Backup quarterback [intlink id=”84″ type=”category”]Matt Flynn[/intlink] made his first start for the Green Bay Packers in week 15’s 31-27 loss to the New England Patriots.
Despite the loss, Flynn looked impressive, throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns while completing 65 percent of his passes. That one performance was enough for the rest of the NFL to start salivating over Flynn, who many think is ready to be a starting quarterback.
There are a few indications, other than that one game, those drooling over Flynn may be right.
First, the guy is a winner. Flynn won a national championship with LSU in 2008, which is something his predecessor, JaMarcus Russell and his huge arm, never did. Word is, the former seventh-round pick has carried that mentality over to the pros.
Second, Flynn has spent three full seasons developing under the tutelage of [intlink id=”67″ type=”category”]Mike McCarthy[/intlink] and his quarterbacks coach, Tom Clements. In NFL circles, McCarthy and Clements are considered among the league’s best at developing quarterbacks. After three seasons learning the game, [intlink id=”25″ type=”category”]Aaron Rodgers[/intlink] was clearly ready to succeed [intlink id=”41″ type=”category”]Brett Favre[/intlink] and Flynn may be ready to take the next step as well.
Third is what I like to call Matt Ryan Syndrome. A lot of people love the [intlink id=”127″ type=”category”]Atlanta Falcons[/intlink] signal caller because, wait for it… he’s a winner (except in the playoffs). That’s true, but Ryan isn’t a guy who’s going to wow anyone with his arm. Ryan is a guy who takes what the defense gives him. Kind of reminds you of Matt Flynn.
If Matt Flynn wins a playoff game before Matt Ryan, can we finally put an end to the idiotic nickname Matty Ice? Or can we at least transfer it to someone with a personality like Matt Flynn? That’s a question for another time, I guess.
Anyway, there have been indications the Packers may get as high as a second-round pick for Flynn in a trade, although a third seems more likely.
It begs the question. Where is Matt Flynn more valuable to the Packers — behind Aaron Rodgers or somewhere else?
The answer would seem largely to depend on [intlink id=”1102″ type=”category”]Graham Harrell[/intlink], the Packers third quarterback. The team carried Harrell on the practice squad for most of the season, but he came up to the active roster when Flynn took over for Rodgers in week 15.
The Packers seem to like Harrell, but it’s debatable if he’s ready to be the team’s No. 2 quarterback after only one season in the Packers system. Rodgers isn’t injury-prone, but thrusting a second-year quarterback into the lineup could be a disaster, especially with a team trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
On the other hand, if the Packers can get a second-round pick for Flynn, it’s probably worth the risk. It’s only a matter of time before Flynn starts getting antsy riding the pine behind Rodgers and wants a shot of his own, anyway.
Keep him for another year. Would like to have him for another year as we don’t really know how serious A-Rod’s concussion issues are and want to make sure we have a reliable backup QB.
I like Graham Harrell. He has a bigger arm than Flynn and is a better athlete. He is unpolished, but give him another year or two.
If we can get a 2nd round pick for Flynn, you take it, as long as it isn’t within the division. I don’t think a 3rd rounder is enough. You keep him for at least one more year if that is all that is offered.
Packers need to do everything in their power to keep Flynn. Rodgers IS injury prone with 2 concussions this year & the way he has to scramble when his receivers are covered.
Flynn has proven himself & the Packers would be better off with him on the roster than trading him for a draft pick!
Go Pack
Geaux Tigers!
so getting headbutted by defensive linemen and linebackers is considered “Injury prone”…..geez, I wonder if Peyton manning got hit in the head, how soon you’d label him “Injury Prone”.
A-Rodge will likely reduce his scrambling as he gets older.
Now that he has the new helmet, he may never suffer from a concussion again! (there’s always hope)
No way we keep him. Isn’t he a free agent after this next season? Then we’ll get nothing for him. Draft a QB in the 4th-5th round or later to make sure we have a good backup (in either Harrell or the drafted QB)
If there is a good offer for him, trade him before he bolts and we get nothing. I like Graham Harrell and I think he will do fine having a full year under his belt and another offseason to polish things up.
Graham Harrell will never let you guys down. He is a ‘real’ natural talent. With the coaches you guys have, he will only rise to the top. If he’s ready to back-up, he’ll say so. If you need him to anyway, he will get it done. Also, he’s just a quality young man; the Packers will always be in good hands.
I like love Rogers, Flynn, and of course Graham. Unless Green Bay can split into three teams … this is gonna be a hard call! AAARRRRUUGGGGGGGG
Mark Sanchez sucks…has nothing to do with anything here…i just think Mark Sanchez sucks
He’s our new DOUG PEDERSON!!!
The way TT builds from the draft I think it would be a good move to get a 2nd round pick for Flynn if we can. Move Graham up and have TT find a QB in a later round. I’d go for a draft pick.
With the likelyhood of an 18 game season,a strong system smart backup QB will become imperative to have as even with an expanded roster,a smart coach will want to strategically sit his starter in two games for rest and the benefit of not rushing the starter back to quickly from a concussion or other week to week injury.
Flynn is that guy now but,with the QB school of MM and Harrell being IMO an underrated guy,trading Flynn for a good 2nd and a chance of a 1st this year is an absolute as we can get a QB in 2012 draft.
With a rookie salary being a definite and the probability of the Packers getting many comp picks from FA losses,we may get lucky and get Luck to replace Rodgers a few years later if need be.
His trade value may not be higher than it is right now, but it is a risky proposition to trade Flynn and keep Harrell (or someone else) as Rodgers’ backup. However, after this season and the moves Thompson made to acquire players like Walden, Peprah and Zombo, key players in the road to the SB, i trust TT would know what he is doing if Flynn is moved
Absolutly keep him..I mean why are we even considering anything else!
The 2nd coming of Matt Hasselback,who they let go way to cheap. Nothing less than a 2 for Flynn at this point in time. I say wait until pre-season and let the hype grow until a QB goes down with another team and they get desperate for a trade.
If we were to trade him for a 2nd, wouldn’t it make sense to draft a QB there? I know Brian Brohm bombed, but that’s never a sure thing.
I think it’s crazy to draft a late round QB just because we’ve done well there. It’s no certainty we’ll continue to get lucky with late round and FA QBs.