Lynch returning to Broncos in 2008
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 08:58 p.m., February 29, 2008
Updated 09:21 p.m., February 29, 2008
Photo by Ronen Zilberman / Associated Press
Pro Bowl safety John Lynch said he is returning to the Broncos for another season.
After a night of tossing and turning, safety John Lynch has decided he will suit up for the Broncos in the 2008 season.
Lynch agreed to a one-year deal Friday, a full 180-degree flip-flop from what he believed the day would hold when the sun first crossed the horizon.
“I didn’t sleep at all (Thursday) night; I was gone, that was it, I was out of there,” Lynch said. “I went as far as to write a statement telling everyone ’bye and had decided that was it.”
However, Lynch said he met with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen on Friday morning, then with coach Mike Shanahan later in the day. The one-year deal emerged from those meetings.
The formal contract figures had not yet been filed to the league as of the close of business Friday night, but Lynch took a pay cut to stay in a city where “my family is happy, I’ve got four kids in schools and it’s been a great move for us and the organization has been good to me.”
Lynch, in what would have been the last year of his deal, had been scheduled to earn $2 million in base salary for the 2008 season and was scheduled to receive a $1.12 million roster bonus this week.
The Broncos had balked at paying the roster bonus in talks Lynch had with Shanahan on Wednesday and Thursday while also asking the 16-year veteran to take a significant pay cut. The minimum salary in ’08 for a player with Lynch’s experience is $830,000.
The two sides are believed to have discussed additional incentives in the new deal based on playing time and postseason awards. Lynch, who came off the field on passing situations during a string of games in the middle of the ’07 season before playing regularly again down the stretch, also wanted to hear the plans for the defense with Bob Slowik now calling the plays.
“Any time they start talking about reducing your salary, you wonder about their commitment to you,” Lynch said. “I wanted to know the commitment was there and I was comfortable with that (Friday). I’m happy it worked out.
“But if I would have gotten a hold of Mr. Bowlen (Thursday) night, who knows, I was calling to thank him for the four years and get ready to move on, go free agent and play with another team.”
Lynch was an injury replacement for the Colts’ Bob Sanders for the Pro Bowl, making his fourth trip to the game in his four seasons with the Broncos and also the ninth of his career.
Only Hall of Famer Ken Houston has had more Pro Bowl trips as a safety.
ETC.: The Broncos are stressing a patient approach to outside free agents. Their top target may be linebacker Boss Bailey, late of the Lions and brother of Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. He’ll be in town soon. ... Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban visited Oakland. ... The Broncos are expected to have several safeties visit this week, then will decide on a fit. Expect Carolina’s Marquand Manuel among the group. A league source said Jacksonville’s Sammy Knight was meeting with Denver officials on Friday. Also making an early visit was receiver Keary Colbert of Carolina. Denver is looking for a potential No. 2 target after Javon Walker’s release. ... Offensive tackle Cornell Green, who spent 2004-05 as a backup with the Broncos, also was at the club’s facility.
Staff writer Lee Rasizer contributed to this report.
Comments
Posted by Pigskin on March 1, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cornell Green? Glad to see they're serious about refurbishing a weak OL.
Looking at another bargain-basement reject. One who's been through here already and did nothing.
Posted by Broncos4Life on March 1, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really don't know what to think of this team anymore. They used to have some sort of direction, but now they just sign guys who have a proven history of doing nothing. Sometimes they get someone that has some ability but he always comes with enough baggage to choke the DIA baggage system. I have been a Broncos fan my entire life and will continue to follow the team, however, I can't watch the entire games anymore. It's almost painful sometimes watching this circus. Bowlen's loyalty to a coach who has done nothing in the last decade is hard to believe. When is someone going to be held accountable for this mess??
Posted by myerda00 on March 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoa guys (Pigskin,Bronco4life) we only have 10 mill cap space and a draft to pay for. Harris,Kuper,Myers, on the OL and Thomas,Crowder,Dumerville,Moss on the DL. Thats great youth and hope. Throw in skill players Cutler,Marshall,Scheffler,Young and you have your base. So lets add to Williams,Baily,Lynch.
Look for a DL,LB,S that won't break the bank and only last one year. We have two extra draft choices (9) so draft four that will make a difference (like the last two years).
Posted by dilligaf on March 1, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats the deal with Ekuban? Is he hurt more than we think? I was hoping with him back in the picture this would give us depth.
Posted by Denver2050 on March 1, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After so many expensive free agent busts, fans still want the Broncos to spend big in free agency?
Most Bronco fans seem to understand football well, but many fans don't seem understand the salary cap. Year after year the Broncos get burned by prior offseason mistakes. For example, Javon Walker counts $7 million against the salary cap this year even though he was cut!
Sometimes you can predict what's going to happen next offseason just by looking at the cap. Daniel Graham counts $4.15 towards the cap this year and $7.15 next year. Dre Bly counts $4.55 this year and $7.55 next year. Both players are another example of expensive offseason moves that aren't delivering enough value. One thing is certain, neither are productive enough to justify a $7+ million salary cap hit. I think the Broncos should cut both of them.
Meanwhile draft picks deliver excellent value. Brandon Marshall only counts $550,000 towards the cap. Tony Shefler counts $650,000. Elvis Dumervil counts $545,000. The draft is the best way to build a team. If any of you can't understand that by the above numbers, you're idiots!
The Broncos #1 offseason priority next year should be signing Brandon Marshall to a new deal. If I were the Broncos GM, I would have done it this offseason. Marshall is easily worth $5+ million per season.
Posted by Classof65 on March 2, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for staying, John Lynch! We know we can depend on you to give everything you've got...
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