Why Matt Flynn To Miami Makes The Most Sense

Author:  Bruce Lamb

As the Miami Dolphins and Joe Philbin move forward molding this team into a winner next season, the biggest concern for all sides is getting a franchise quarterback.  This league is driven by great quaterback play, the teams that have it win, those that don't lose.  The Miami Dolphins are a perfect example of this.  When Dan Marino played, they won, since he has left, they haven't.  Sure, they have made the playoffs a couple times over the past decade, but this team is far removed from the Marino days, and the failure to land a franchise quarterback will be the blame until they finally get one.

If you take a look at the past 10 super bowl winning teams, this is what you get.  Tom Brady 3 times, Big Ben twice, Eli, Peyton, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Brad Johnson.  See anything that sticks out?  Ok Ok, yes, Brad Johnson sticks out, but the defense that Tampa Bay team had in 2002-2003 would have beaten anyone.  The remaining 9 super bowls went to teams that had an elite quarterback, and once again this season, Tom Brady or Eli Manning will add another one to their resume.  This is how you win in today's NFL.  Solid defense and an offense that does the whole 3 yards and a cloud of dust routine doesn't work anymore.  You need a good quarterback to have a chance. 

If Miami, and Joe Philbin have any hopes of winning anytime soon, the search for a franchise quarterback needs to end soon, if not this offseason.  The defense in Miami is good, good enough to win, and a majority of the players on that defense are about to enter their prime.  This unit could get even better than it has played the past 2 season under Mike Nolan.  That isn't the problem with this team, that lies on the other side of the ball.  This team needs a killer QB, one that gets the job done when the game is on the line, one that finds a way to win.

When the coaching search for Miami begun, many had their sights set on Jeff Fisher, he was a proven quality head coach, had the big name, and would have brought instant credibility to the Miami Dolphins.....and I'm glad he chose the Rams.  I had Joe Philbin #1 on my wishlist since the search began.  Despite being knocked for not calling the plays for the Packers, not having any prior NFL head coaching experience, and being a bit older than most of the hot coordinators, I wanted him to go to Miami.  The main driving force behind my wishful thinking was the possibility he could bring Matt Flynn with him.

Now, don't get me wrong, I in no way think Matt Flynn is going to be the next greatest quarterback to join the likes of the Mannings, Brady, Brees, or Rodgers, that is not what I'm saying.  Is he a proven quarterback in this league?  No, he's not.  But in a league where the head coach is joined at the hip with the quarterback he chooses, I like my chances better if I have someone who's running a new offense I'm about to install that has been learning it over the past 4 seasons.  He would have a 4 season head start over anyone they could draft, and he wouldn't have to learn a new offense like Peyton Manning would.  Flynn makes the most sense simply because he already knows the offense.  With that in place, the learning curve of the rest of the offense becomes greatly shortened.  No one has any idea if he is the guy the team can count on late in the game or not, but he has won in the past. 

I look for Miami to make a run at him before anyone else.  It just makes the most sense.  He's only 26, he's been in Philbin's system for 4 years, he's played great in his two NFL starts, and he's a winner.  In a league where the coach is married to the quarterback, doesn't it make sense for the new coach to choose a quarterback he's been dating for the last 4 years? 

Phins Up!

BEL