  The synchrotron reflection scenario recently proposed to explain $\gamma$-ray
flares observed from blazar jets is studied. Our analysis takes into account
the angular distribution of the beamed radiation, the finite extent of the
scattering region, and light travel-time effects. We compare energy densities
and powers for synchrotron, SSC, reflected synchrotron (RSy), and external
Compton (EC) scattering processes. If the width of the scattering layer is much
larger than $\Gamma R^\prime_B$, where $\Gamma$ and $ R^\prime_B$ denote the
bulk Lorentz factor and comoving-frame radius of the plasma blob, respectively,
then the ratio of the RSy and synchrotron energy densities $\sim 4 \Gamma^3
n_{BLR} \sigma_{T} R^\prime_B$, where $n_{BLR}$ is the mean particle density in
the broad line region (BLR). Our results imply that Thomson-thick scattering
regions of narrow extent must be present for the synchrotron reflection
mechanism to operate effectively. This process seems unlikely to cause flares
in lineless BL Lac sources, where X-ray and TeV flares are common and the BLR
is thought to be weak or absent. We sketch time profiles of flares for various
scenarios, including a model where the blob is energized by sweeping up
surrounding material.
