Titans "Keeping All Avenues Open" For Acquiring Quarterback
New Titans head coach Mike Munchak would not comment on possibly trading for Matt Flynn.
By PackerAaron
New Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak was asked numerous questions about how he plans to address the quarterback position. The Titans cut Vince Young loose and are letting Kerry Collins hit free agency. The only quarterback under contract, Rusty Smith, is clearly not a long term solution.
All the questions centered around the draft and the difficulties in having a rookie quarterback come in and start right away. While the league has shown some success in this regard the last few years (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Sam Bradford) the specters of guys like JaMarcus Russell, Tim Couch and, of course, Ryan Leaf loom large over any talent evaluator thinking of taking a quarterback high in the draft.
I asked Munchak about the possibility of looking at someone like Matt Flynn, who would obviously come in as someone with experience playing in the league (and at a pretty high level during his one NFL start to date). While he declined to get into specifics regarding Flynn or any other player under contract with an NFL team, he did say they would definitely be keeping "all avenues open". Munchak reiterated that stance in the hallway a little while after his time at the podium when he told Sirius NFL Radio that the Titans would "prefer a veteran quarterback" but that the outcome of the CBA situation could possibly force them to draft a rookie and hand him the keys.
Playing in the background on all of this is the fact that Packers General Manager Ted Thompson and Titans General Manager Mike Riendfelt are close friends.
File that under: I'm just sayin'.
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Comments (24)
February 24, 2011 at 02:23 pm
What would you expect the Packers to be able to get for Flynn? A 3rd round pick? A 3rd and a later round?
PackerAaron
February 24, 2011 at 02:24 pm
I think a 3rd is realistic.
February 24, 2011 at 02:24 pm
They need to get a first or second (this year) for Flynn, or else. Just too much riding on ARodg to risk for anything less. GB's chances of another SB make Flynn too valuable to let walk for less.
If such a situation were to develop, then a veteran would need to be obtained as the number 2; Harrell hasn't shown me anything, yet.
February 24, 2011 at 02:31 pm
Look at Matt Schaub and Matt Hasselbeck. I'd argue both were more seasoned and coveted when they were traded than Flynn is right now. In both instances, the trade involved swapping 1st round picks as well as a 3rd round pick (Hasselbeck) and two 2nds (Schaub).
A straight-up 1st will never happen. A 2nd is highly unlikely. I agree with Aaron - a 3rd is realistic.
February 24, 2011 at 02:47 pm
Plus, they're all Matts. He's got that going for him, too.
February 24, 2011 at 03:48 pm
Great point, redlights. I hadn't thought how valuable Flynn is to us. He's not simply a backup QB that we can trade away for more value than what we used to select him, he's a backup on a team that is one of the favorites to win the super bowl. Let's not leave our SB chances to luck: Rodgers not getting injured.
February 24, 2011 at 03:57 pm
I definitely agree, Flynn is far too valuable to us this year, especially given Rodgers injury history. Unless TT knows of a good veteran who's available to fill the role (and wouldn't you think if that's the case, others like the Bears, who obviously need a competent backup, would be going after him too?).
Now if Tennessee were willing to swap first rounders and throw in a 3rd, I'd be interested. But not just for a 3rd, not this year I wouldn't do it.
February 24, 2011 at 05:52 pm
R u kidding,Harrell showed more than Flynn in preseason
PackerAaron
February 24, 2011 at 06:27 pm
Sure, against guys who ended up in the UFL...
February 24, 2011 at 02:33 pm
I am hoping the pack draft Ricky Stanzi from Iowa in a later round. He looks real good and could be a back up for 4 years and then trade him off for some more picks. I like the kid, 6'4" throws over the top and is a quick learner. He reminds me of a poor mans Tom Brady.
February 24, 2011 at 02:54 pm
Stanzi is a gamer but throws way, WAY too many picks. And that's in the slow as molasses Big Ten.
February 24, 2011 at 03:18 pm
The real pressing question here is....Where will Kerry Collins land in free agency?
February 25, 2011 at 12:07 am
Jeff Garcia.
February 24, 2011 at 03:21 pm
I'm under the impression that unless the CBA gets straightened out before the draft that players will not be able to be traded just picks. Is that correct?
February 24, 2011 at 03:57 pm
Yes.
PackerAaron
February 24, 2011 at 04:03 pm
Correct, which is why Mike said that the CBA situation might force the to draft a QB.
February 24, 2011 at 06:00 pm
I read somewhere that Favre wants the Packers to send him a ring for tutoring Rodgers for 3 years.He said he spent so much time with him teaching him everything he knows.Also he wants to know if the deal from Murphy to stay retired for 20 million is still open.
February 24, 2011 at 06:29 pm
I'd need to see a source to believe this.
February 24, 2011 at 08:11 pm
Umm, I think you missed the sarcasm...
February 24, 2011 at 08:27 pm
I did. It's tough to detect on the internet on occasion.
February 24, 2011 at 08:46 pm
Hey - trade Flynn for a 3rd, then pull Burnt Fart out of "retirement" to back-up Rodgers.
Veteran.
Knows the system.
Perfect.
February 24, 2011 at 09:57 pm
Like where ur heads at Nagler. Keep the updates coming
February 24, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Funny!!
On a serious note, McNabb? Tavarius Jackson, Shaun Hill?
Laugh if you want, but trading Flynn would require someone who could come off the bench and win for 1-3 games. If ARodg is out more than that, then I think we can agree to throw in the towel; but if not .....
February 25, 2011 at 12:09 am
The Titans are a primarily running team. Their QB doesn't necessarily need a cannon for an arm. Just a guy who can get it done. Flynn is a smart guy who's not gonna make mistakes. He's also mobile.