Matt Flynn in 2011?
By author
With Super Bowl XLV MVP QB Aaron Rodgers nursing one of his concussions last season, backup Matt Flynn was called into significant action on two occasions. On the 1st, Flynn took over midway through the Lions game on December 12th. However, he struggled to generate points (3) and move the chains.
The following week, Flynn would get a chance to start against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. He made the most of it, to say the least. He threw for 251 yards and 3 TD’s, almost driving the Pack to a last-minute victory (they lost 27-31).
According to Rotoworld.com, “The National Football Post’s Dan Pompei confirms that “teams in need of a quarterback are taking a good look” at Green Bay’s Matt Flynn.” Pompei believes that he can be had for a 2nd round pick.
While I’m still a Levi Brown backer, most would consider us a team in need of a QB. In the event that Buddy Nix and the Bills are doing their due diligence, I figured I should as well. I flipped on some game tape and this is my read on Matt Flynn and how he may (or may not) fit into the Bills’ future.
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 225
Age: 25
College: LSU (2008 7th round pick)
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Here’s my brief scouting report on Flynn:
-Has above-average accuracy. Tries to put a bit too much touch on some of his passes. He’ll under-throw some deeper passes and throw behind targets.
-He doesn’t put much zip on his passes. He’s a bit of a soft-thrower. He’ll try to fit some passes into windows that close before his throws can get there. It would probably be rare if he left a game without throwing at least one pick
-Doesn’t have a cannon, but he has good enough arm strength
-Winding delivery. Doesn’t have the quickest release and he’ll telegraph a few throws
-He’s relatively smart with the football. While he does force a couple of throws a game, he has the awareness to just throw it out of bounds and live another down if it’s not there
-Plays with confidence and poise. He has solid pocket presence, stepping up as opposed to bailing when some outside pressure comes at him. Scans the field and can make multiple reads without panicking
-Shows some positive attributes, but I don’t feel he’s ready to be a starter. He has a chance to develop into something more, but I’m not convinced he’ll ever be a full-time guy. At the least, he should be a good backup QB.
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Matt Flynn has the potential to develop into a starting QB in the NFL, but I’m really not as bullish on him as the Packers seem to be. I wouldn’t even come close to trading a 2nd round pick for him. It wouldn’t be enough to get him, but I would value him as being worth a 4th round pick. At the very least, he’s a good backup with potential to start down the road.
Even if I felt comfortable enough with him as my future signal caller to ship off a Day 2 pick, I can’t justify trading away that pick for a guy with so little tape. This situation seems eerily similar to another backup QB with one impressive outing. I’ll take you down (painful) memory lane…
Rob Johnson was drafted in the 4th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. He spent his first two seasons backing up Steve Beuerlein and Mark Brunell. His first start was Week 1 in 1997, where he set the record for the highest completion percentage in a QB’s debut game. Once Mark Brunell reclaimed the starting role, Johnson was shipped off to the Bills for a 1st and 4th round pick (and signed to a 5-year, $25 million contract). The rest was history.
Flynn has spent the past three seasons backing up Aaron Rodgers. Flynn beat out 2008 2nd round pick Brian Brohm, relegating Brian to the practice squad that season. The coaching staff expresses supreme confidence in his ability as a starter, but he will never see the field unless Rodgers remains injury prone. He remains a nice insurance policy for that situation, but Flynn’s rookie contract expires after the 2011 season and the ever-conscious GM Ted Thompson will probably try to get what he can for him as long as it’s fair.
I wish Matt Flynn the best of luck no matter what happens, but, to be honest, I would rather he doesn’t end up in Buffalo.