John Lynch Leaving Tampa

Deattribution · 03-11-2004, 03:17 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1756924

TAMPA, Fla. -- Five-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch won't be back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season.

Although the Bucs had not yet released the 33-year-old, Lynch said Thursday he was given permission to talk to other teams after the Bucs turned down his request to restructure a deal that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005.

Lynch will be released later Thursday, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

"I take great pride in the fact that in my career in the NFL I have never and will never play for a contract, rather any success I've had is the result of my play, my passion for the game I love, and the game I respect so much," Lynch said in a news conference held at a radio station in his hometown of San Diego and broadcast live in Tampa.

"Those values never changed in this process. This decision was not a result of my unwillingness to restructure my contract. ... As a result, I will be playing football next year for a different team."

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen scheduled a news conference for later Thursday.

Tampa Bay has restructured the contracts of linebacker Derrick Brooks, cornerback Brian Kelly and offensive lineman Kerry Jenkins to create room under the NFL's $80.6 million salary cap.

The team has signed eight players, including former Oakland running back Charlie Garner, while ignoring the biggest Tampa Bay free agent on the open market, defensive tackle Warren Sapp.

Sapp's agent said Tuesday that the seven-time Pro Bowl selection had not yet received an offer from the Bucs and would begin talking to other teams.

Lynch has played his entire 11-year career in Tampa Bay and along with Sapp and Brooks helped transform the Bucs from the laughingstock of the league into Super Bowl champions.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Looks like the Bucs are gonna look quite different next year with Keyshawn, Sapp and Lynch gone.

Neuqua · 03-11-2004, 03:19 PM

I'd love for the Bears to quit wasting their time on Sapp and look into getting Lynch.

Ksyrup · 03-11-2004, 03:37 PM

So how in the hell does ESPN get the headline, "Lynch Leaves Bucs By Choice After 11 Seasons" out of that story?!

"Although the Bucs had not yet released the 33-year-old, Lynch said Thursday he was given permission to talk to other teams after the Bucs turned down his request to restructure a deal that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005.

Lynch will be released later Thursday, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton."

So let's see...TB didn't want to pay him what he is currently making, and they didn't want to renegotiate to a lesser amount, and they are going to release him later today...but this is Lynch's CHOICE?!

This might be TB's way of letting him go "with dignity," which is a nice thing to do, but it doesn't at all reflect the reality of the situation.

BigJohn&TheLions · 03-11-2004, 04:12 PM

Bet he ends up with the J-E-T-S!!!

Franklinnoble · 03-11-2004, 04:32 PM

It's the curse of the Chunky Soup Commercial.

Ksyrup · 03-11-2004, 04:38 PM

Getting old is certainly a curse, but when you get old and lose your teeth, soup is a saving grace. So I don't think that quite applies to Lynch.

So, are you saying that McNabb is next?

You know what the curse resulted from? The fact that these guys are pawning off actresses as their mamas. That shit ain't right, and they're being picked off, one at a time.

Franklinnoble · 03-11-2004, 04:53 PM

Yeah, McNabb is next... if T.O. makes it to Philly, you can blame Campbells.

03-11-2004, 03:19 PM	#2
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	I'd love for the Bears to quit wasting their time on Sapp and look into getting Lynch. __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

03-11-2004, 03:37 PM	#3
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	So how in the hell does ESPN get the headline, "Lynch Leaves Bucs By Choice After 11 Seasons" out of that story?! "Although the Bucs had not yet released the 33-year-old, Lynch said Thursday he was given permission to talk to other teams after the Bucs turned down his request to restructure a deal that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005. Lynch will be released later Thursday, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton." So let's see...TB didn't want to pay him what he is currently making, and they didn't want to renegotiate to a lesser amount, and they are going to release him later today...but this is Lynch's CHOICE?! This might be TB's way of letting him go "with dignity," which is a nice thing to do, but it doesn't at all reflect the reality of the situation. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

03-11-2004, 04:12 PM	#4
BigJohn&TheLions College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York	Bet he ends up with the J-E-T-S!!! __________________ In the immortal words of a great alcoholic, "Can't we all just get along?"

03-11-2004, 04:38 PM	#6
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Getting old is certainly a curse, but when you get old and lose your teeth, soup is a saving grace. So I don't think that quite applies to Lynch. So, are you saying that McNabb is next? You know what the curse resulted from? The fact that these guys are pawning off actresses as their mamas. That shit ain't right, and they're being picked off, one at a time. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 03-11-2004 at 04:39 PM.

03-11-2004, 04:32 PM	#5
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	It's the curse of the Chunky Soup Commercial.

03-11-2004, 04:53 PM	#7
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Yeah, McNabb is next... if T.O. makes it to Philly, you can blame Campbells.

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