Gawain
Footballguy
Now I'm not claiming he's going to be a top-15 QB or anything, but I'm warming up to Flynn as a decent QB2 in start-1 leagues if you have a strong first quarterback, or as a high upside QB3 in 2-QB leagues.
The 2012 Seahawks training camp where he was beat out by Wilson is causing a lot of people to think that he wasn't cut out to be a starter. What has been lost over the past year is how close the competition really was.
Flynn went 28 for 39 for 204 yards, a TD and a pick for a passer rating of 81.6.
Those aren't otherworldly numbers, but Flynn also faced the stronger defensive units in the preseason. Flynn started week 1, while Wilson had better production in the second half. The same thing occurred in the second game, where Flynn played competently (by no means well though) and Wilson lit it up in the second half. Week three was when Wilson ascended to the top of the pecking order against the Chiefs. KC foreshadowed how bad they would be in the regular season by letting the hawks jump on them 30-7 with almost a full half remaining. Flynn was shut down during the second half and only attempted 5 passes, completing 3 of them. Week 4 had Wilson cemented as the opening day starter, while Flynn managed to get in a good half against the Raiders' #2 defense. Much like weeks 1 and 2, the second QB looked much better, with Flynn outplaying Wilson in all aspects of the game. However, the choice for starter had already been made.
I don't think it is impossible that had the situations been reversed (Wilson facing the ones and Flynn the twos in the first two preseason games) that Flynn would have emerged the starter. Flynn didn't look dynamic until the fourth preseason game and by then it was already too late.
Fast-forward to 2013 and we have Flynn coming to the Raiders. The Raiders also draft a QB named Wilson and talks of Flynn's demise begin anew. Unlike 2012, Tyler sounds much less polished than Russell. T. Wilson has reportedly been pushed down the depth chart by heralded newcomer Matt McGloin. Pryor remains locked into the second QB role, but it was pretty apparent from 2012, week 17 and the actions of the front office that no one is ready to give the keys to Pryor. Training camp reports have also been positive about Flynn, claiming he is "cementing" his role as QB1.
Flynn's arm isn't the strongest, but the Raiders should be running a system that requires accuracy (which Flynn does have look at his >70% completion percentage in the 2012 preseason) over arm strength. The competition for his job has failed to materialize and he is playing well enough at the moment to quiet any calls for a free agent. There is a good pass catching back in McFadden to take some pressure off of Flynn. No one is confusing the Raiders wide receivers with the Vikings of 1998, but Moore, Criner, Ford and Streater are all relatively quick. They should perform well for a shorter passing attack based on accuracy which is right in Flynn's wheelhouse. The Raiders also should have an average to below-average defense, forcing the team to score points to win games, instead of keeping the score down like the Seahawks of 2012.
All this causes me to look favorably on Flynn for this year. I also am a believer in dynasty. I think he will play well enough to QB the Raiders for the next few years. I doubt he will ever be a difference maker in a start-1 QB league, but he'd make a very cheap backup and in 2QB leagues he's much cheaper than other starters, with most people still valuing Tyler Wilson over Flynn.
The 2012 Seahawks training camp where he was beat out by Wilson is causing a lot of people to think that he wasn't cut out to be a starter. What has been lost over the past year is how close the competition really was.
Flynn went 28 for 39 for 204 yards, a TD and a pick for a passer rating of 81.6.
Those aren't otherworldly numbers, but Flynn also faced the stronger defensive units in the preseason. Flynn started week 1, while Wilson had better production in the second half. The same thing occurred in the second game, where Flynn played competently (by no means well though) and Wilson lit it up in the second half. Week three was when Wilson ascended to the top of the pecking order against the Chiefs. KC foreshadowed how bad they would be in the regular season by letting the hawks jump on them 30-7 with almost a full half remaining. Flynn was shut down during the second half and only attempted 5 passes, completing 3 of them. Week 4 had Wilson cemented as the opening day starter, while Flynn managed to get in a good half against the Raiders' #2 defense. Much like weeks 1 and 2, the second QB looked much better, with Flynn outplaying Wilson in all aspects of the game. However, the choice for starter had already been made.
I don't think it is impossible that had the situations been reversed (Wilson facing the ones and Flynn the twos in the first two preseason games) that Flynn would have emerged the starter. Flynn didn't look dynamic until the fourth preseason game and by then it was already too late.
Fast-forward to 2013 and we have Flynn coming to the Raiders. The Raiders also draft a QB named Wilson and talks of Flynn's demise begin anew. Unlike 2012, Tyler sounds much less polished than Russell. T. Wilson has reportedly been pushed down the depth chart by heralded newcomer Matt McGloin. Pryor remains locked into the second QB role, but it was pretty apparent from 2012, week 17 and the actions of the front office that no one is ready to give the keys to Pryor. Training camp reports have also been positive about Flynn, claiming he is "cementing" his role as QB1.
Flynn's arm isn't the strongest, but the Raiders should be running a system that requires accuracy (which Flynn does have look at his >70% completion percentage in the 2012 preseason) over arm strength. The competition for his job has failed to materialize and he is playing well enough at the moment to quiet any calls for a free agent. There is a good pass catching back in McFadden to take some pressure off of Flynn. No one is confusing the Raiders wide receivers with the Vikings of 1998, but Moore, Criner, Ford and Streater are all relatively quick. They should perform well for a shorter passing attack based on accuracy which is right in Flynn's wheelhouse. The Raiders also should have an average to below-average defense, forcing the team to score points to win games, instead of keeping the score down like the Seahawks of 2012.
All this causes me to look favorably on Flynn for this year. I also am a believer in dynasty. I think he will play well enough to QB the Raiders for the next few years. I doubt he will ever be a difference maker in a start-1 QB league, but he'd make a very cheap backup and in 2QB leagues he's much cheaper than other starters, with most people still valuing Tyler Wilson over Flynn.
Your post implies that the Raiders have an offensive line.
