Tyler Palko Should Look To Green Bay Packers Matt Flynn As His 'Role Model'

This is Tyler Palko’s moment to shine — the one that back-up quarterbacks wait for years to get in order to seize that opportunity in the limelight. For Palko, the Matt Cassel injury presents not only his first shot at starting in the NFL but to do so in the biggest stage possible for the Chiefs in mid-season — on Monday Night Football against the New England Patriots.

Mike Silver says that Palko has a real chance to increase his stock in the eyes of GMs around the league in his latest column. The NFL has experienced several quarterback injuries lately — from Mike Vick to Matt Schaub and so a few guys can turn heads with good quarterback play this week, Palko included.

He writes, “Failing that (there are a lot of uncertainties about the Chiefs’ immediate future), Palko has a chance to convince potential suitors that he’s worth investing in as a legitimate NFL starter. If that seems far-fetched, think back to the flashes of competence which fattened the wallets of Scott Mitchell and Rob Johnson and, more recently, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kevin Kolb.”

Silver also says that Palko should look no further than the best team in the NFL for his model.

“Palko’s role model should be Packers backup Matt Flynn(notes), who last December subbed for the injured Aaron Rodgers(notes) and nearly led Green Bay to a shocking upset of the Patriots. In his first career start, Flynn completed 24 of 37 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and likely made himself a lot of money down the road.”

Larry Fitzgerald Weighs In On Former Roommate Tyler Palko Starting Against Patriots

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver had nothing but positive things to say about his former University of Pittsburgh roommate Tyler Palko, and his opportunity to start for the Kansas City Chiefs this week against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. Nick Wright of 610 radio in Kansas city discussed Palko with Larry Fitzgerald on Monday night on his show. via 610 Sports in Kansas City.

"Tyler, to be honest with you he's a close friend. But I've never been around anyone as dedicated to the game of football as he is. The sacrifices he's made, the things he will do to be the best...I know he's been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I know this is not the way he wanted to get it seeing his good friend Matt go down with injury but that's the business we're in and I know he's going to seize the moment."

The Chiefs will look to Palko to jump-start a stalled offense that hasn't looked good in two consecutive losses to Miami and Denver. Hopefully Palko can bring something to the table to help this offense move the ball down the field on a consistent basis. Fitzgerald reflected back when he first met Palko and what this opportunity will mean to a player who has bounced around for years before settling in Kansas City. via 610 Sports in Kansas City

"I remember meeting him as a 17-year old kid going to the University of Pittsburgh and dreaming and aspiring to be on the big stage. Now he's finally getting his opportunity and I can't even imagine how excited he is."