Matt Flynn - "best backup in the league"

[Brandon494]

Next Mark Brunell? Sorry I just don't see it.

You're right - you just don't see it. Just like we didn't see much of Rodgers before he became the starter.

Maybe you didn't but I did. I'm a huge VT fan and I had to watch that SOB(before we was drafted by the Packers of course ) go on a aerial assault and lead Cal from a 14 point deficit to beat Tech in a bowl game.

Not to mention when he came in for Favre in the Dallas game he did a pretty damn good job.

Exactly what has Fylnn showed?

[SkinBasket]

Exactly what has Fylnn showed?

More than Dez Bryant at this level, yet you have him as the next sure fire HOFer.

[RashanGary]

Next Mark Brunell? Sorry I just don't see it.

You're right - you just don't see it. Just like we didn't see much of Rodgers before he became the starter.

Maybe you didn't but I did. I'm a huge VT fan and I had to watch that SOB(before we was drafted by the Packers of course ) go on a aerial assault and lead Cal from a 14 point deficit to beat Tech in a bowl game.

Not to mention when he came in for Favre in the Dallas game he did a pretty damn good job.

Exactly what has Fylnn showed?

Ted Thompson has a way of drafting players for what they're good at and seemingly overlooking flaws that turn others away.


Nick Collins came from a tiny black school. I think sometimes people misunderstand him to be not very smart because he doesn't exactly blend beautifully into the mainstream fabric as others might. What makes him different, I think is one of his greatest strengths. I think he has a certain pride and connection with where he comes from, he doesn't try to be someone else. He's proud of who he is and while the ignorant still judge him wrongly, he's carried himself as a man and look where he is, look what he's accomplishing. He's more of a man than 99% of people who judge him. Point being, I think Ted has a way of seeing people that's a little more pure than judgemental. Like great GM's of the past, I think there is a virtuous quality of seeing the good in all types of people. I wouldn't say Ted overlooked a negative quality, but that he saw greatness where someone else might not have understood difference.

Greg Jennings came from a small school in Michigan. He's not tall enough, wasn't a super burner in the 4.3's, but he was a gamer. Ted sort of shrugged, I think he looks pretty fast. He said, "I know he's in a small school and the talent level is different, but he's doing the things we're going to ask him to do and he's great at it".

Clay Matthews only played a year of college defense. Ted thought he looked spectacular on the tape. It was one year, oh well. Take him.

Rodgers came from a Tedford system. He was supposed to fail like those before him. Ted thought he was pretty good, took him anyway.

Sitton came from a small school. He doesn't have a perfect body. I still remember what Ted said when he drafted him, he said, "this guy has a way of always blocking his guy". It stood out to me at the time as a Tedism. Some guys he'll mention ability or in a round about way hint to potential, but with Sitton the only things he had to say was, this guy plays really fuckin good.


There's always been a, "I'm smarter than you" mantra that some people have gotten from Ted, like he's trying to outsmart people. But I think he's an old school football guy who's just focused on how they play the game. Will he take a guy even if he has a judged wart? Sure. Does he let common perception dominate his thinking or the thinking of his room? No, not really. But he has experience and an open mind in what he does that I think pays off, even if those who believe, "common perception is right because it's common and if it weren't right, it wouldnt' be so common" disagree. I guess Ted does conduct himself in a way that shows he believes he's smarter than the common traditional viewpoint and really, I think we're pretty lucky that he IS.

So when it comes to Flynn, I've gotten a feel from the Packers, similar to what McGinn writes here that he's a gamer. Who cares if he has a judged wart? When he gets on the field, he's good. It's not about fitting into a box, it's about finding away. Flynn, like the great picks before him, finds a way. He's a Ted guy, a gamer.

[The Leaper]

I'm not so sure that one of the lower level regional scouts would be identified by McGinn as "an executive in personnel for an NFL club".

Al Davis, perhaps?

Matt Millen would also qualify if still employed.

There are dumbasses a plenty in the NFL.

However, Flynn is a pretty good player IMO. I think he will surprise people this preseason with how good he is. Best backup in the league? Nah. But he's probably top 10 without question, and with a good preseason could be top 5.

[Packgator]

[/quote]Sitton came from a small school.[/quote]

Being in C-USA does put UCF in the "small school" category as it relates to football. But here is a fun (and probably little known) fact......

2009-10 list of largest "on campus" universities by enrollment

1. Arizona State.........55,552
2. Ohio State.............55,014
3. UCF.......................53,537

Full list can be seen here......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_United_States_university_campuses_by_enrollment

UCF will soon be in one of the major conferences.

