2012 NFL Free Agents: Players That Will Flourish with Change of Scenery

A change of scenery, system and opportunity is going to be enough to propel a few players to greater heights in the 2012 NFL season. 

The following players are all free agents, and all almost definitely going to be headed to new teams for new opportunities. 

These are all talented guys that have shown flashes of promise. Next year, they will be given the opportunity to sustain that promise. 

Here are three players ready to shine in a new location. 

Matt Flynn, QB

Flynn is the latest Packers backup QB that will turn into an excellent starter. Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck and Aaron Rodgers have all gone this route.

And it appears that 26-year-old Flynn is ready to do the same. 

In the last two seasons, Flynn has attempted 115 passes. He has completed 77 of those passes for nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. 

Those are eye-popping stats for an inexperienced QB that has gotten precious few reps with the first team. 

Flynn doesn't have a cannon for an arm, but he is extremely accurate. He would be a great fit for a West Coast-style offense. 

This is a QB that will be able to step in and succeed right away. 

Michael Bush, RB

Bush has spent his career playing second fiddle to Darren McFadden in Oakland. During that time he has always been a productive and steady back.

Bush received plenty of playing time last season as McFadden recovered from injury. He ended with 977 yards, gained at 3.8 yards per carry. 

His average suffered due to his extensive use in short yardage situations, teams gearing up to stop the run, and the wear and tear of being the only legitimate RB option for the majority of the season. His ability as a RB should not be questioned, though. 

Bush is almost always going to get positive yards and he rarely fumbles. In 256 carries last season, he had just one fumble. 

He is also a very good receiver out of the backfield. He will be an excellent and productive addition to any team's running game. 

Dan Connor, LB 

Connor hasn't been able to secure a starting spot in Carolina in his four seasons, but he has shown that he has what it takes to be a starting LB in the NFL. 

The 26-year-old Connor has a nose for the ball. He has good lateral movement and is a solid tackler. 

This is the kind of player you plug into a starting lineup, and watch them appear near the top of the tackling list game after game. 

He managed to wrack up 75 tackles last season despite sporadic playing time. He will get plenty of offers from teams with a need in the middle of their linebacking corp. He is well suited to play in a 3-4 or 4-3, and he will produce in a big way in either situation.