Matt Flynn's first season as a starting quarterback did not exactly go as planned. His stop in Seattle after being a backup in Green Bay was more of a false start than a first down. Flynn was quickly replaced by rookie Russell Wilson and the team never looked back to give Flynn another opportunity. While the quarterback was not shocked by the move, he is ready to become the starter in Oakland.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Flynn notes that he and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll did not exactly mesh well from the start. While Flynn gives Wilson all the credit for beating him with talent, he also recognizes that he may not have been as high-energy as Carroll wanted from a quarterback.
"I had to find a medium ground last year because I knew that Pete was high energy, all over the place in practice, and I knew he probably wanted that out of his quarterbacks a little bit. But I still didn't want to be someone I wasn't," Flynn said.
Flynn believes he and Wilson were just two different personalities and Carroll liked the rookie better at the time. Now with the Raiders, Flynn is trying to just be himself and win over guys in the huddle by relaxing and staying calm. He is taking advantage of his second chance.
"I've been given a second opportunity to come in and earn a starting job," Flynn said. "It's pretty rare, and I know that. I'm going to do everything in my power to take advantage of this, to have no regrets. Make it happen and not take it for granted."
Wilson has started just two games in his five years in the NFL. Head coach Dennis Allen remains adamant that Flynn is the starting quarterback despite Tyler Wilson, Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin on the roster as well. By money alone, Flynn is the starter with his $6.5 million in guaranteed salary. Getting most of the reps with the first-team, Flynn is not pressured by the competition behind him, simply focused on becoming a leader and making the team his own.
"The way I look at it, leadership and being that guy is, don't be someone you're not. Don't be a hoorah guy jumping around and clapping your hands if you're not that guy. Makes you look desperate. Makes you look silly. That's not me," Flynn said.
