INDIANAPOLIS — While Packers general manager Ted Thompson spoke under a veil of secrecy about Matt Flynn on Friday, his coach, Mike McCarthy, sounded like the QB’s biggest advocate when discussing the soon-to-be free agent at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy used Friday

“In my opinion, he’s ready to be an NFL starter. That’s just my opinion,” McCarthy said. “The business side will take care of itself. I don’t know what other opportunities he’ll have. If I was at a club and was looking for a good young quarterback, he’s definitely someone I’d talk to.”

McCarthy’s comments on Flynn were in stark contrast to those made earlier in the day by Thompson, who said his desire to hold on to all of his players precluded him from heaping praise on Aaron Rodgers‘ longtime backup.

“I’m not going to stand here and tell all the 31 other teams what I think about Matt Flynn,” Thompson said.

But where the poker-faced Thompson dared not go, McCarthy did … and did some more.

“Matt’s had a chance to play versus New England (in 2010), versus Detroit (in 2011), so based on what I’ve seen in the every day — classroom, practice field — he’s ready,” McCarthy said. “It’s his time to play.”

McCarthy knows Flynn’s small sample size makes him somewhat of a gamble on the free-agent market, but he believes it’s time that someone takes that chance.

“You don’t ever know if that backup quarterback can take that next step and go out and play 16 games. I know mentally, he’s ready; emotionally, he’s definitely ready,” McCarthy said. “But until you play the position and go play those 1,100, 1,200 snaps, that’s when you really find out. I think Matt’s ready for that.”

– Aron Angel

Posted in: Combine  | comments  |