Part-time job doesn't suit Broncos' Lynch

Situation 'wasn't right,' safety says of diminished role

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 31, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.

Text size  

• 11 Comments
• Email
• Print

Photo by Ken Papaleo © The Rocky

John Lynch talks to the media about him leaving the Broncos on Thursday.

John Lynch already has his first job offer.

Coaching a bunch of 9-year-olds in fall baseball probably isn't what he had in mind, though.

Make no mistake, the nine-time Pro Bowl safety might be done with the Broncos, with his official release likely coming today, but he isn't necessarily finished with the NFL.

"It's not just based on playing time . . . ," Lynch said Thursday, citing a key reason for the dissolution of his four-year Broncos relationship.

"I'll talk to a team, and I think have a pretty good gauge of a situation that will be right. I'll consider my family. I'll consider everything. And if one presents itself that feels good and feels like something where I'd put forth the commitment, then we'll see."

At various points, Lynch thought he was at peace with a potential part-time role. But in the end, after nearly a week of absences from various pass packages during training camp, the 36-year-old couldn't stomach the reduced role.

"It wasn't right and I couldn't make it right," he said in his farewell news conference at Dove Valley.

Lynch admitted he liked the chemistry of this team and believed success was at hand, but, ultimately, he didn't want to prolong a situation in which he's uncomfortable.

Lynch figured he shouldn't prolong the inevitable, given his gut feeling was a change was needed.

"I tried to take an approach, coming into camp this year, where I was just going to enjoy every opportunity to get on the field and every second," said Lynch, who decided to stay in Denver in March despite taking a pay cut.

"It was different in that, for the last 14, 15 years being a starter in this league, the expectations for the organization were that I play at a Pro Bowl level and help carry a team. This year, I think I was treated fairly, but there really were no expectations, so it was a different scenario for me.

"I think I handled it well. I prepared myself at an incredible fitness level and was ready to play but, ultimately, it wasn't the right situation."

Coach Mike Shanahan said Lynch approached him on the penultimate day of minicamp in June and asked where he stood on the depth chart. At the team's annual bowling tournament, Shanahan, after conferring with his staff, told Lynch he would be a starter in the base defense but not in the nickel and dime packages.

But Lynch, after soul-searching, never called Shanahan to tell him he was wavering on coming back and arrived at training camp July 24 ready to resume his likely Hall of Fame career.

Yet, while Lynch did play on run downs early in camp, he rarely got a chance to prove he still could be a full-time player against the pass, where his matchup skills widely are seen as on the decline.

He skipped the team meeting Tuesday night and missed practice Wednesday morning to ponder his future, which led to his decision to leave.

"John shared with me that he'd lost some concentration in base packages and made some mistakes he'd never make just because he was thinking about playing and not playing all the time," Shanahan said. "I understand his thought process and respect it."

One potential landing spot for Lynch is San Diego, his hometown. The Chargers have expressed interest in the past.

"I still have a great passion for the game of football and very much love it in my heart . . . ," Lynch said. "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 just going to play for any team in any situation."

If it's the end, Lynch will finish with nine Pro Bowl appearances, the second most among safeties, and 191 starts, most among all defensive backs.

He ranks fourth with 1,277 tackles (789 solo) by defensive backs, since 1993.

"You can't replace the type of leadership and experience and things of that nature," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said.

But the scenario that unfolded this week wasn't totally unexpected.

"We knew somewhere down the road John was going to have to make a decision and see where he fit into the defense this year and there would be a crossroads somewhere down the line depending on how things worked out during the preseason games," Slowik said.

Marlon McCree now has what Lynch wanted. He's playing in Lynch's vacated spot and in the pass packages, alongside strong safety Hamza Abdullah.

"I knew John would never be happy not playing every down," Shanahan said. "That's what makes John John. But some players accept the role if they aren't starters. They can kind of work with the young guys and build up their game.

"Some guys are competitive - they want to be out there every down - and, if not, they'd rather retire or they'd rather go to another team where they do that. John's going to check out his options."

• July 31, 2008

  5:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  incognitoboy writes:

  wow. this stinks.

  thanks, john! we appreciate all your hard play and leadership. hope you find the right place to land, even if it is san diego.

• July 31, 2008

  5:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncoFaninLA writes:

  John:

  If you end up in San Diego, it will be the first time I have ever seen "ego" anywhere near your name.

  Thanks for setting a great example for our team and our city!

• July 31, 2008

  5:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denmex writes:

  take care 47 will miss ur hart on every play u have bean an example of how the game and life r supoused to be played.

