Why We Love John Lynch in N.E.
Chad Klassen
Love of Sports Correspondent
During the post-mortems at Gillette Stadium soon after the Super Bowl loss in February, the talk focused on the Patriots’ aging linebacker core and the pressing need to inject some youth into their defense.
They partially addressed this issue in the offseason, drafting Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo. However, injuries in camp, especially to Tank Williams, have decimated New England defensively.
The seemingly desperate situation in which New England’s found itself ultimately resulted in the defending AFC champions signing safety John Lynch to a one-year deal worth about $1.5 million.
The 36-year-old Lynch was granted his released by Denver at the beginning of August, not seeing much playing time in Broncos camp. He feels he still has a lot to provide the Patriots, still being one of the more ferocious defensive players in the game.
Even if injuries weren’t an issue, picking up a guy like Lynch would’ve been a savvy move. It vastly improves a defensive unit that suffered significantly in free agency, with the departure of both Asante Samuel and Randall Gay leaving a gaping hole in the secondary.
Lynch had been working out in Foxboro the last couple days on a conditional basis, but he’s a proven commodity that shouldn’t have needed to practice to win over the Patriots’ coaching staff and earn a spot on the squad.
The bottom line is it totally changes the dynamic of New England’s defense. Lynch can not only to roam the secondary as a pass defender, but can also step up from his strong safety position and puts some lethal helmet-to-helmet hits on opposing players.
It’s this kind of intimidation that has quarterbacks, running backs and receivers on the lookout for him, fearing he’ll unleash one of those devastating blows while filling the holes.
Now, it’s clear Lynch isn’t the same player who helped the Buccaneers turn their franchise around, becoming a key contributor in that dominant defensive unit that was the main reason for Tampa’s Super Bowl XXXVII celebration in 2002.
That said, he wouldn’t be contributing as he did during his prime in Tampa Bay, but he’ll be a vital piece to another Patriots championship run this year.
Remember that during his four seasons in Denver, starting in 2004, he made the Pro Bowl every year, and the last two seasons were rebuilding campaigns that saw some struggles defensively with a decimated front seven.
In New England, where defensive talent throughout the roster supersedes that of the Broncos, Lynch will be put in situations where he can make big plays, especially in a system designed to disguise coverage and confuse even the best offenses.
And knowing Belichick’s approach to the game, which fosters a winning environment in the lockerroom, this will be a motivated team ready to bounce back and avenge its agonizing Super Bowl defeat.
The Pats are out to prove they’re the greatest team in the history of football, and Lynch will fit that kind of winning attitude perfectly.
Now that he’s officially signed, the 15-year veteran will most likely suit up against his former team, the Buccaneers, in preseason action on Sunday. And we’re jumping on the Bandwagon right away.
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