Report: Lynch joining Patriots
Veteran safety reportedly inks deal with New England
So long, Tank Williams. Hello, John Lynch.
That’s what one former NFL personnel man believes the Patriots said yesterday when they acquired the veteran safety yesterday via free agency. Williams, who was slotted to play a hybrid safety/linebacker role for New England this season, went down in the preseason opener with a knee injury and placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
That need was reportedly filled yesterday. Multiple reports indicated that Lynch agreed to a contract with the Patriots, with the NFL Network saying it was a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The 36-year-old Lynch is a nine-time Pro Bowler, having played for Tampa Bay and Denver, and is known as one of the fiercest hitters in the league. He asked for and received his release last month from the Broncos when it was revealed he would have a significantly reduced role in Denver’s defense.
The Broncos’ loss was New England’s gain, according to Mike Lombardi.
“I think John Lynch will fill the role of linebacker for the Patriots, the same one that Tank Williams was going to fill,” said Lombardi, who spent eight years with the Raiders and nine years with the Browns as a personnel man, in addition to brief stints in the front office’s of the Broncos, Eagles and 49ers.
“Last year, I felt when watching the Broncos play Houston and Lynch was in the box, he was a very effective player. He could read run or pass, he was not fooled on play action and he had the ability to attack the pocket,” Lombardi said. “He is only a two-level player, but he still can play in that role. And no one will prepare harder or work to be a better player.”
Speaking before practice yesterday morning, coach Bill Belichick would neither confirm or deny the move, saying only, “I can tell you that I met with John [Wednesday]. He came in, we talked and he took a physical. But right now he is not under contract with the [New England] Patriots.
“Until he is, I won’t have any further comment on that other then what I just said, that he was here. If and when that happens, then we will address it but until then I really don’t have any other comment on it.”
Lombardi believes the Patriots are not going to ask Lynch to be the centerpiece of the secondary, but will slot the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Williams into a specific role.
“New England has a specific role in mind for him,” Lombardi said. “Lynch is smart and knows his limitations, and he will help them in specific role.”
Lynch is the latest in a line of defensive free agents who have signed with the Patriots toward the end of their careers. Prior to the 2003 season, safety Rodney Harrison inked a free agent deal in New England. And linebacker Junior Seau did the same thing before the 2006 campaign. Both delivered an instant jolt of energy to the locker room with their attitude and passion, and it sounds like Lynch is set to deliver more of the same this year.
“I still have a great passion for the game of football,” Lynch told reporters soon after he was let go by the Broncos. “I still very much love it in my heart. I still feel like I can compete at a Pro Bowl level, but the situation is going to have to be right. I'm not going to just play for any team or any situation.”
According to The Denver Post, Lynch spoke glowingly of the Patriots and their team-building approach over the last few years. When you combine that with New England’s track record with veteran signees, his old teammates were hardly shocked when they heard the news.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey told the Post. “The Patriots always have a role for veteran players.”
