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Post by thegreenmeanie on Nov 19, 2008 13:46:35 GMT -5
www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80c95f71&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=trueThe hard-hitting, nine-time Pro Bowl safety retired Monday, saying it was time to begin a new phase of life after 11 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and four more with the Denver Broncos.
He felt so strongly about the relationships he built with both clubs that he decided against stepping down in the colors of either team.
A third-round draft pick of the Bucs in 1993, Lynch was part of a core of young players -- along with Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Mike Alstott, Warrick Dunn and Ronde Barber -- who helped transform Tampa Bay from a laughingstock into a championship team.
The 37-year-old made five trips to the Pro Bowl as a Buccaneer and four as a Bronco after Tampa Bay released him following the 2003 season in what generally was viewed as a cost-cutting move, even though Lynch was willing to take less money to stay.This guy was an absolute beast in his day! That old Tampa defense was really something to be feared. Here are some highlights. It must of been made by a Bronco's fan because there are no Tampa ones, but regardless you can see what this guy brought to the game.
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Post by TW on Nov 19, 2008 14:26:29 GMT -5
Great career! He really gave it all he had.
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Post by thegreenmeanie on Nov 19, 2008 18:40:41 GMT -5
He wanted to keep going, but he had neck problems. A lot like the problems another great Buc had. Alstott.
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Post by packfanforever on Nov 20, 2008 12:40:13 GMT -5
Lynch played safety the way it should be played, with a real mean streak. I'll always remember him making even big, strong guys like TO and Chris Carter pay for their catches on deep crossing routes. You knew he was bringing the wood as soon as they caught a ball.
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Post by needalife457 on Nov 20, 2008 22:51:23 GMT -5
Yeah and he wasn't cocky about it neither, like you said he played the game like it should have been played. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.
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Post by 50poundhead on Nov 21, 2008 9:55:34 GMT -5
Actually, Lynch was a 3rd round pick. And people tend to forget that he was also a 2nd round pick in the baseball draft by the Florida Marlins and played two years of minor league baseball before moving to football. He was quite the pitching prospect with a heater in the mid-90s.
He was a hard-hitting guy, but I also thought he bordered on being cheap at times. It's one thing to bring the lumber, but it's another to simply blind-side vulnerable receivers ala Jack Tatum.
But my complaints are mere quibbles. Give credit where credit is due. The guy is surely HOF bound.
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