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.