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Post by dsqa on Jan 8, 2008 18:59:00 GMT -6
I am not sure this is allowed, it isn't Xs and Os, but I wanted to share this, because I felt it relevant to say something in light of all that has been said here about him...then I will make my observation on Xs and Os! I was sitting at home last evening, and watching Matt Flynn, a young man I have coached in the offseason for the past 2+ years, deliver an MVP performance on a National stage. I still have never understood the mentality so many seem to have in overlooking Matt throughout the season. He regularly engineered comebacks that had he not done so, last night would not have been possible. No doubt he has had his moments this year, where I said, HUH? but, a man is not known by how he starts, rather by how he finishes. One of the privileges of my unique job is that I don't just train young QBs. I become a part of the process, and in some cases, a part of the family. Alvin and Ruth Flynn, Matt's parents, have been so willing to include me in Matt's development and life. They are some of the most wonderful parents I have ever been associated with in my 21 years of coaching QBs. I have been able to witness the life of a big-time SEC QB, with all of its ups and downs, and I can tell you it is no picnic. I remember the days of waiting for Jamarcus to decide if he was leaving, working Matt through a mechanics change that removed the shoulder problems he had each fall, enjoying Matt's stellar performance in the 2005 Peach Bowl over Miami, FL 40-3, watching him weather an early 2007 season severe ankle sprain, and him having to deal with those who thought he shouldn't be given the full opportunity at LSU that he rightly deserved. I have to say that this experience has certainly made me appreciate the measure of anonymity I enjoy in my life. What a pressure cooker Matt has been in this season, and what a demonstration of character in the BCS National Championship! Coming off a shoulder separation in the Arkansas game(1st quarter) where he had to bring the offense to the rescue to keep the overtime alive. Having to take the entire bowl prep time to heal, and upon doing so, he calmly overcomes an early OSU surge of momentum and 10 points, dropping 31 unanswered points on the nation's #1 defense. He would end the night with 4 TD passes, the MVP honors, the appreciation of the LSU faithful, and the respect of this coach. I am proud of Matt Flynn, not because I have been able to train him, but because I have had the privilege to know him. That is an honor few will have as his stock continues to rise, and I count myself blessed because of it. Thank you Alvin, Ruth, and Matt, it has been an honor. Okay, so how about that post throw he made in the face of the zone blitz in the second quarter! The OSU defense seemed committed to rolling in and out of zone packages all night with a zone blitz that seemed to be neutralized by the quick passing game of LSU. Hats off to Crowton for not forcing the ball down the field in the face of the consistently dropping OSU secondary, and moving the chains! The Jacob Hester 3rd and 1 conversion factor was the key to the LSU offense staying on the field. OSU just did not penetrate in those situations.
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Post by airraider on Jan 8, 2008 19:20:53 GMT -6
Coach, I am by far not an LSU fan.. the only satisfaction I took in the game last night was knowing that Flynn was a guy who has trained under you and that he was very successful..
Now I just wish you could get a hand on some of these NFL guys who need some serious work..
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Post by dsqa on Jan 8, 2008 19:32:02 GMT -6
Actually, it is kind of funny, an associate of mine shared with me that Matt's parents are holding the line on me working with Matt in prep for the league, and the agents are scratching their heads wondering who I am - they've got the agents spinning tales of all kinds of stuff with me included, to win Matt over. Who knows...maybe they will actually do it. I still think OSU did not belong in that game last night. LSU may have been bloodied, but they played a ton of ranked teams. OSU played a much lighter schedule. What a weird year! I am praying to the BCS gods for a playoff!
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Post by burtledog on Jan 8, 2008 19:41:05 GMT -6
They didn't belong there. If not for a dropped TD pass and bloked field goal they probably go into half time leading 17-10. If not for stupid non-characteristic penalties I don't think Flynn would have had the chance he used last night. OSU believed they didn't belong there and played well but without confidence.
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Post by dubber on Jan 8, 2008 20:32:46 GMT -6
They didn't belong there. If not for a dropped TD pass and bloked field goal they probably go into half time leading 17-10. If not for stupid non-characteristic penalties I don't think Flynn would have had the chance he used last night. OSU believed they didn't belong there and played well but without confidence. not related to this topic
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Post by pantherpride91 on Jan 9, 2008 7:45:46 GMT -6
I am as big of an OSU fan as you can get, but I will admit that Matt Flynn showed the calm and maturity that has warrented him to be the MVP. The throw that most impressed me was on I believe the second touchdown where he rolled out to his left and threw a perfect corner route. I do not know anywhere near the extent of the injuries he had this year, but this game showed a healthy flynn is a heck of a leader.
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Post by brophy on Jan 9, 2008 7:56:34 GMT -6
From where I sit, Matt Flynn, even though being a highly-sought after recruit, is seen by many as extremely unspectacular as a quarterback. Maybe in this day and age, seeing a guy remain patient, disciplined, and humble in his craft is refreshing.....maybe it is because I took one too many existential philosophy courses in college....but Matt Flynn kinda sorta represents the "anti-hero" ala Tom Brady of a guy that just out-works everyone both mentally and physically...who isn't head-and-shoulders better than everyone on the field (which is what we are all used to seeing) but a guy who just has put himself in positions to be successful through honest efforts. I will agree with airraider in the fact that knowing Matt was honest enough with himself to take the time to improve himself with Coach Slack is enough to get behind the guy. Same with Tim Couch. Many LSU fans were frustrated with Flynn (myself included) because of all the squeakers when it seemed like every time Perriloux took a snap he was converting, and we wondered why Flynn wasn't getting it done (various reasons, most not even related to Matt). Frustrated 'fan' talk there. Out of the entire season, though, Flynn never threw as crisp and as sharp as he did in the championship game. I still think OSU did not belong in that game last night. LSU may have been bloodied, but they played a ton of ranked teams. amen, brother, amen..... this may not be PC, but my god, there IS a difference between the SEC and Big10, and I don't mean that as a 'fan of the SEC'.....I say that as a lifelong [bored] viewer of the Big10.