[Patler]

I'm not so sure that one of the lower level regional scouts would be identified by McGinn as "an executive in personnel for an NFL club".

Al Davis, perhaps?

Matt Millen would also qualify if still employed.

There are dumbasses a plenty in the NFL.

However, Flynn is a pretty good player IMO. I think he will surprise people this preseason with how good he is. Best backup in the league? Nah. But he's probably top 10 without question, and with a good preseason could be top 5.

I agree, the fact that two like him so much is meaningless, because they all make plenty of mistakes.

As I said before, I provided the link not to argue the accuracy of the evaluations, just to point out that they exist. To be honest, I would not have guessed that anyone thought so highly of Flynn, as to say what these guys did. The kid hasn't even played, and someone suggests he is the best backup in the league, may turn out to be better than Romo, etc.????

[Tarlam!]

Ted Thompson has a way of drafting players for what they're good at and seemingly overlooking flaws that turn others away.


Nick Collins came from a tiny black school. I think sometimes people misunderstand him to be not very smart because he doesn't exactly blend beautifully into the mainstream fabric as others might. What makes him different, I think is one of his greatest strengths. I think he has a certain pride and connection with where he comes from, he doesn't try to be someone else. He's proud of who he is and while the ignorant still judge him wrongly, he's carried himself as a man and look where he is, look what he's accomplishing. He's more of a man than 99% of people who judge him. Point being, I think Ted has a way of seeing people that's a little more pure than judgemental. Like great GM's of the past, I think there is a virtuous quality of seeing the good in all types of people. I wouldn't say Ted overlooked a negative quality, but that he saw greatness where someone else might not have understood difference.

Greg Jennings came from a small school in Michigan. He's not tall enough, wasn't a super burner in the 4.3's, but he was a gamer. Ted sort of shrugged, I think he looks pretty fast. He said, "I know he's in a small school and the talent level is different, but he's doing the things we're going to ask him to do and he's great at it".

Clay Matthews only played a year of college defense. Ted thought he looked spectacular on the tape. It was one year, oh well. Take him.

Rodgers came from a Tedford system. He was supposed to fail like those before him. Ted thought he was pretty good, took him anyway.

Sitton came from a small school. He doesn't have a perfect body. I still remember what Ted said when he drafted him, he said, "this guy has a way of always blocking his guy". It stood out to me at the time as a Tedism. Some guys he'll mention ability or in a round about way hint to potential, but with Sitton the only things he had to say was, this guy plays really fuckin good.


There's always been a, "I'm smarter than you" mantra that some people have gotten from Ted, like he's trying to outsmart people. But I think he's an old school football guy who's just focused on how they play the game. Will he take a guy even if he has a judged wart? Sure. Does he let common perception dominate his thinking or the thinking of his room? No, not really. But he has experience and an open mind in what he does that I think pays off, even if those who believe, "common perception is right because it's common and if it weren't right, it wouldnt' be so common" disagree. I guess Ted does conduct himself in a way that shows he believes he's smarter than the common traditional viewpoint and really, I think we're pretty lucky that he IS.

So when it comes to Flynn, I've gotten a feel from the Packers, similar to what McGinn writes here that he's a gamer. Who cares if he has a judged wart? When he gets on the field, he's good. It's not about fitting into a box, it's about finding away. Flynn, like the great picks before him, finds a way. He's a Ted guy, a gamer.

I think this is one of the best posts you've ever made. I might argue with you on the Collins intelligence part. I might have a few additional or contrary thoughts. But this was, for me, a very mature, insightful post that I really enjoyed reading. Thank you.

[Lurker64]

One thing to consider is that "best backup QB in the NFL" may not be the highest praise.

Let's look at all the QBs on the rosters of the other 31 teams right now (according to NFL.com):

