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Aaron Rodgers week 14 concussion awakened something deep within Packer fans, a fear not felt since the onset of the 2008 season. Suddenly from aisle to aisle across Lambeau Field, cheeseheads turned to one another to ask, “What the hell are we going to do at quarterback?” Even most Green Bay diehards know relatively little about the team’s second in command under center, and with Aaron Rodgers consistently staying on the field while putting up All-World passing numbers since his first season as starter, there’s been no need to get acquainted. Now with Rodger’s starting status in serious question for the first time, it seems as good a point as ever to get to know Packers backup QB Matt Flynn.In the mold of Matt Cassell, in terms of experience not necessarily physical attributes, Flynn has spent much of his football playing career as a backup since high school. While attending Louisiana State University, Flynn spent his freshman year redshirted on the sidelines before serving the dubious honor of backing up JaMarcus Russell for the next 3 seasons. Unlike Cassell, however, Flynn was finally given the chance to start in his 5^th and final season of eligibility, a year that ended with Flynn capturing both the 2008 BCS National Championship Trophy and Offensive MVP honors. Not completely smooth sailing for Flynn’s entire time at the helm, LSU did also earn the distinction as the only 2 loss National Champion in the history of the BCS era and first by any measuring stick since the 1960 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Still, Flynn ultimately maintained the poise and moxie necessary to guide the Tigers to the promise land, overcoming setbacks against Kentucky and Arkansas, both of which came in triple overtime contests. Read more…

As we sit mired in a time of preseason hoopla which will largely center around the most prolific man to line up under center in the history of Lambeau Field, the Packers can be grateful they are not once again playing the Brett Favre waiting game. As the cross-division rival Vikings now find themselves on the wrong end of Favre’s yearly “we need to talk” conversation, coach Brad Childress can do little else other than stare at the telephone in hopes it will ring sooner than later and that the happy couple can stay together with no need to see other people. Not to say that Old-man Brett’s performance last year was anything short of remarkable last year, throwing 33 touchdown strikes compared to a career low 7 interceptions (any career mark is notable after nearly two decades in the league), but Favre truly did the Pack a favor by forcing their hand just two seasons ago. While the forecast says it should be cloudy in Minnesota for at least another month or so, Green Bay should enjoy the wind at their back and high visibility going forward as their offense comes together once again in training camp. Read more…