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Post by dsqa on Jan 9, 2008 8:34:17 GMT -6
Just as a follow up. OSU will belong in those games in the next few years mind you. They are young. I know the program a bit, because a staffer of mine bleeds Buckeye. He was more surprised than anyone they were there at this stage in their growth.
The thing that makes them good is their ability to diminish the big play. Their zone blitz package was very effective at taking away the back breaking big play. What they could not do was stop the run on 3rd down, which surprised me. The zone blitz package is devastating to QBs who do not understand that it is essentially "false pressure." The blockers are there to pick it up, but the QB has to have the discipline to stand in there and not react to the frantic nature of the attack.
It is actually quite brilliant. You are still only sending 4 or 5, but the line, back, and QB have to have the resolve and flexibility to pick it up and not "pucker" up. When the passing schemes have multiple significant vertical stems(like many do in the Big 10), the availability of receivers is diminished, and this can psychologically impact the QBs sense that he has options.
It becomes important to build into the package, routes designed to address the zone blitzing backers, but are away from the pressure so that the dropping defender doesn't steal the hot route throw. Most QBs are taught to throw into pressure, but the zone blitz is designed to get QBs to throw the pressure and into the waiting arms of the defender who replaced the blitzer. Nasty stuff. The short passing game Matt was able to consistently hit, made it possible to keep drives alive. No defense, like no offense, can be expected to stop everything, you just hope you disrupt things enough to force the QB into a mistake, and the only one LSU made, was when the receiver turned inside in the 3rd qtr, instead of outside and Matt ended up with a pick.
Brophy, you are right it wasn't flashy, but it was effective. That is Tom Brady all the way.
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Post by brophy on Jan 9, 2008 8:55:04 GMT -6
you just hope you disrupt things enough to force the QB into a mistake, and the only one LSU made, was when the receiver turned inside in the 3rd qtr, instead of outside and Matt ended up with a pick. and does this (play) not illustrate how QBs are the 'administrator' of the football? [THE BURDEN OF LEADERSHIP = RESPONSIBILITY] I am assuming Flynn read the 3 deep shell with a removed corner and was going to deliver the football to a spot clear of the bad guys (ball should go to the outside shoulder to lead the receiver to the free access point), unfortunately, coverage rolled to 'cloud' to rob that deep flat.....the receiver adjusted by running a flag/cross (away from defenders/ into coverage void) and was looking for the ball inside.....in those 1.8 seconds from the snap Matt had to be able to make an explosive decision (when to fire the gun) in front of millions watching based off the information he had been presented with. I guess what I'm saying is....this is 'bad' play makes you appreciate the quarterback position even more (and what Flynn did to execute throughout the game)
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Post by dsqa on Jan 9, 2008 12:02:22 GMT -6
This is why it is so doggone important to continue to simplify the QBs reads and progressions - that is why we are working so hard on this new project called R4. You've seen the C4, but R4 is going to help with this...it should be fun!
Quite frankly, there are QBs who read what is going on, and can actually make decisions, then there are those who have cannons who delete the competition through velocity of flight and location. You just put the ball to a spot hard enough and fast enough, your decision looks good as the player is able to get it. Ala, the athlete at QB. I am not suggesting that isn't great, but it isn't practical to the game, it will catch up with you.
As the game gets faster, the QB training has to meet the need.
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Post by airraider on Jan 9, 2008 12:32:36 GMT -6
This is why it is so doggone important to continue to simplify the QBs reads and progressions - that is why we are working so hard on this new project called R4. You've seen the C4, but R4 is going to help with this...it should be fun! Quite frankly, there are QBs who read what is going on, and can actually make decisions, then there are those who have cannons who delete the competition through velocity of flight and location. You just put the ball to a spot hard enough and fast enough, your decision looks good as the player is able to get it. Ala, the athlete at QB. I am not suggesting that isn't great, but it isn't practical to the game, it will catch up with you. As the game gets faster, the QB training has to meet the need. Coach, you will be traveling around again this year correct? I plan on bringing some guys.. maybe from a couple of schools to a camp again..
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Post by burtledog on Jan 9, 2008 17:55:10 GMT -6
I do believe that Flynn did have a great game and deserves accolades. He does show every sign of being a young man of strong character and I do hope he has some success in the NFL. Still heart sick over OSU. Sorry to change the thread on you Coach Slack. You have every right to feel the afterglow of seeing your labors realized and seeing a young man you care for do well. Greg
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Post by Yash on Jan 9, 2008 21:35:56 GMT -6
NOt to change the subject but did you guys see the JaMarcus Russell and Troy Smith interview during that game? Did anyone else think that Russell looked like shaq next to smith. Wow that guy is absoultely huge.
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Post by theprez98 on Jan 9, 2008 22:40:20 GMT -6
then there are those who have cannons who delete the competition through velocity of flight and location. You just put the ball to a spot hard enough and fast enough, your decision looks good as the player is able to get it. An efficient description of how Anthony Morelli was a 5 star recruit in HS, but failed miserably to meet expectations.
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Post by brophy on Feb 18, 2008 16:05:25 GMT -6
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