John Lynch Retires

[Dutch]

One of my favorite players of all time. Started off as a linebacker/safety hybrid in a weird 4-5-1 defense the Bucs used to employ when they were in orange. He still basically was a linebacker, but played safety obviously the rest of his career! A lot of hard hits and a classy player.

It's not often that you see a safety retire and a lot of great things are said about them by a lot of great people. There are lots of great football players that come and go, but I was amazed to find so many people had so many great things to say.

Former Buccaneers Fullback Mike Alstott:
“It was an honor and privilege to have played with John for so many years. I was just glad to have been on his team because of the punishing blows he inflicted on the opposing running backs. As a young player coming into the League I was lucky to have a vet like John around as a mentor to show me how to be a professional, how to prepare and how to succeed in this game. John was the true definition of a leader, hard worker and punishing hitter but more so, a great human being. The NFL and the game of football won’t be the same without number 47 lurking in the defensive backfield.”

N.Y. Jets Quarterback Brett Favre:
“He is the epitome to me of what a professional football player should symbolize. His position was obviously a physical position and he played that well, but he always seemed to lead his team and show up week-in and week-out. His character and the way he carried himself symbolized winning and leadership. Guys like John Lynch play a long time for a reason. First and foremost, they are good teammates and good leaders. Players want them around and, more so, coaches want them around. People like John are few and far between and it was a pleasure playing against him.”

Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin:
“He was here in 1996 when I got here. He was one of the first players I met. He was part of the big time change here. I think I remember John Lynch the best as number 47. Those were the days when we had what we called the Lynch Rule. When we called the Lynch Rule, that meant 47 was going to be in the box. He was going to be the eighth guy in the box. Nobody could play it any better then John Lynch. He would light you up.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame Safety Ronnie Lott:
“John Lynch has always been one of the fiercest competitors that ever played the safety position and will go down as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL.”

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning:
“John Lynch is one of the best football players I’ve ever played against. In my opinion, he’s one of the top safeties to ever play the game. His ability to deliver game changing hits caused you as a player to always know where he was on the field. He was an unbelievable competitor, great leader and a class act.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu:
“I have a really unique relationship with John Lynch because in college, when Coach Pete Carroll came to USC, he put in the exact same defense that was used while Lynch played for Tampa Bay; he was very close to Monte Kiffin. I looked up to John even when I was growing up in college; learning from him and doing all of the little things to try to emulate him. I had a blessing in the NFL during my second year when I made it to the Pro Bowl and got to play with him. He has always had the reputation of being a great hitter; one time, while I was making a tackle, he came and hit me in the back; really hard too. He said ‘sorry Troy, I’m sorry.’ I told him that it was actually an honor to receive a hit from him. I respect his game so much that I actually gave him my Super Bowl helmet because he has meant so much to me as a football player. Anybody that knows him also knows that he is a really great individual.”

Former Buccaneers Head Coach Sam Wyche:
“The late Bill Walsh called me before the 1992 NFL Draft and said: ‘Don’t let this guy get away!’ I told him: ‘If I can persuade him to forgo baseball, he will be a Buccaneer!’ John, his wife Linda, and all the parents quickly became special people in my life. John sets the example, then lives it. He commands respect without demanding it. He is a loyal friend, a relentless competitor, an unyielding leader, and a classic winner.”

To read more --> http://www.buccaneers.com/news/newsd...px?newsid=6788

[Kodos]

One of my favorite players as well. He'll be missed.

[MikeVic]

I liked him a lot too.

[stevew]

The 4-5-1 defense is so good it only takes 10 defenders to defeat the opposing team?

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by stevew

The 4-5-1 defense is so good it only takes 10 defenders to defeat the opposing team?

He was talking about the other kind of football.

[Dutch]

Sorry, it's been a long time since they ran that defense. Maybe it was called the 4-2-5?

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

The nickel?

[Dutch]

Now you are going to force me to look this up.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Sorry, it's been a long time since they ran that defense. Maybe it was called the 4-2-5?

Based on all the glowing comments about John Lynch above, sounds like they could have just ran with a 0-0-1 defense.

[Dutch]

http://www.buccaneers.com/news/newsd...px?newsid=6409

Here's a reference to it. In this article, they mention Barney Bussey was the 3rd linebacker, but he was really a safety. John Lynch played as the 3rd linebacker as well. The Nickel is when you have a 5th member of the secondary playing for pass coverage. The 4-2-5 was when you had a light, fast, secondary member play as a linebacker. Basically hoping you could constantly play strong against the pass and run. It was Floyd Peters scheme and it didn't really work as hoped, at least not in Tampa.

[DeToxRox]

He is doing commentary this week already.

[Raiders Army]

Good player and a class act, although I'm not sure why he chose to retire as a Bucc and Bronco.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Good player and a class act, although I'm not sure why he chose to retire as a Bucc and Bronco.

Bucc n' Bronco, get it? Get it?

[spleen1015]

I can't remember where, but I read an article about him and how he's been doing since he hasn't been playing. They talked about his family life and how his kids were doing with him at home during football season.

One thing I noted in the article was how he talked about not getting the NFL player perks anymore. He said he didn't know what it was like to have to pay for cell phone service or buy a car, clothes, shoes, etc. I was amazed at the list of shit he got for free just because he was in the NFL and these companies just wanted him using their products.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I can't remember where, but I read an article about him and how he's been doing since he hasn't been playing. They talked about his family life and how his kids were doing with him at home during football season.

One thing I noted in the article was how he talked about not getting the NFL player perks anymore. He said he didn't know what it was like to have to pay for cell phone service or buy a car, clothes, shoes, etc. I was amazed at the list of shit he got for free just because he was in the NFL and these companies just wanted him using their products.

Is this Dejavu?

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Bucc n' Bronco, get it? Get it?

Heh

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

Good player and a class act, although I'm not sure why he chose to retire as a Bucc and Bronco.

Yahoo! Sports' article has the following:

He felt so strongly about the relationships he built with both clubs that he decided against stepping down in the colors of either team.

So who knows.