MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.: In the hours following one of the greatest individual performances in Browns history, the “if onlys” might have tormented Terrelle Pryor.
If only Pryor hadn’t been so consumed by what he felt was Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell’s constant holding.
If only that hadn’t caused him to lose focus with 52 seconds remaining in regulation and he’d caught Cody Kessler’s perfect slant pass on third-and-1 from the Cleveland 48.
If only he hadn’t made a couple more mental errors while changing receiving positions after Corey Coleman broke his hand in practice Wednesday.
If only the Browns hadn’t lost to the Dolphins 30-24 in overtime Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
But in the days after one of the greatest individual performances in Browns history, Pryor can take comfort in the “what ifs.”
What if now-Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown hadn’t claimed him off waivers in June 2015, and after a lingering hamstring injury prompted his September release, re-signed him last December?
What if he hadn’t been reunited with Hue Jackson, his coach in Oakland in 2011?
What if he’d been so despondent as he began his transition from NFL quarterback to wide receiver that his work ethic had lagged?
What if his career had ended after he was cut for the fourth time, if he’d never gotten another chance to play the game for which he continues to say he would lay his life on the line?
“When I’m at home, it almost makes me want to tear up sometimes because this game was almost taken from me,” Pryor said. “That’s why it means so much to me. I don’t ever want to let my teammates down, the trust that the coaches have in me, I don’t want to let them down. I let them down a couple times today.”
Those in the Browns locker room didn’t feel that way. They saw Pryor use all of his God-given skills to try to carry the 0-3 Browns, starting their third quarterback in three games in rookie Cody Kessler.
Pryor notched career highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (144). Used in the wildcat formation on 14 snaps, he rushed four times for 21 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown, and completed 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards. He played safety on the final play of the first half with the Dolphins at the 50.
Pryor became the first NFL player since Frank Gifford on Dec. 6, 1959 to reach at least 120 receiving yards, 30 passing yards and 20 rushing yards in a single game. Pryor was also the first since the 1970 merger to have at least three pass attempts, three rush attempts and three receptions in the same game, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Pryor’s performance drew praise from a fellow Ohio State star. Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter tweeted, “Terrelle Pryor transition to Wr is amazing. Many have tried but only a few have become legitimate NFL WRs #Respect.”
Some of Pryor’s personal dissatisfaction may have come from Jackson’s feedback. Jackson still wants to see more from Pryor and expected him to catch the third-and-1 ball.
“I know what he’s capable of doing, and he’s capable of doing a lot,” Jackson said. “I think his best football is still ahead of him. But he’s kind of like me: He’s a hothead, so I’ve got to tone him down. He wants to get every call from the official, and they’re not going to do that all the time. You’ve just got to keep playing. Let me worry about the officials.”
But the way Jackson creatively adapted after losing nine starters to injury since July, seven in the past week, and how he featured Pryor’s talents drew raves in the locker room.
“You feel really good about Terrelle Pryor’s ability to help this offense because we’ve been kind of bereft of playmakers for a while now,” left tackle Joe Thomas said.
“That guy, what an incredible football player, to be able to play multiple positions at this level and to do the things he can,” right tackle Austin Pastor said.
“He really put the offense on his back when he had the opportunity,” receiver Andrew Hawkins said. “I’m glad he’s on our team.”
As he fights with every ounce of energy, Pryor will continue to try to be a leader in his own way. What he may not realize is that with every Gifford-like day on the field, his passion may help resurrect the moribund franchise. Rookie receiver Rashard Higgins, who heard Pryor say Wednesday he would cut off his finger to win, may eventually understand what he meant.
“They’ve got to pull me off this dang field because I love the game, man. There’s nothing I’d rather do,” Pryor said. “It’s God, Jesus, my son and then football. That’s it for me, really.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.