In the summer of 2008 I made a prediction that at the time seemed unthinkable. As we enter the 2012 free agency period I feel confident that my call will come to fruition as a fantasy star takes over the reigns of a new team.

I watched the live Peyton Manning news conference today that officially marks his foray into free agency. And as amazing and shocking as it will be to see Manning don a new uniform next year, I couldn't help feeling more excited about the prospects of where Matt Flynn will land, because four years ago, at the very beginning of his first NFL training camp, I compared him to another future first-ballot hall of fame quarterback.

That summer I was asked to write a sample article for a website and I used the opportunity to make a bold statement about Flynn. Until now, approximately five people have ever read that piece. Here it is in its entirety—exactly as I submitted it then—for you to comment on. When I wrote it at the time I genuinely believed every word of it, and looking back on it with what I now know about Flynn, I believe it with even more conviction today.

Assuming all goes according to the Packers' plans, Green Bay rookie quarterback Matt Flynn will spend his entire rookie year flying under the radar. Flynn, a seventh-round pick at #209 in this spring's draft, has made a career of being overlooked. But his 2007 National Championship ring from LSU may be the best sign that the new kid is a gritty leader and talented enough to make a name for himself.

Not wholly unlike a former Green Bay QB from the south, Flynn has found success while proving doubters wrong. Brett Favre, if he weren't busy setting tee times, would probably be laughing quietly to himself watching Matt Flynn try to make the Packers' 53-man roster this summer. He may even feel like he's looking into the past.

Flynn, at 6-foot-2, 228-pounds, is a quarterback built, like Favre, in almost more of a linebacker's mold and mentality. Though unlike Favre, his learning curve is not up to the speed of a starting NFL signal-caller. Although he has the legitimate physical tools to succeed, Flynn must first absorb the nuances of the West-Coast offense, a style of play he did not experience at LSU.

The key for Flynn is not to get ahead of himself, not to take on too much. As Packers head coach Mike McCarthy would be the first to tell it, Flynn is progressing. But he's light years from Hall of Fame status or from locker-shrine status: "I think Matt has really done a very good job here the last two weeks, and he's starting to play with some rhythm... I think Matt's really made a step. With that, we have a ton of work left." While a far cry from the NFL's only three-time MVP, it's still a step ahead of #4 at the start of his pro career, when then Atlanta Falcons coach Jerry Glanville declared that it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre in the game.

If you look closely, it's not difficult to see similarities between the legend and the afterthought. Aside from the southern ties, both quarterbacks have made their names by displaying their toughness and showing their nerve in the face of adversity. Favre set the standard for resilience when he led his Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to a 27-24 upset over Alabama five weeks after a surgery to remove thirty inches of his intestines, a result of a near-fatal car crash shortly before his senior season. Matt Flynn likewise evinced his determination to play, and win, without any regard for his own health or pain. Despite playing in one of the most competitive high school leagues in Texas, Flynn led his Robert E. Lee High School team to a semi-final appearance while hobbling on a broken foot for four games.

Flynn then braved the always-staunch SEC, where he sat behind the likes of 2007 #1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell until his 5th year. Throughout this stretch, Flynn never flinched, demonstrating his talent on the first completion of his career, a 67-yard TD bomb. Then in his only start as a sophomore he led the Tigers to a 40-3 romp of Miami in the '05 Peach Bowl while filling in for an injured Russell. After taking over the starting role in his final season, Flynn led two major 4th-quarter comebacks, including a last second, 22-yard game-winning touchdown pass against Auburn. And yet, these highlights were merely a precursor to both being named offensive MVP of the Tigers' National Championship victory over Ohio State, and sneaking his way into a draft for which he had no previous right to be in consideration.

Now in Packers mini-camp, Flynn fights with inherited starter Aaron Rodgers and 2nd-round, insurance-pick draftee Brian Brohm for position on the QB depth chart. In perfect Favre fashion, Flynn's first throw in a recent mini-camp two-minute drill was a nothing he turned into something. After catching his own deflected pass, Flynn scrambled nine yards for a near first down. Had Favre been there, you can bet he would have complemented the new kid's moxie.

For now, Flynn is content to grit his way through Green Bay training camp with hopes of seizing an opportunity to showcase his potential. Comparisons with a legend are the last thing on Flynn's mind at the moment: "I'm going out there and trying to learn it as fast as I can, as best as I can, and trying to perform well."

In the immediate future, he will continue to fly under the radar as he learns. But someday, don't be shocked if Flynn becomes somebody's version of Favre.

|STAR| Quotes taken from Green Bay Packers official website.

- By Luke Hoover, 6/30/2008

Admittedly, I have to give the odds to Manning for having a better 2012 season regardless of where each passer lands. But I sincerely think there are Pro Bowls and playoffs in Flynn's near future. Will he ever live up to the talents or hype of a Favre? Obviously that's not likely to happen. But will he be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL and a starting fantasy gunslinger? I believe it.

So while Manning grabs all the attention over the next few weeks, I'll be keeping tabs on Flynn. If he ends up in Miami or Seattle—his two likeliest destinations in my opinion—I'm buying. Last year I was fortunate enough to back up Aaron Rodgers in my primary keeper league with Matthew Stafford and then sell the latter midseason for Marshawn Lynch. And barring something unforeseen happening, I plan to pull a similar move next year with Flynn. So while many out there will lead you to believe that Flynn will struggle as a full time starter next season, remember when he tops 3,800 yards and 25 TD's that I told you so.