January 1, 2012

Matt Flynn: "He’ll be a very rich man very soon."

With Aaron Rodgers resting, Matt Flynn passes for 6 touchdowns and 480 yards, setting 2 records for the Green Bay Packers.

Watch his 5th touchdown here.

ADDED: I'm thinking that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever. Can you think of a counter-example?

59 comments:

traditionalguy said...

Thanks Flynn.

DADvocate said...

Wow. Half the teams in the NFL don't have one decent QB. The Packers have two.

Rockeye said...

Seconds after the last whistle blows in the last game the Packers will play this season, Flynn's agent's phone will begin the process of ringing itself to death.

Temujin said...

I hate the Packers. And the Badgers. Always have. Always will.

Signed- Beat up Football Fan from Michigan.

mccullough said...

Perhaps Aaron Rodgers isn't so great after all. Maybe the rest of the Packers offense is just that good.

rhhardin said...

You really need only one good player and a multi-track tape recorder

Michael Haz said...

Matt Flynn is the only quarterback not named Favre or Rodgers to start a game for Green Bay in the last twenty years.

Let that settle in for a moment.

Flynn will be a starting QB for an NFL team next year, unless Rodgers suffers a catastrophic injury in this season's remaining games.

I think Ted Thompson is owed an apology from fans who were angered by how he handled Favre's departure from Green Bay, or thought Favre should be kept on a few seasons longer than he was.

Thompson has built a team so rich in talent that its JV quarterback beat another team's varsity today.

Ann Althouse said...

"Matt Flynn is the only quarterback not named Favre or Rodgers to start a game for Green Bay in the last twenty years."

Amazing. And it makes it all the more amazing that Flynn could come in and hit the ground running (passing?) the way he did today.

"Thompson has built a team so rich in talent that its JV quarterback beat another team's varsity today."

And Stafford was at his best, with huge stakes for that team.

BTW, I can't stand the Lions. Ever since Suh stomped on Dietrich-Smith's head.

garage mahal said...

#12 called all the plays in the first half. How cool is that? What a great day to be a Packer.

Rockeye said...

BTW, not only have the Packers only started three quarterbacks in in the last twenty years, none of them have lost a game in Green Bay to the Lions. Twenty years of futility-1992 the Lions last Lambeau win. That is most impressive.

Michael Haz said...

The Lions have not played in a play-off game in this century.

Their last playoff game was in 1999. And they lost.

DannyNoonan said...

Great game. Flynn looked like a superstar. In the early days of Favre, the Packers were a quarterback factory. A bunch of Favre's back-ups went on to start for other NFL teams--Detmer, Brunell, Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks. It looks like being a Rodgers back-up will do the trick too.

kjbe said...

Way to go, Matty...and good luck down the road.

Joe Schmoe said...

Timing is everything. He will get a good payday for this, and then likely go on to be a mediocre quarterback for a mediocre team.

Just think if the Packers were 15-0; Flynn might never have gotten on the field today.

Jordy Nelson makes one momentarily forget Greg Jennings. Not sure of Jordy's contract status, but he didn't hurt himself today either.

Sorun said...

I have Jordy Nelson on my fantasy team. It was a good day.

Ann Althouse said...

Let me posit that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever.

Can you think of a counter-example?

Toad Trend said...

Terrific performance!!! A real tribute to the Packers team as a whole.

Agree that Flynn stands to cash in big time on this game.

Ambrose said...

Lou Gehrig replacing the unwell Wally Pipp; Leonard Bernstein getting a chance to conduct the NY Philharmonic when somone was ill; George Washington taking battle command in the French and Indian War after his Brit superior officer was injured.

Nathan said...

With Drew Brees obliterating Marino's season passing yards record, Flynn may have cost Aaron Rodgers the MVP Award. It's definitely harder after today to argue that Rodgers is the most valuable player.

Bob Ellison said...

"translate into more dollars"...that wants explication. What about Michael Phelps in the 2008 Olympics? Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters?

I'm asking partly about differential dollars. Dunno how much Flynn makes now. He'll certainly be worth more. But how much of a percentage increase, or for that matter in nominal dollars, did the performances of Phelps, Woods, and the like make possible?

We need an economist who's also a bookkeeper and marketing specialist to figure this one out.

Curious George said...

Man, Flynn made it look like he was playing the Packer's defense!

Humperdink said...

Boy .... a slobberfest in Green Bay today. The greatest backup quarterback ever! Really? After one game?

Maybe you folks need to look up flash-in-the-pan in the dictionary.

Alex said...

Typical fanboy-ish overreaction to a 1-off performance. I guarantee you Flynn is no superstar. Let him start 16 games for a bottom-feeder and get back to me if he can do better then a 80 QB rating.

