Matt Flynn Focused On Patriots Playbook, Not Depth Chart
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots began their mandatory three-day mini camp Tuesday morning at Foxboro, marking the first time Matt Flynn has suited up with his new team.
The third-string quarterback, who officially signed with the Pats last week, had a busy weekend learning the playbook, a process that will likely take all the way up to training camp in late-July.
But even with Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him on the depth chart, making it unlikely he'll see any game action when they start to count, Flynn called signing with the Patriots a "no brainer."
"I'm very excited. When I got the call from my agent I was excited I was going to get another opportunity especially here with the great tradition they have," Flynn told reporters. "When I got the call here, I knew it was someplace I didn't need to think about. It was a place I was excited to go to and I knew it was a place that was a good fit for me, the way I play."
Flynn was on hand Friday when the Patriots closed out voluntary OTAs, and got a glimpse of what was in store for this week's mini camp. He called Friday his initiation, because he didn't understand anything anyone was saying on the field.
He's confident that will all change very soon.
"I have a lot of catching up to do, playbook-wise. I have to take the month we have off to not only memorize plays and formations, but learn them. There's a big difference between those two," he said. "The worst thing I can do coming back for training camp is getting to the line of scrimmage and I'm worrying about where the offensive guys are and not the defense."
Flynn had a fumble on Tuesday, and had to run a lap around the practice field. Brady and Garoppolo got most of the snaps in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, giving Flynn a firsthand look at the playbook.
Brady finished 24 of 33 in 11s and 5 of 6 in 7s. Garoppolo was 26 of 32 and 5 of 6 with one INT. Flynn was 5 of 9 in lone 11s period.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 16, 2015
And that playbook is Flynn's one and only concern at the moment. He isn't even thinking about New England's crowded QB depth chart, or the fact Garoppolo will likely start ahead of him if Tom Brady's DeflateGate suspension isn't squashed.
"I don't look at it as anything. I see it as I have a big task ahead of me and that's learn the playbook," said Flynn. "Then we'll go from there."
A seven-year veteran, Flynn spent most of his career backing up two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers. It's a role he's familiar with, and doesn't mind filling here in New England.
"I backed up the same QB for 5 ½ years; I know that role well and I've been around the league. I've seen a lot of defenses," he said.
Though he's only started seven games in his career, his very first came back in 2010 at Gillette Stadium. Flynn took over for a concussed Rodgers on Sunday Night Football, and nearly led the Packers to a dramatic comeback on the road, throwing for 251 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
That night was his father and then-girlfriend's (now wife) birthday, and his near-win in Foxboro is a game he remembers fondly.
"I have always been a confident guy, but to go out and show it on the big stage, it was fun," he recalled.
Now he's hoping to have some of that same magic he experienced that night, just for the other side. And if he is relegated to the bench, behind both Brady and Garoppolo, he'd be OK with that too.