One day after Brandon Marshall torched the Pro Bowl playing field with four touchdowns, including an unbelievable highlight-reel catch, everyone is asking: what could this guy be capable of if he had a legit quarterback? Marshall himself didn’t shy away from the topic in in-game and post-game interviews, referring to “a few different quarterbacks” he’s dealt with since being separated from Jay Cutler in Denver. “It’s easy for me to make the catch,” he said. “It was the quarterbacks.”
Seeing that Marshall is the primary offensive weapon for the Miami Dolphins, this question has to be on the forefront of their mind. Could Matt Flynn be the answer?
As I outlined in my previous article about Matt Flynn, he is gearing up for a major pay day once the doors open to free agency.
The Packers knew that he was an impending free agent, so they used Week 17 not only as a time to let Aaron Rodgers get ice cold in time for the playoffs, but also use it as a platform for Flynn to showcase his talents to the league, and showcase he did. We all remember the beat down he put on the Lions, so let us discuss it anymore.
Now we must look ahead and determine what the best possible destination for him is. The Redskins, Seahawks, Browns and the Dolphins are all in need of a pivot, so which one of them will break the bank for the unproven Flynn?
After the Fins rid themselves of Tony Sparano, they hired offensive guru Joe Philbin from the Packers. That sure smells like a packaged deal. Hire the coordinator and he will bring the quarterback gift wrapped along with him.
So is Matt Flynn a good fit for Dolphins? After they started the season 0-7, Miami turned themselves around and finished the season with a respectable 6-10 record. Little of this was attributed to solid play under center, but rather a solid offensive line and a couple of nice offensive weapons.
Left tackle Jake Long, the first overall pick from 2008 draft, and center Mike Pouncey, their stud rookie, are two of the best at their position in the league. The amazing play of Reggie Bush this year can be placed squarely on their broad shoulders. The increase in touches and trust that he was given to carry the ball 20+ a game surely helped, but having two maulers like these guys never hurts your cause.
Not only can Long and Pouncey run block, they are also solid in pass protection. Brandon Marshall is one of the more underrated receivers in the league, and despite having to catch passes from the little-feared (except by their own fans) combination of CHad Henne and Matt Moore, Marshall went for his usual 81 catches and 1200+ yards. Imagine his production with some actual arm strength in the pocket? The Pro Bowl may be just the beginning.
So Miami sure does seem like a nice fit for Flynn. If running back Daniel Thomas can stay healthy and offer some Thunder so Reggie’s Lightning, a nice pair of backs could be formed. A secondary receiver can be had in the second round, possibly a Kendall Wright out of Baylor or Nick Toon from Wisconsin. Their first round pick could be used on the other tackle position or to shore up the front seven, the Fins could be on the road to contention.
Joe Philbin did not call the plays in Green Bay, but he is the architect that built the Packers offense into what it is today. Jennings, Finley, Driver and Nelson became stars in the plays that Philbin drew up, and Marshall, Bush and Daniel Thomas could benefit from a similar design. However, that design falls apart without the right man under center.
Miami will need to spread things out if Flynn is going to be successful. He does not have the arm strength to stand back in the pocket and make pinpoint passes. But if he has a pair of tight ends and three receivers split out wide, he will be able to get the ball down the field to them.
Is Flynn a lock to Miami? Not necessarily. There are still plenty of other options and many dominoes to fall in the quarterback market this offseason — Peyton of course being the biggest one. But he is more that likely headed to a team that is already in contention, so those in the Flynn market have little chance. Then there is the RGIII race, which is likely to heat up as the draft draws near.
Whoever misses out on those two will surely look directly at Flynn and tell him to name his price.
