New England Patriots questionably cut Matt Flynn, sign Ryan Lindley
Happy Monday, everyone. The New England have made a change in the quarterback depth chart, releasing veteran Matt Flynn and filling the open roster spot with a different quarterback, Ryan Lindley.
The Patriots have cut QB Matt Flynn per source.
— Dianna Russini 🏈 (@diannaESPN) August 10, 2015
Source: the Patriots are signing QB Ryan Lindley.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 10, 2015
This news pretty much seals the deal for Jimmy Garoppolo. If Tom Brady is still suspended for Week 1, Garoppolo will definitely start. The last thing the Patriots are going to do is chuck Lindley into the starting role just four weeks after signing him, as he will need plenty of time and practice to get accustomed to the offense.
Thinking along those lines, it is a bit surprising that the Pats let Flynn walk. In the event that Garoppolo gets injured and Brady is suspended, it would have been better to have a veteran like Flynn around to take the reins instead of a guy like Lindley, but I’m sure the Patriots had their reasons.
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In three seasons spent in the Arizona desert, Lindley completed just over 50 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,314 yards, two touchdowns, and (cringing) 11 interceptions. Lindley started for the Cardinals in their playoff loss this January, and his two interceptions were a main reason for the undesired outcome.
You don’t have to do much reading between the lines here; I’m not very keen on Lindley. I think the Patriots would have been better off with Flynn in a depth role, as he is trusty veteran who has plenty of starting experience under his belt. So does Lindley, but he’s also a turnover machine.
Maybe a move to the east coast will do Lindley good, who knows. But my immediate reaction upon hearing this news was puzzlement, as Flynn is definitely a more desirable third-stringer than the former Cardinal.