• July 31, 2008

  7:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  FTR writes:

  John Lynch is a class act and we the Bronco Nation will miss you dearly! The intro to the Comcast preveiw on Denver Broncos .com has Lynch putting the smack down on the goal line! Love that clip!
  You are a class guy, Denver Broncos are a class act. I think there has been mutual respect given here. I total release to find a new team or do what ever you decide to do without comp to the Broncos. I would only hope that John Lynch stays a Class Act and returns the respect given him not to sign in the AFC West.
  This is only me being hopeful and looking out for my Broncos! But I have to be trueful to myself! John Lynch you go do what is best for you and your family and even if I find myself cusing you in a Charger's or (God forbid Raiders) team jursey then so be it. Thanks for your 110% effort on and off the field here in Denver.
  God Bless and Good Luck
  FTR

• August 1, 2008

  1:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ToddDixon36 writes:

  John Lynch is a first class pro and also a great guy. No one in Denver should have one ounce of ill will towards this guy. Shanahan handled this with class by offering his release. The guy is a warriar and I hope he does get a shot to play. Fact is the speed of the game and a safety at his age are tough to overcome. I can't blame either side. Shanahan is doing what he feels is best for the team by reducng his playing time. Lynch has a lot of pride and fact is if he cannot start every down he may decide to hang up the cleats. Hard for a guy of his stature to accept a reduced role...lions at heart want to play every down.

  I do want to publicly tell a story about Lynch and what he did for my son and nephew at a game in Arizona a couple of years back. After thumping the Cardinals he was walking towards the tunnel and stopped to give his sweatband to my son and glove to my nephew who were leaning over the wall. When some guy (in his 30's) tried to take the glove away Lynch reached up and grabbed his hand to make sure this guy would not take my son and nephew's prized possesion. John Lynch saved this guy from getting a first class a**kicking by me and my group, taught this "adult" a lesson, and established two young fans for life.

  The word "hero" is used way too loosely with athletes. Fact is they play a game and entertain us. For doing this they get paid well and we get to escape our normal life to cheer for a team and go with the high's and lows. Hero's are established by what they do for society and the lives that they touch-soldiers, cops, teachers, and many others who go unrecognized by the media.

  I can count on one hand the number of pro athletes I have ever considered a hero. John Lynch, with the example he set (charity work, work ethic, what I witnessed in Arizona, etc...) is one of those heros and the type of guy I could tell my son "try and live your life like this guy does".

  John Lynch is a class act...best of luck to him and his family.

• August 1, 2008

  6:30 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  Yes John thanks for being the class guy that also provided solid play. You said you where sorry for not being able to bring a SB back to Denver. But you don't need to say your sorry you did your part. Now I only have one thing to say. Play as long as you feel you can be competitive, but don't do what a lot of players do and tarnish your legacy by staying to long. (Farve)

• August 1, 2008

  10:30 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Chelle writes:

  John you will be missed. Everybody wear your Lynch jersey with pride this season.

• August 1, 2008

  11:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Colo38 writes:

  Great job Shanahan/Slowik! For the first time as a Broncos fan I'm embarrassed! We have a first class player in Lynch and we lose him. We finally have a role model in the community that makes GREAT choices unlike Carmelo Anthony and Brandon Marshall and we let him walk out the door.

  I would think as the new defensive coordinator you would at least give the man a chance to lose his position. I guess Slowik can makes personnel without watching him in a nickel or dime situation.

  Lynch I hate to see you go but you can still compete at your Pro Bowl level. Go prove Shanahan/Slowik wrong

  Sad day Broncos fans!

• August 1, 2008

  12:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fastnloose writes:

  Lynch your a great guy,you gave the game your all,but it's time to realize you need to turn the page.Don't go out like Farve,I know you will have more class than him.

• August 1, 2008

  3:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  4gColoNative writes:

  Thank you, John, for your great game and being a contributing member of the community. We've been proud to have you as a Bronco and I hope you get the opportunity you want to continue to play.

• August 2, 2008

  10:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kevin27 writes:

  Lynch was great in run support and can still lay the wood, but lets all be honest with ourselves with the fanhood aside. Mr. Lynch couldn't cover anyone last season. The tight ends and recievers of this leauge are only getting bigger, faster, and stronger. It was the right time for Lynch and the Broncos to part ways. If we are serious about going to a Super Bowl this year, we need a free safety with some speed that won't get burned on a consistent basis.

Featured

• Rocky Multimedia

  

  The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.

• Holiday Lights

  

  Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.

• Holiday Gift Guide

  

  Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?

• Mount Crushmore

  

  Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.

• Bronco Dean's rant

  

  Listen to Bronco Dean's midweek rant on the Chiefs.

• Broncos Video

  

  Get the latest from Dove Valley as the Broncos prepare for Sunday's matchup.

• Calendar wallpaper

  

  Download this month's desktop wallpaper calendar

• Sam Adams' Open Mic

  

  Open Mic: Stirrin' the Soup with Matt Iseman

• The Rocky @ 150 Years

  

  Read the Rocky's coverage of Colorado's cannibal, Alfred Packer, in 1886.