2012 NFL Free Agents: Dolphins Must Bring Matt Flynn to Miami

Fortunately for the Miami Dolphins, their decade-long search for a franchise starting quarterback could well be at its end.

The hiring of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin certainly increases the likelihood that Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn will make the move to Miami.

If the Dolphins are smart, they will bring Philbin's former quarterback to South Beach.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, that move is possible. 

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With Philbin in place, it will not be at all surprising if the Dolphins pursue impending free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, who filled in for Rodgers and threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season finale against Detroit.

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The Dolphins have to do everything in their power to make this happen. This franchise will not ever become a serious threat to the Patriots or even Jets unless their quarterback situation is stabilized. 

Matt Moore is not the long term guy for this team. His 2011 season was decent, but in 13 games, Moore only eclipsed 250 yards passing twice, never hitting 300. His touchdown to interception ratio (16 to 9) was nowhere near good enough for that kind of yardage.

On top of all of that, his win-loss record was only 6-7. If NFL defenses have a full offseason to prepare for a Moore led Dolphins' team, his production would fall off in every way.  

In addition to being a good fit for the Dolphins, it would also be a strong option for Flynn. As Jackson said, there is a possibility that quarterback coach Tom Clements will follow Philbin to Miami. 

A free agent quarterback will never find a better new home than one that has his old offensive coordinator and position coach. Even if Clements doesn't go to Miami, he and Philbin are clearly familiar with each other, as Philbin is the only offensive coordinator that Flynn has ever known in the NFL. 

In Miami, Flynn would also have the benefit of a talented offense. Take a look at the 2011 numbers of some of Miami's top weapons:

	Receptions	Yards	Rec TD
Brandon Marshall	81	1,214	8
Brian Hartline	35	549	1
Davone Bess	51	537	3
Anthony Fasano	32	451	5
Reggie Bush	43	296	1

Bush and Daniel Thomas also combined for 1,667 yards rushing, so the talent would be there around Flynn.

Despite being a 6-10 team meaning they were losing a lot, the Dolphins had the third best running defense in the NFL in 2011. Their pass defense was suspect, but the Dolphins will be picking either eighth or ninth in the draft, so they can improve that rather easily. 

In limited playing time, Flynn has demonstrated a mastery of Philbin's offense. In only two starts, his numbers are staggering. 

Comp. Percentage	Yards	TD	INT
67.9	731	9	2

Both of those opponents (2010 Patriots, 2011 Lions) were playoff teams. Given a full season in that offense with talent around him, Flynn will put up strong numbers. He will give the Dolphins a consistent, four-quarter offense for 16 games, something they need to have. 

If the Dolphins fail to do this, they will be missing the boat on a quarterback that will make the team better. Ever since they lost Dan Marino in 1999, quarterback has been the team's greatest question mark. 

Bringing Flynn into an offense that he knows and has done well in will emphatically take that question mark away. 

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