Pryor's lawyer plans to appeal QB's five-game suspension
NFL.com Wire Reports
Published: Aug. 19, 2011 at 10:10 a.m. Updated: Aug. 19, 2011 at 11:55 a.m.
One day after the NFL announced that Terrelle Pryor would be eligible for its supplemental draft, but won't be allowed to practice for the team that selects him until Week 6, his lawyer said Friday they planned to appeal the suspension.
Pryor's camp initially said that they would not appeal the decision, but David Cornwell, Pryor's attorney, told ESPN Radio Friday morning that he was "not pleased" with the decision and planned to fight it.
"(Commissioner Roger Goodell) indicated that we have the right to appeal within three days after Terrelle signs an NFL contract, and given some of the developments -- both in reaching the decision and comments out of the (NFL Players Association) regarding the decision -- I think it's likely that we will file an appeal, and give the Players Association an opportunity to make its objections to this on the record," Cornwell said.
Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith worked together on the decision, according to Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who originally backed the deal Thursday.
The NFL hopes the suspension will dissuade future college players who run afoul of the NCAA from trying to use the NFL as a means of escaping punishment.
Citing a union source, NFL Network's Albert Breer reported the NFLPA was prepared to fight any suspension levied on Pryor that related to his actions as a collegian.
One of the points of contention during negotiations for a new NFL labor agreement was the authority given to Goodell to hand out punishment. In the end, there were no changes to Goodell's position, but his decision to suspend Pryor worried players.
"I know players are concerned about the message this sends," said Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the players' executive committee. "Granted, making this 'deal' was an individual decision made by a player with counsel from his agent and lawyer. They have every right to make whatever deal they want for his personal future. That being said, the general concern now is how far into Pandora's box this may go."
The supplemental draft was supposed to be held Wednesday, and Pryor's name wasn't on the NFL's initial list of players. But it was postponed a few days, and Pryor's name showed up Thursday.
If he hadn't been ruled eligible, Pryor would have had to wait until next April for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Regarded as the nation's top quarterback recruit coming out of high school, Pryor led Ohio State to an 8-1 record as a starter and was the Big Ten Conference's freshman of the year in 2008. He took the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title the following season and a victory in the Rose Bowl. He was named the game's MVP after Ohio State beat Oregon 26-17.
Pryor had his best season statistically as a junior in 2010, throwing for 2,772 yards and 27 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also ran for 754 yards and four scores while helping the Buckeyes win the Sugar Bowl.
Shortly before the game, it was revealed that Pryor and other players traded Buckeyes memorabilia for cash and discounted tattoos. In the following months, it became clear that coach Jim Tressel knew about the improper benefits in the spring of 2010 but didn't inform his bosses, as was required under his contract and NCAA rules. Tressel was forced out of his job May 30, and Pryor left Ohio State soon after.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Why bother, as someone said, he won't be playing in those 5 games anyway.
He should be happy he doesn't have to wait until next April.
