of scrimmage, thrown behind receivers, thrown over receivers, delivered too high or just plain off the mark,” Corkran observed. Las Vegas has set the Raiders’ win total at 5.5, tied second-worst in the league behind the Jaguars. It’s going to be ugly.

McGloin is starting against the Titans because he earned it, not because Pryor is injured. CSN Bay Area believes that if the former Penn State walk-on shines again, the quarterback change will become permanent. “This is a production business,” coach Dennis Allen said. “One of the things we’ve tried to create here is an atmosphere of competition. If you go out and you perform and you make plays, you get opportunities to continue to go out and perform and make plays.”

Pryor hasn’t started a game since Week 10, but the Raiders want to get one more look at him heading into the offseason. Undrafted rookie Matt McGloin has been highly mediocre in Pryor’s absence, though coach Dennis Allen considers McGloin “part of the organization going forward.” Pryor started off with a bang this season, but regressed sharply, particularly after a knee injury limited his mobility. He’ll be an intriguing daily-league option against a Broncos defense once again adjusting to life without Von Miller.

The Raiders went with a college style plan at quarterback in Week 14, wanting to give both Pryor and starter Matt McGloin shots at leading drives. But Pryor got just one chance, going 2-of-5 for 40 yards and leading the team on a 58-yard drive that ended in a field goal. McGloin got hot later, going 13-of-21 for 174 yards with two touchdowns in the second half of the 37-27 loss. Look for the undrafted rookie to start again when the Raiders host the Chiefs in Week 15, leaving Pryor with just a few packages.

He was officially “limited.” Pryor’s return isn’t a guarantee that he’ll start Sunday’s game against the Texans, but puts him back on track. What he’s able to do Friday will be key. Pryor has been sharply regressing of late, but is still an infinitely better option than McGloin. Even at less than 100 percent, the Raiders will likely do everything they can to get Pryor on the field.

McGloin led the Raiders to their first road win of the season, going 18-of-32 for 197 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. “Here’s what I’m going to do; I’m going to enjoy this win,” Allen said. “Then we’ll go back and we’ll evaluate. Matt definitely did a very good job today.” The Raiders could put a halt to any controversy by saying Pryor’s knee isn’t well enough for him to play. It’s hard to see them turning away from McGloin after the way he played Sunday -- even if Pryor is 100 percent.

The Raiders are throwing in the towel on Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin as starting options. “Do I have an idea? I have a really good idea,” McKenzie said when asked if he knows who will start Week 1. “The bottom line still is the guy’s got to come in and compete, show the team, his teammates, the staff, that he can do it.” It’s been reported that the Raiders’ top choice is Matt Schaub, a declining 32-year-old that got benched in favor of Case Keenum last season.