John Lynch checks in
FOXBOROUGH -- Safety John Lynch spoke with members of the media after participating in his first practice with the Patriots today.
"This was a place where it nearly happened four years ago when I went to Denver," he said. "I was extremely impressed and always have admired this organization from afar. You come out here, and you have star players all over -- Randy Moss to Tom Brady, to [Mike] Vrabel, [Tedy] Bruschi, Rodney [Harrison], you can go on and on, [Richard] Seymour, [Vince] Wilfork, but to me, the thing that has impressed me the most is the way they play the game. I think they play it the right way. They embody the sense of team as well as anyone. That's led to the success. I think everybody in the league wants to be a part of that. Never did I think ... I thought Denver would be my last stop, but things happen, and I'm happy to be here."
Some more of the Q&A:
Did anything surprise you today?
“I think I functioned well on such little sleep. I was out here early in the week, went home to discuss it with my family, felt good about the decision, came back and learned the playbook in one night, and got through it pretty good. That was a good first day.”
Do you still feel like you are an every-down player?
“We’ll see. I think you produce and things like that happen, so that’s what I’ll do. I’ll just try to come out here and be the best I can be and see where that leads us.”
In Denver, the word was that you left because it was a part-time role. You could be a part-time player here …
“I’m looking forward to being here. I think, as I said, for all the reasons, this is a place where they utilize veteran guys very well and when someone has a track record you’re interested in being a part of that. So I’m extremely excited about being here.”
You wouldn’t have any chance of playing on Sunday against another former team – the Buccaneers -- would you?
“Again, I studied hard last night, picking it up. We’ll see. If they want me out there, I’d love to be out there. I’d love the opportunity in my old stomping grounds.”
What was your first reaction to the playbook and scheme?
“You know, if you’ve played football long enough it’s all similar concepts, just different names for it. That can be hard because old habits die hard, and so you go through a translation. You see a defense and say ‘this is that’. But they did a great job getting me up to speed. As I said, I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep, but came out here and pulled it off for the first day. So it was good.”
How close did it actually get with the Patriots in 2004?
“It was very close. A lot of that experience, as I said, I never thought I’d … I thought Denver would be my last stop. But I was always said that if I had an opportunity to come back here, this would be a place where I’d love to play. I think that experience helped me make my decision, and hopefully helped them make their decision. I’m very excited about it.”
In your opinion, what is it about here – the coaches, the players -- that makes people want to come here?
“I think everything. People want to be involved with success. The fact that they’ve been very successful I think makes it a place where a lot of people want to be, but you also understand that what they’ve done in the past doesn’t really stand for a whole lot right now. We have to create another season by going out there every day and working our hardest. This week it’s Tampa. Looking forward to that test.”
Throughout your career, two of the hardest hitting safeties are you and Rodney Harrison. How much have you admired him from afar? How much are you looking forward to playing with him?
“Very much so. I’m from San Diego, so in offseasons and whatnot I’ve run into Rodney a couple times. We’ve always admired each other’s play. It will be great to be able to play with him.”
Did you ever measure yourself against him in the 90s and early 2000s?
“I think our careers – this is his 15th year, my 16th – so obviously when you’re in the game, I don’t think so much measure, but I studied him. You try to emulate guys that are the best, and take little parts of their game. I think he’s a guy I’ve always respected for the passion he plays with and the way he plays. It’s going to be fun to play with him.”
What did you learn from him?
“Hopefully we can both teach each other some things. Sometimes you learn things from young guys. That’s the great thing about this game. You’re never done learning. You never have it figured out. That’s the challenge that keeps guys going.”
You had a great following in Denver. Some fans were sad to see you go. What would you say to those fans who are having a tough time seeing you in a different uniform?
“It was a wonderful four years. Everybody treated me incredibly. I have no regrets. I gave it everything I could there. My only regret is that we didn’t get done the ultimate goal. Denver still may be home for us, so it’s nothing but positive thoughts there. Just thank you to the people there.”
What are your thoughts on Bill Belichick and your past dealings with him?
“I had the opportunity, as I said, to visit here a couple of years ago. I played for him over at the Pro Bowl. I have tremendous amount of respect for him and his knowledge of the game. I’ve been very fortunate. I played for the likes of Bill Walsh in college, and in the NFL, the Shanahans, the Grudens, the Tony Dungys. I’m excited for the opportunity to play under him.”
What did you have to do to get jersey No. 47? Vince Redd, a rookie, previously had that number.
“I didn’t even know someone else was in it, and they were giving the other guy a hard time. Seeing that he’s a rookie, I don’t think I have to do a whole lot. They took care of the dirty business. But I’ll take care of him – I’ll take him out to dinner or something.”
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John, you are a lying chump. Don't bother moving back here when your over-extended career is over, we don't want you living next to us.
Signed,
Broncos Fans
Love the Broncos fan above... from the city that brought us Shannon Sharpe, the most classless athlete ever.
Don't be a sore loser, Donkeys fan. Lynch has never been a liar. He's just smart for leaving the Donkeys for a great team. The person who should be called a liar is Mike Shanahan who said the Donkeys would make the playoffs. Nope. This will be their fourth straight year they go on an early vacation.
Hey Orange and Blue,
Wipe the tears with our 3 Super Bowl champion T-shirts that I can send you in the mail... Or better yet, when was the last time the Broncos even made the playoffs? Get over it, enjoy watching Harrison and Lynch smash everyone in the secondary while your Broncos go 3-13... Oct 20th it is on... Foxboro will be Rockin...
We'll gladly take him off your hands, as its becoming evident that Jake Plummer was a better Quarterback than Jay Cutler. Do you always dump your players that help you win? Denver 6-10 this year if you're lucky!
Orange & Blue,
You do not speak for Bronco fans... Have you never changed jobs for something better? If the Broncos had lived up to their word and given Lynch a true chance to compete for the position, he would still be here.
Face it, the Broncos have no chance to win the Super Bowl & the Pats do.
I wish there were more professional athletes with the class and the integrety of John Lynch. Good luck to Lynch...I hope you get another ring!
I live in Colorado so naturally I'm a Bronco's fan-John is a class act-whereever he goes he will contribute
Hey! Bronco DOPE! Stop talkin out your arse! You should love Lynch after all he did for that crappy organization! Your Football team stinks as bad as your baseball team! The Broncos won't even sniff the playoffs this year by the way! Enjoy your terrible team and I hope Lynch moves next door to you, makes you his BIATCH and kicks your dog daily! Idiot!
Never in my life did I ever think I would have a prayer answered. Well I was wrong. John Lynch is such a controled reckless maniac on the field and I love it.
Hey Bronco's I hope he walks over to your sideline and gives you all the finger not the middle one but the one we are so accustomed to here in "TITLE TOWN" and that would be the index finger straight up in the air showing the world who's #1. Now stop crying like a bunch of sally's and get your team ready for a whooooopin. Oh yea can you say Brady to Moss. Hahahahahahaha
Hey Donks fan, keep crying, your anger makes me laugh out loud.
Eat your heart out while Lynch is in the playoffs and you're enjoying another rotten season.
Your tears are like sweet nectar to me, mmmmm yum yum.
Want a hankie?
Great my favorite all time player is going to my least favorite team (Yes I live in New England). John you were the heart and soul of the Bucs. Best of luck to you here in New England. I'll root for a GREAT game for you but I hope the Pats lose every game.
Bronco's haven't been to the playoffs since Jan 14 2005. Ugly on both sides, but, umm, at least Champ didn't return that 100yd pick for a TD?
I don't care about Denver or their fans opinion...I think John Lynch is a terrific
football player that plays with a rare abandon and the Patriots are lucky to have him...I feel real soon John will prove his value to the team!! I certainly wouldnot like to be a receiver when John comes up in the box.....Between him and Rodney
we have two of the hardest bangers in the league patrolling our deep secondary !!
Can you ask for more ????
Hey, at minimum, Lynch suggests in the interview he'll continue living in Colorado. That means more tax dollars for your slightly-less-Socialist-than-ours society. Win-Win!
Welcome to New England Mr Lynch.
It will be a pleasure to watch you in this system.
We'll gladly take him off your hands, as its becoming evident that Jake Plummer was a better Quarterback than Jay Cutler. Do you always dump your players that help you win? Denver 6-10 this year if you're lucky!
lynch just gave the boring details saying how much hes always wanted to be here...like any player its the money...im more excited about lb mayo than lynch...hes lucky if he has anything left in the tank......
Perspective:
Lynch is one of the quality veterans that is the core of the Patriot's personna.
I only wish we could lure Jr. Saeu back, because it is that type of player that is the rock of this team. I was hoping we would try to get Jason Taylor, because IMA, he went on the cheap.
How much money do the Pats spend on winning the Super Bowl every year? Yeah thats what I thought. I dont think there is enough room in Gillette Stadium for all those gigantic Bostonians heads, luckily its open air.
Never in my life did I ever think I would have a prayer answered. Well I was wrong. John Lynch is such a controled reckless maniac on the field and I love it.
Hey Bronco's I hope he walks over to your sideline and gives you all the finger not the middle one but the one we are so accustomed to here in "TITLE TOWN" and that would be the index finger straight up in the air showing the world who's #1. Now stop crying like a bunch of sally's and get your team ready for a whooooopin. Oh yea can you say Brady to Moss. Hahahahahahaha
Bronco's haven't been to the playoffs since Jan 14 2005. Ugly on both sides, but, umm, at least Champ didn't return that 100yd pick for a TD?
Donkey Fan...I can never forget Mr. Keep it Classy Shannon Sharpe and his call the National Guard routine...you can never lose enough games for that crap...what a pathetic organization
Judy and I met John through a mutual friend, Jerry Wunsch, a former right tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We lived next door to Jerry in Gulfport, Florida, and met John and a lot of his friends at Jerry's wife Melissa's birthday party about 10 years ago.
He is as nice a gentleman with as much intelligence and good looks as anyone we have ever met in professional sports. He was loved by the fans in Tampa and we know he will be a great addition to the Patriot legacy on and off the field.
John Lynch said i am a Buc forever
and that's the way it is!
HE IS OUR PRIDE AND JOY
I'M happy that John Lynch is out of Denver if he wants another ring it could be with New England.... Just wish he was back in Tampa
John didn't leave the Broncos........the Broncos left John.....so...he moved on!!! #47 a great humanitarian!
john lynch is old, he whiffed tackles and didnt run, hamza abdullah and marlon mccree are way better
18 straight then BOOM lost the big one. That had to suck!!
wow, so much hate towards the broncos. you know we have had more winning seasons than the pats right? Ya you have a dynasty thats great for now, but what about when pretty boy brady retires, or moss gets hurt, then what? Funny thing is I respect the pats, but I despise their fans. Patriots fans talk so much crap but you guys sucked for a very long time before you got Bill. Now you are finally good and you just put everyone else down??? great sportsmanship guys!!!!
Oh by the way, sure was quiet in "TITLE TOWN" last february.....lmao.......buncha jokes!!
Football is a brutal sport and John was more brutal than most.
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