--G. said...

>>Ann Althouse said...

Let me posit that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever.

Can you think of a counter-example?<<

Yes. Alan Ameche and/or Johnny Unitas. The 1958 New York Giants--Baltimore Colts game. Considered by many the Greatest NFL Game Ever Played. Alan and Johnny didn't reap all of the profits generated by this game, but it's meant a lot of money to a lot of people. Certainly the reason why we watched Green Bay play Detroit on TV today.

David said...

"I think Ted Thompson is owed an apology from fans who were angered by how he handled Favre's departure from Green Bay, or thought Favre should be kept on a few seasons longer than he was."

Perhaps, Haz, but that was a minority opinion. Most recognized it was time for Brett to go.

Wince said...

Althouse: "I'm thinking that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever. Can you think of a counter-example?"

How about the game of... love and the law?

It's not just Frank and Jamie McCourt who are taking a public-relations hit in the couple's divorce trial currently underway in LA. The Boston law firm Bingham McCutchen isn't faring much better. The high-powered firm is suddenly at the center of the drama because of work done by its lawyers. At issue is the wording of a document signed by both McCourts six years ago. According to media reports, three copies of the marital property agreement use the word "inclusive," which would make Frank McCourt the sole owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and three copies say "exclusive," which would make Jamie McCourt the co-owner of the venerable Major League Baseball franchise. (Frank and Jamie McCourt have said they were unaware of the discrepancy until last year.) Bingham McCutchen lawyer Larry Silverstein prepared the document, and some legal experts believe the firm could face a substantial liability claim from either McCourt. "(Silverstein's) competence is being challenged here," Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson told the LA Times. "If he's shown to be incompetent at the trial, the next action could be malpractice." Legal experts say the losing McCourt could sue Bingham McCutchen for as much as $100 million.

long time listener said...

>>Ann Althouse said...

Let me posit that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever.

Can you think of a counter-example?<<

I'd say Larry Brown in Super Bowl XXX. He was a good player who had a great game, and got a lucrative contract from the Raiders in the off-season.

Joe Schmoe said...

Ann, you pose a good challenge. It's hard for me to think of one GAME resulting in a huge payday. Scott Mitchell parlayed a few really good games for the Dolphins into a big contract with the Lions, in the early 90's, I believe. He then went on to suck in Detroit.

Humperdink said...

Remember Matt Cassel? Subbed for future HOF Tom Brady for a full season ... had a good year. Greatest backup ever. Then signed a 6 year $62 million contract with the Chiefs. Led them right to super bowl. Well maybe not.

Richard Lawrence Cohen said...

Vince Young's Rose Bowl performance for U Texas in 2006 was pretty good: 467 total yards (267 passing, 200 rushing, with 3 rushing TDs, including a 9-yard game-winning scramble with 19 seconds left) -- a Rose Bowl total yardage record -- his 2nd Rose Bowl MVP performance. In the postseason draft he was 3rd pick overall and signed for $25.7 million guaranteed money, with possible bonuses up to $58 million over five years. Of course he hadn't played any NFL games at that point.

Browndog said...

With Drew Brees obliterating Marino's season passing yards record, Flynn may have cost Aaron Rodgers the MVP Award. It's definitely harder after today to argue that Rodgers is the most valuable player.

Agreed.

The nod goes to Brady.

(Payton Manning, if you wanna go abstract)

Joe Schmoe said...

All right. I'm stretching my brain out a bit. Here's one: Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson. Douglas was a huge underdog in that fight; most were predicting a quick Tyson knockout.

That one fight led to Douglas' next fight with Evander Holyfield. Douglas' purse: $26 million.

Crimso said...

Bruce Jenner? In adjusted dollars of course. How much did he make in endorsements over these years?

Does chess count?

I'm guessing that throwing a perfect game in MLB (a vanishingly rare feat) might cause a pitcher's value to rise immensely.

Browndog said...

Any one boxing match blows Althouse's theory out of the water...just saying-

Browndog said...

Joe Schmoe said...

heh-

You snuck in there while I was typing.

Nice work

Ambrose said...

How about Victor Cruz.

Joe Schmoe said...

Victor Cruz has rocked all year.

Michael Haz said...

"Let me posit that Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever.

Can you think of a counter-example?"

In the third game of the 1992 season,Packer QB Don Majkowski injured a ligament in his ankle against the Cincinnati Bengals, an injury severe enough that he would be out for four weeks.

Second-string QB Brett Favre replaced Majkowski for the remainder of the contest.

The next week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers began the longest consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history.

