Pryor works out for 17 teams, won't appeal

updated 8:10 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2011

GREENSBURG, Pa. - Terrelle Pryor worked out for 17 NFL teams Saturday and said afterward he wouldn't appeal his five-week suspension at the start of the NFL season.

With the former Ohio State quarterback trying to prove he should be taken in Monday's supplemental draft, spectators included Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.

"Whatever team I have an opportunity to play for, I will sign a contract," Pryor said following a hastily arranged pro day at a high school stadium near his hometown of Jeannette, Pa. "I will not forego it and enter into next year's draft."

Pryor, appearing in top shape, worked out at a high school stadium near his hometown of Jeannette, Pa. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and threw an array of passes.

"I would like the opportunity to play quarterback," he said, "but I'll do anything that a team needs me to do to win."

Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel also made an appearance, supporting his former star player after resigning under pressure amid an NCAA investigation that Pryor and others improperly sold memorabilia.

Pryor left school for the NFL after Tressel's departure.

"Did great," Tressel said of the 6-foot-5, 232-pound Pryor. "He would help lots of teams."

The NFL allowed Pryor into the draft Thursday with the caveat that he wouldn't be allowed to practice for the team that selected him until Week 6. The quarterback would have faced a five-game suspension had he stayed at Ohio State.

Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press on Thursday that "we accept that voluntarily." But the player's attorney, David Cornwell, told ESPN Radio on Friday that it was "likely" the five-game punishment would be appealed once Pryor signed an NFL contract.

Pryor said Saturday there would be no appeal.

"I'd like to thank the commissioner, Mr. (Roger) Goodell, for giving me the opportunity to play in the NFL," he said. "It's a dream of mine to play quarterback here. We will not appeal. I'll serve (the suspension), along with my senior Buckeye buddies, because I did a wrong thing when I was young and I must serve it."

Appearing in top shape, Pryor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and threw an array of passes, completing all but a handful. But at times he appeared unfamiliar with his receivers' intentions.

"I missed three targets," he said. "I don't know if guys were dropping ball, or whatever. These guys I've never worked with before, but I've still got to hit it. It felt good."

Other NFL teams represented were Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, New England, New Orleans, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Washington.

At least one team came away not impressed enough to take Pryor.

Irsay posted on his Twitter account: "Not taking Pryor . . .what VET QB would u vote 4 to sign that's out there? If sum1 has 2 hold the fort early season, who u going with?"

The Colts might be without Peyton Manning, who is recovering from neck surgery, to start the season.

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, who has been tutoring Pryor in recent months, was impressed with Pryor's performance, which lasted roughly two hours.

"He showed good feet and good arm strength," Anderson said. "Like all young quarterbacks, he has to go out and play football. But he showed what his potential could be."

Pryor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has called Pryor a "first-round talent" as a quarterback, but most observers have him going in the middle rounds and perhaps as another position players, such as tight end.

"I would like the opportunity to play quarterback," Pryor said, "but I'll do anything that a team needs me to do to win.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44214610/ns/sports-nfl/

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