Lynch is leaning toward Broncos
John Lynch is not coming to New England. But Patriots fans may take solace in the likelihood that Lynch won't be an annual visitor, either, as the rival New York Jets also are on the verge of losing out on the five-time Pro Bowler.
It appears Lynch, a Tampa Bay Buccaneer the first 11 seasons of his career, will be wearing a different shade of orange this year. Last night, a source close to the player indicated the safety is leaning heavily toward choosing the Denver Broncos over the Jets and Oakland Raiders.
Lynch's wife, Linda, and father, John, a former linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, are said to be in support of Lynch joining the Broncos. A decision could come as early as today.
The Broncos meet Lynch's top two criteria. Denver would be a good spot for his family (which lives in Del Mar, Calif.) and the Broncos are perennial Super Bowl contenders.
The source said Lynch also was attracted to the idea of stepping right into the starting lineup and being the unquestioned leader of Denver's defense, which ranked fourth in the league last season but was exploited by Peyton Manning and the Colts in the first round of the playoffs.
The Patriots never made Lynch a formal offer, according to the source.
Sapp a Raider Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp agreed to a seven-year, $36.6 million contract with the Raiders yesterday, ending his nine-year relationship with the Buccaneers.
"The bad news is I won't be back with the Bucs," said Sapp, 31. "The good news is I'm a Raider."
The surprise move came only a day after Sapp's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the one-time NFL defensive player of the year was close to signing with the Bengals.
Sapp's contract is expected to be signed within a few days, pending the passing of a physical.
"Warren Sapp is another popular player to join the organization just like a Jim Plunkett, a Rod Woodson, and a Jerry Rice," Raiders spokesman Artie Gigantino said.
Sapp will receive a $7 million signing bonus. He earned $6.6 million last year in the final season of a six-year, $36 million contract he signed in 1998.
Vikings sign Bennett The Minnesota Vikings signed free agent punter Darren Bennett to a two-year contract. Bennett was a two-time Pro Bowler in nine seasons with San Diego . . . Safety Mike Logan re-signed with the Steelers for three years. Logan is a native of McKeesport, Pa., and signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent in 2001 . . . Linebacker Adalius Thomas re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens for three years.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