Chicago: Jay Cutler, Brett Basanez, Caleb Hannie, Dan LeFevour, Mike Teel
Detroit: Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Drew Stanton
Minnesota: Brett Favre, Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, Joe Webb
Arizona: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall.
San Francisco: Alex Smith, Jarrett Brown, David Carr, Nate Davis
Seattle: Matt Hasselbeck, J.P. Losman, Charlie Whitehurst
St. Louis: A.J. Feeley, Sam Bradford, Keith Null, Thaddeus Lewis
Atlanta: Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, John Parker Wilson
Carolina: Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen, Hunter Cantwell, Tony Pike
New Orleans: Drew Brees, Patrick Ramsey, Chase Daniel, Sean Canfield
Tampa Bay: Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Rudy Carpenter
Dallas: Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee, Matt Nichols.
New York Giants: Eli Manning, Rhett Bomar, Jim Sorgi
Philadelphia: Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick, Mike Kafka.
Washington: Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman, John Beck, Richard Bartel
Baltimore: Joe Flacco, Marc Bulger, Troy Smith
Cincinnati: Carson Palmer, J.T. O'Sullivan, Jordan Palmer.
Cleveland: Jake Delhomme, Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Brett Ratliff
Pittsburgh: Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon, Byron Leftwich
Denver: Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow
Kansas City: Matt Cassel, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Palko
Oakland: Jason Campbell, Kyle Boller, Bruce Gradkowski, Colt Brennan, Charlie Frye
San Diego: Philip Rivers, Billy Volek, Johnathan Crompton
Houston: Matt Schaub, Dan Orlovsky, John David Booty.
Indianapolis: Peyton Manning, Curtis Painter, Tom Brandstater, Tim Hiller.
Jacksonville: David Garrard, Luke McCown, Trevor Harris.
Tennessee: Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Chris Simms, Rusty Smith
Buffalo: Trent Edwards, Brian Brohm, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Levi Brown
Miami: Chad Henne, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Pat White
New England: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Zac Robinson
New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, Mark Brunell, Kellen Clemens, Kevin O'Connel

So how many of those teams are you seriously convinced have two quarterbacks better than Matt Flynn?

There's a lot of guys with a lot of potential in there who haven't shown it yet (Bradford, Clausen, Tebow) but a lot of the backups in there are guys who came in with a lot of hype and proved to be somewhat less (Quinn, Brohm). There's a lot of guys who used to be good (Brunell, Bulger), and a bunch of guys who used to start but weren't all that good (Leftwich, Losman), and then there's a bunch of guys who we really have little idea about and Flynn is in that last camp. Could he be better than all the guys we've never heard of, and a bunch of the guys we have? Sure, a lot of things are possible. Could he be worse than a bunch of other guys? I can see that too. But one thing is clear to me after compiling that list, we could certainly do worse than Matt Flynn.

[Brandon494]

Exactly what has Fylnn showed?

More than Dez Bryant at this level, yet you have him as the next sure fire HOFer.

If throwing for 58 passing yards with 0 TDs makes you the best backup QB in your eyes then so be it.

I said believe Dez Bryant will be a solid WR in the NFL, thats far from me saying he is a sure HOFer but nice to see your still on my nuts.

[falco]

This is one of those things you hope you never have to prove.

Flynn sure seems to have developed good composure over the last 2 years.

[Brandon494]

We have the best backup QB in the league!!! GO PACK GO!

[Pugger]

I don't know who those two scouts were but they better start looking for a new line of work if they think Fylnn is the best backup QB in the league.

So let me get this straight, even though he is average to below average in practice and hasnt even throw a TD or for 100 yards for his career they think he is the best backup?

Is he a good athlete? yes

but just because he won a national championship behind a powerful running game and the #1 defense in the country at LSU doesn't make him a future starter in this league. Next Mark Brunell? Sorry I just don't see it.

If he was the best backup in the NFL he wouldn't have lost the back up jobs in Seattle, Oakland or Buffalo. Its nice he's back in GB but I don't know if he's really any better than Tolzien.

[Zool]

If he was the best backup in the NFL he wouldn't have lost the back up jobs in Seattle, Oakland or Buffalo. Its nice he's back in GB but I don't know if he's really any better than Tolzien.

If you could somehow mix Tolziens arm with Flynn's brain you might really have something.

[woodbuck27]

If he was the best backup in the NFL he wouldn't have lost the back up jobs in Seattle, Oakland or Buffalo. Its nice he's back in GB but I don't know if he's really any better than Tolzien.

Evidently then he's 'justa' backup QB and not a NO.1.

Evidently he's a great backup QB. TT must think so.

PACKERS !

[Harlan Huckleby]

If he was the best backup in the NFL he wouldn't have lost the back up jobs in Seattle, Oakland or Buffalo. Its nice he's back in GB but I don't know if he's really any better than Tolzien.

TT preferred Seneca Wallace to Flynn.

The Packers need a guy who knows the offense and can backup Sunday. That proves that they like Flynn better than Graham Harrell.

It's possible that Flynn will beat-out Tolzien next summer, but I expect MM is all-in with Tolzien for this fall.