Top 3 reasons Calvin Pryor takes back respect

Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) makes an interception against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As of now, Calvin Pryor has less than 120 days to prepare himself, take back respect and make his case for a future with the New York Jets or his next NFL family.

It’s important to realize, there’s no need to ask why there have been discussions about the lack of respect for safety Calvin Pryor, his secondary game, and future with the New York Jets. It’s all simple math. The Jets not picking up his fifth-year option and entertaining future contract negotiations is contingent upon his numbers, thus far unimpressive, from 2014 rookie year to the end of the upcoming 2017 season.

Stranger things have happened and certainly, some unexpected event could take place between now and the end of the 2017 regular season that inspires head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan to change their minds on Pryor’s future at 1 Jets Drive.

Obviously, it’s all up to Pryor and having a future in Jets land entails doing all the right things during the offseason and spring training.  Certainly, there are plenty of motivators.

Let’s look at what may be three of the biggest motivators.

Next: The Competition

May 5, 2017; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets player Jamal Adams (33) during New York Jets mini rookie camp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Competition

Competition is the catalyst to greatness. It incites creativity and the will power to out-work and out-perform.

On April 27, Bowles and Maccagnan’s first two safety picks cultivated a competitive environment which logically should rouse and inflame Pryor to reach his potential. All because, the spirit of rivalry heightens awareness and brings out the beast Jets fans would absolutely love to see lurking around deep, down the football field.

As how in the animal kingdom, competition keeps the protectors alert and according to coach Bowles about Pryor:

“if you’re afraid of completion…you don’t need to be here.”  (Connor Hughes/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Even if said moves shouldn’t be taken personal, for reasons all great athletes find, it would be advantageous for Pryor to make this personal, very personal. His job is on the line from here on out if he doesn’t use this new competition as motivation to reach his true potential.

Next: The Contract

The Contract

For Jets fans, 2015 was a good year. They surprised the football world by posting a 10-6 record and came within a game of making the NFL Playoffs.

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This was also Pryor’s year. He had “it” and drafting the second-year strong safety was beginning to make sense. Then, last season happened.

Notwithstanding, the real conversation is about 2016 and how Pryor breached the unwritten but implied portion of his contract—make magic, make plays. Hence, the lackluster defense that produced very little sacks, fumble recoveries, and Pro Bowl appearances.

Pryor’s fourth year begins this fall. And two high production seasons out of four is 50 percent productivity.  Put differently, if Pryor can manage an earth-shattering performance during his time on the field, this leverage then affords him greater than 50 percent probability of having a team to play for in 2018 as well as bargaining chips for a proportionately decent amount of money on the next contract.

This should motivate him beyond words since he could potentially be out of a job in a year. It’s time for him to prove his worth and give either the Jets or another team a reason to invest in him.

Next: Pride and Pryor

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) during an injury timeout in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Pride and Pryor

Pride, a powerful motivator often drives one who refuses to fail.  For Pryor, it all about the man he sees staring back at him:

“I’ve got nothing to prove to the fans [or] the outside world” … “It’s all about me. I’ve got to look myself in the mirror. That’s all I’m worried about.” (Brian Costello/NYPost.com)

It doesn’t end with the draft. Neither does it end with a signature on a multi-million-dollar football contract. Quickly, Pryor is forced to ascertain that he hasn’t ‘arrived’ and perhaps should also realize that a comfortable place is a bedfellow to complacency.  Pryor is only four years removed from the once revered title of “Louisville slugger”.

Next: Josh McCown ready to groom future quarterbacks

He is still young, fast, hungry and hopefully repositioning himself to once again channel his inner slugger. Expect to see a whole different side of Pryor this time around since he’s going to be beyond motivated to deliver a season worth mentioning.