Scottemojo wrote:DavidSeven wrote:Am I crazy to think Flynn has more upside than Alex Smith? Obviously, Smith has proven he can thrive in a perfect situation, but what are his game-manaing ways going to do for teams like Kansas City or Jacksonville?
No, not crazy. Alex has always been a terrible red zone QB.
In the three games where Flynn played significant snaps prior to signing with Seattle, he was... not great. Then again, there's not a lot of evidence, really.
Against the Lions in 2010 when he took over for Rodgers mid-game, he had only one trip to the red zone:
2 plays, 2 attempts, 0 completions, 1 INT
Against the Patriots in 2010, when he was the starter, he had 5 trips into the red zone:
18 plays, 5 runs, 2 sacks (one where he fumbled the ball away to end the game), 11 attempts, 5 completions, 2 TDs
Against the Lions in 2011, when he was the starter, he had 3 trips into the end zone:
10 plays, 2 runs, 8 attempts, 5 completions, 2 TDs
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While there is clear evidence that Flynn's play in the red zone improved with each opportunity to start, I wouldn't yet call red zone play a "strength." I'd still consider it an unknown. What is clear is that at least in the famous 480/6 game, Flynn benefited a lot from the big play. For a team to score 45 points offensively and yet only reach the red zone 3 times in a game is pretty incredible.
I don't have the time to track each of Smith's plays in the red zone right now. Maybe I'll investigate that this evening.