While Favre's total earnings as a Packer QB are not accurately known, it is safe to speculate that no NFL player was paid more than Favre.

Joe Schmoe said...

1980 US Hockey team beating the Soviets. Most of those guys didn't do anything in the NHL, but I bet they all made good coin from appearance fees. Probably still do. Add into that all the free drinks and meals over the years.

Browndog said...


While Favre's total earnings as a Packer QB are not accurately known, it is safe to speculate that no NFL player was paid more than Favre.


Very, VERY interesting...

Most interesting..

Hmm...

The logic is there...interesting to see the actual numbers

Humperdink said...

Growing up, the greatest backup QB at the time was a fellow named Zeke Bratkowski. Could start for any other NFL team. Played for the ... aah .... Packers. Behind a guy named Starr. Finished his career with the Rams and finally da Bears.

Career stats: 65 TD's and 122 INT's

Ann Althouse said...

I'm talking about the effect of one game. He does this, then is a free agent. Great bargaining positioning

I'm Full of Soup said...

Rodgers is only 28! That was a surprise to me.

I'm Full of Soup said...

I think there have been a few heavyweight boxing shocking upsets that earned the underdog some huge future paydays. Ken Norton beating Ali. Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson.

On the flip side, Tim Somebody ran for like 150 Super Bowl yards [for Skins], was the Super Bowl MVP and then faded away in a couple seasons.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Joe Schmoe beat me to the Buster Douglas analogy.

Btw Althouse - are you really writing this sports post? Or is Meade helping? It's very not like you.

Browndog said...

He was playing (with) against the Detroit lie-ons.

context

Hey, how does Cheese Nation feel about Detroit's most celebrated player...the savior...mocking 'Discount Double-Check'?

Ask me, the Lions think they're the Raiders, but they're just a bunch of assholes....in my opinion.

Ann Althouse said...

I'm writing these posts myself. Meade did not ghostwrite.

Steven said...

<< Hey, how does Cheese Nation feel about Detroit's most celebrated player...the savior...mocking 'Discount Double-Check'? >>

Kind of a bold move for someone playing on a defense that was holding the second string to 45 points, wasn't it?

Keystone said...

Flynn was the QB for LSU winning an SEC championship and a national championship. He's also a good athlete.

Chip S. said...

Can you think of a counter-example?

Jack Morris did pretty well for himself on the basis of his performance in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. He signed the next season with Toronto and became baseball's highest-paid pitcher. He may even get into the baseball HoF largely b/c of it.

His career stats aren't all that great; his legend is basically built on that one game.

cassandra lite said...

Does anyone know how much money Brandi Chastain made after the last shootout kick (and removing her top) in the '99 Women's World Cup? I'll bet it was millions and millions in endorsement money.

FleetUSA said...

One game translating into mega-millions?

JaMarcus Russell's performance in the 2007 Sugar Bowl (LSU vs. Notre Dame) catapulted him into the #1 draft spot and a contract worth $61 million ($32 million guaranteed).

Because he wasn't very bright or diligent he was a failure for the Raiders.

Geaux Tigers

X said...

RG3's performance against Texas propelled him from between third to fifth in the Heisman hunt to winning it and possibly going 2nd in the draft. It will be a bigger payday than Flynn gets. And then there's boxing.

DaveW said...

I didn't see the game but judging a QB on one game is very dicey territory. A lot of QBs look good for a game or 2.

And that particular clip is not a good example of great QB play. It was just an over the middle completion of what maybe 10-15 yards that the receiver then turned into a touchdown.

Football is a team game like no other. It takes so many pieces, all working perfectly or at least very well, to get an organization into winning form.

test said...

Rob Johnson turned a near perfect substition for Mark Brunnell (Jaguars against Ravens) into a trade to Buffalo for two first round picks. Johnsson signed a $25 million contract after the trade.

madeleine said...

Joe Montana as a sophomore at Notre Dame. He was put into the game against North Carolina with 5 or so minutes left and came up with a Tebow-style comeback for the win. Then did it again the next week vs. Air Force. (I was at that game--one of the first I can remember.)

Patrick said...

ChipS: but that one game was a doozy!

Scott M said...

Can you think of a counter-example?

What's the largest payout to a "victim" of a sports-related sexual incident? Couldn't that be construed as a single-game performance? How much did Kobe's little minx get?

The TrogloPundit said...

"Flynn's performance in that one game will translate into more dollars than any other single-game performance, in any sport, ever.

Can you think of a counter-example?"


Maybe when Usain Bolt broke the 100-meter record in the Olympics? Companies like Nike will pay a lot to have an athlete wear their gear. No idea how much it might have been, though. And I suppose we never really saw Bolt in commercials, did we?