09/01/2014

Matt Flynn - Official Back Up

Matt Flynn selected as backup QB

Mark Hoffman

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy avoided having to make a decision whether to keep Matt Flynn or Scott Tolzien. But after managing to keep both on his 53-man roster, he had to choose one to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup. He chose Flynn.

10 cut players signed to practice squad

Aug. 31, 2014

Green Bay — Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy 

          • avoided having to make a decision whether to keep

Matt 

Flynn

          • or

Scott

Tolzien

But after managing to keep both on his 53-man roster, he had to choose one to be Aaron Rodgers' backup.

He chose Flynn.

McCarthy did not say why, but it's pretty obvious he sided with experience over potential. If he didn't think Tolzien had the ability to be better than Flynn, he probably wouldn't have kept him.

Flynn, however, was solid throughout camp and while he trailed his competition statistically in games (112.0 passer rating to 82.3), he apparently played well enough for McCarthy to think he gave the team the best chance to win if Rodgers gets hurt.

"I feel like I'm playing well. I feel like I'm in control of what I'm doing," Flynn said after practice Sunday. "I'm in control of what I'm doing physically and mentally. I feel good. I've always felt confident and comfortable going into seasons, but each year I feel like I'm getting better and better."

Flynn's chances for a starting job in the NFL have all but expired after failed opportunities in Seattle, Oakland and Buffalo, but the Packers value his play within their offense and the 2-2 record he posted last year while Rodgers was out with a broken collarbone.

Flynn was still dealing with an elbow problem that had popped up in training camp in Oakland when he took over the starting job for Rodgers and it was evident he did not have the arm strength he does now after an off-season of rest and rehab.

Another factor is the backup is instrumental in helping get the starter ready each week and Flynn's experience in the offense and the NFL are valued. Rodgers and Flynn have been together for five seasons and that could have been a factor.

Tolzien's arm strength appeared superior to Flynn's, and while his accuracy wasn't quite as good he showed he belonged on an NFL roster by completing 38 of 56 passes (67.9%) for 477 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions during the exhibition season.

His 112.0 pass rating was just under Rodgers' 116.6.

Had the Packers released Tolzien, there's little question he would have wound up with another NFL team. So, even though he could have used the roster spot somewhere else, McCarthy chose to keep Tolzien so he can keep developing him and see where things go.

It would not be unusual for Tolzien to eventually move ahead of Flynn this year based on his play in practice. But for now, Flynn is the backup and Tolzien is No. 3.

"Excited for them, playing so well," Rodgers said. "They both deserve to be on the roster, and it's good to have them both in the room."

We hardly missed you: The Packers didn't have to go very far to fill their practice squad.

They brought back 10 players they had cut Saturday and had passed through waivers Sunday.

The 10 were: safety Chris Banjo, receiver Kevin Dorsey, center Garth Gerhart, receiver Alex Gillett, running back MichaelHill, linebacker Adrian Hubbard, tight end Justin Perillo, defensive end LutherRobinson, tackle Jeremy Vujnovich and receiver Myles White.

All 10 participated in the team's practice Sunday.

No one the Packers cut was picked up on waivers by another team.

In other transactions, the Packers reached injury settlements with running back Rajion Neal, linebackerJoe Thomas and guard Andrew Tiller, all of whom were waived injured on the cutdown to 75. All of the players are free agents now.

The Packers did not waive linebacker Nate Palmer and defensive tackle Khyri Thornton injured, which means both will remain on injured reserve the entire year and be back next season. Tight end JakeStoneburner and tackle Aaron Adams were moved to reserve injured from waived injured.

Stoneburner is expected to reach an injury settlement and be let go.

Tryouts: More than likely it was just to update their emergency list, but the Packers had three recently released quarterbacks in for tryouts Sunday.

They were Pat Devlin, Jon Jennings and Jeff Mathews.

Devlin was cut by the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 19. The Dolphins originally signed him as a rookie free agent in 2011 and he was off and on their roster over the past three years. He has not played in a regular-season game and did not attempt a pass this preseason.

Jennings, an undrafted free agent this year, was released by the Kansas City Chiefs this summer. He did not attempt a pass in the preseason.

Mathews, an undrafted free agent from Cornell, was released on the first cut by the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 1-of-3 passes for 8 yards in the preseason.

In addition, the Packers worked out tackles Michael Bamiro and Manase Foketi, guard Adam Gettisand cornerback Robert Steeples.

All were cut in the last two weeks. Bamiro was with Philadelphia, Foketi was with New Orleans, Gettis was with Washington and Steeples was with Minnesota.

Injury report: Linebacker Brad Jones returned from a thigh injury that kept him out of practice and the Kansas City game last week.

There was no official injury report so it's not known whether Jones was limited or took part in the full padded practice.

Missing the workout were tight end Brandon Bostick (leg), cornerback Demetri Goodson (concussion) and center JC Tretter (knee).

The Packers practice Monday and Wednesday before leaving for Seattle.

Middle ground: Relieved to still be on the roster, linebacker Carl Bradford picked up where he left off last week on a position change.

Ineffective as an outside linebacker, the fourth-round pick was moved inside. He played considerably there against the Chiefs and was back inside for practice Sunday.

Bradford said he watched tape of the Kansas City game and said he knows what things he did wrong.

"I saw where I do feel pretty comfortable at it," Bradford said. "But you could tell it's a new position. Just little things, like my alignments, lining up in the right gap. Just attacking the offensive line with the right shoulder. Just little things you have to perfect."

Appearances by Green Bay Packers Current and Retired Players

Mayfield Sports Marketing athletes (Green Bay Packers Current and Retired Players)  are committed to each event they attend and raising . Throughout 2013-2014, Mayfield Sports Marketing athletes and celebrities had the opportunity to make numerous appearances. Appearances included nonprofit fundraisers, school visits, motivational speaking engagements and many other events and programs.

Call Now
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram