john lynch Archives - Romey's Ramblings

Thank you John Lynch!

November 14, 2008August 23, 2017Jeromey Balderrama

If you haven’t heard the news, John Lynch officially decided to retire and will hold a press conference on Monday.

I just wanted to take a quick minute to thank him for all of he’s done: both on and off the field. John Lynch has been an amazing presence on the Broncos. I remember hearing the news that he signed with the Broncos and went out the next day to pick up his Jersey. I’ve been proudly wearing it ever since.

Like Shannon Sharpe, Lynch has gone out with some gas left in the tank. While I’d love to see him play another year, it’s also good that he’s not Willie Mayes dropping fly balls in the outfield.

I’ll write more later, but I wanted to say “thanks”. If you read into the story, you’ll see that he’s going to retire both as a Buc, and a Bronco. I know in the NFL your retiring teams are a little meaningless, but it’s really cool to see that he’s appreciated his time in Denver – even if it’s a fraction of how much Denver’s appreciated him.

Great story on John Lynch

October 9, 2008August 23, 2017Jeromey Balderrama

I just wanted to pass long this great story on John Lynch, and his struggles in dealing with retirement. Written by Rick Reilly, a fantastic sports columnist. I remember feeling a bit betrayed when he went to the Patriots, but I am sad that he’s not playing anymore. It sounds like Lynch’s experiences are pretty bittersweet. Whether he decides to come back and play (and I always hope he’ll end up wearing Orange & Blue again), I definitely wish the best for the Lynch family. I’m also glad to hear they’re still in Colorado.

A Pat? Say it ain’t so John Lynch!

August 15, 2008August 23, 2017Jeromey Balderrama

This is a few days old, but still noteworthy nonetheless. A few weeks back I was saddened to hear that John Lynch asked for his release from the Broncos at the start of training camp, seeking a team where he could play a full-time role. Things remained quiet for a few weeks, but the news broke: The New England Patriots signed John Lynch.

As a Lynch fan, I’m happy he’s still playing in the NFL. He’s an amazing player, and nothing will take that away from him. As a Broncos fan, I’m definitely disappointed and actually feel a little betrayed by John.

When the story of Lynch’s release request broke, it was said he left because the Broncos weren’t playing him full time:

From ESPN:

“[T]wo sources close to the situation said, because he is unhappy with his role. He has been working with the first-team defense in the first week of training camp but not in nickel and dime defensive packages. He has admitted that not playing significantly bothered him.”

I definitely could respect that, except for the analysis that came out about Lynch’s signing.

From John Clayton’s blog on ESPN:

“Lynch can fit into packages that would allow him to play 10, 15 or 20 plays a game. Belichick is the best at figuring out ways to use veterans and not wear them out. He did the same with Junior Seau, who enjoyed his Patriots experience so much that he’d love to come back.”

So Lynch left Denver because he was unhappy about not playing full-time in nickel and dime packages, and goes to a team that will play him 20 plays a game? The knee-jerk in me wants to think that this was a hypocritical move and can’t help but feel a little betrayed.

At the same time, it very may well have been that Lynch watched the phone for full-time starter jobs and when it wasn’t ringing, decided to pursue other options. I’m also a realist, and understand that the Patriots have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl next weekend than the Broncos do – but this isn’t Junior Seau: Lynch has a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay. I didn’t want to see John Lynch go to a bottom-feeder team just to be able to start, but I hate to see him in a Patriot’s jersey. The only thing that would be worse would be Lynch in Raider Silver & Black.

Selfishly, I’m torn about what to do about my Lynch jersey. He’s still an active player and I want to support him as the player, but I would also like to wear the jersey of a current Bronco if I can help it. I have no idea what I’m going to do.

John Lynch leaving?!? [Noooooooo!!!!]

July 31, 2008August 23, 2017Jeromey Balderrama

I was at the gym when I saw the devastating news. I couldn’t read the close-captioning clearly, as the captioning got lost in the bottom TV graphics, so I was hoping my eyes were deceiving me. Sure enough, unfortunately what I suspected was true:

From ESPN:

Longtime star safety John Lynch is leaving the Denver Broncos.

"I’m going to explore all of my opportunities," Lynch said Wednesday night, according to the newspaper. "Is it retirement? Maybe. Is it playing for another team? Maybe. [Coach] Mike [Shanahan] has given me the opportunity to explore that and that’s what I’m going to do. But I won’t be playing for the Broncos."

Surprised? Not really. You could see the writing on the well when Denver signed a slew of young safeties to compete for the starting job. While I was ecstatic that Lynch signed on for another year, I knew that retirement was looming on the horizon, and his chances of starting full-time aren’t what they used to be. It sucks because like the Packers, what’s in the best interest for Lynch and what’s in the best interest for the Broncos don’t coincide.

Depressed? Absolutely. Lynch is still an awesome player, a great character guy (much needed for our team) and has done a lot for the Broncos, and I wish him success wherever he ends up. We’ll definitely be missing him in more ways than one.

Worst of all, I’ll need to get a new jersey. Who do I go with?

Great 1st Sign – John Lynch returns

March 4, 2008January 28, 2021Jeromey Balderrama

This is a few days old and came out while I was in LA, but I’d be remised if I didn’t mention this:

Image from Denver Post

From ESPN:

John Lynch has accepted a pay cut and will return to the Denver Broncos for a fifth season at free safety after pondering free agency or retirement… [Returning] nearly didn’t happen. Lynch had made his decision to leave, even drafting a letter thanking fans and teammates for his four years in Denver. But when Lynch called Bowlen on Thursday night to inform him of his choice, Bowlen was out for a late dinner.

“And then I woke up thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ I’ve got four kids who are happy here. I’ve found a home here, and I didn’t want to be one of those guys going from team to team. I felt I had earned what I had coming to me, but sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture. And the big picture to me was: I had to find a way to make this work.”

John, you and your family aren’t the only ones happy. Denver’s full of fans that are happy you’re coming back and kicking ass for another year. Aside from Shannon Sharpe, Lynch is my favorite Bronco and by far my most favorite active player. Not only is he an amazing player on the field, but a real class act off the field and one of the best guys in all of football. Best of all, I won’t need to get a new jersey.

See the resemblance? 2008 we’re bouncing back!