John Lynch to sign with the Patriots??

[Santos-Stanton47]

"Patriots hosting John Lynch
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 13, 2008
The Patriots are hosting free-agent safety John Lynch on a visit at Gillette Stadium today.

The 36-year-old Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler and one of the grittier, more durable safeties to play in the NFL, was released by the Broncos on Aug. 1.

This isn’t the first time the Patriots have expressed an interest in Lynch.

When Lynch was a free agent in 2004, the Patriots visited with him before he signed with the Broncos.

The potential addition of Lynch could lessen the blow of losing Tank Williams to a season-ending knee injury. "

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/reiss_on_lynch.html


this move is certainly intruiging, although nothing solid, it could provide with the oldest and of course scariest potential for cross routes from defending WRs. With Sanders, harrison, and Tank Williams (Out-Season-LB) all plagued with injuries.

it could help switch out S Meriweather to CB or just create good packages to help stop the new spread offense trend that is trickling into the NFL with big TE's at Slots, and more shotgun action than ever before....of course the patriots were already a step ahead in a new trend to develop....putting big hard hitting safetys like Tank Williams in at LB to help prevent teams from creating too many mismatches in the prevalent spread offense....


What do ya think?
Risky move? Great move for the young DBs with even more leadership or is Lynch simply washed up??

[Addict]

Harrisson and Lynch in the same backfield. Auch.

[eaglesfan_45]

Harrisson and Lynch in the same backfield. Auch.

Auch? no, thats a big senior discount!

[CC.SD]

if I were the Pats, I'd bring Seau back over bringing in John Lynch. He was still making plays for them.

[themaninblack]

Lynch hasn't been anything near what he once was in the last few years. The name's big and the need is there but its not a signing I would be too excited about. I guess if they have the money why the hell not.

[BlindSite]

I'm more curious as to why Merriweather isn't starting or rather, hasn't locked down the job.

[Dam8610]

I don't think he was brought in to play safety. I think they're bringing him in to play the role they were going to have Tank Williams play, which is a bit of a rover role against 3 WR sets.

[Geo]

I would love for the Patriots to use one of their 53-man roster spots on John Lynch. Come on Belichick, you know you want another veteran so bad, screw these punk kids who don't know anything.

[The Great Jonathan Vilma]

i hope they sign him. Now that Pennington and his floppy arm aren't in town, we'd be able to exploit his weak deep coverage (hopefully).

I love Lynch, but he's nothing even close to the player that was a 'force' throughout a game. He's still an intimidator across the middle and in the run game, but his coverage is in the area of Roy Williams.

[ALD]

Belicheck's too smart to use Lynch at safety often. This signing would be to provide further mentoring in the secondary and probably to paly the Tank Williams role.

[NY+Giants=NYG]

Auch? no, thats a big senior discount!



LOL! Yup! Did Seau retire or he still there?

[Matthew Jones]

As Dave said, he'd probably be playing the Rover role that Tank Williams was supposed to be playing, as a safety/linebacker hybrid. That works for me. I'd be very happy with the signing.

[tylerb929]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80a001e4&template=with-video&confirm=true

They officialy signed him, can't say it really helps them much at his age.

[Bigburt63]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80a001e4&template=with-video&confirm=true

They officialy signed him, can't say it really helps them much at his age.

he takes the exact role of tank williams, S/LB tweener on passing downs type of thing. hes not going to start at safety, esp not after joining the team this late in camp. so i cant really see how it hurts at all

[Santos-Stanton47]

As Dave said, he'd probably be playing the Rover role that Tank Williams was supposed to be playing, as a safety/linebacker hybrid. That works for me. I'd be very happy with the signing.

HAHA wow, not just you but everyone seems to overlook how i kinda lead on to his role against the spread, and helping ease the injury of Tank.. but props to everyone on the comments and response....
BB will find a spot for him and he'll be a stud

[bored of education]

I like the signing because he makes the Pats pass defense older and weaker than it already is. Pat Williams would own him!

[thebow305]

He will be a VERY good player for them. Damn I hate NE.

[Addict]

maybe they'll use him a as a cover linebacker or something?

[bored of education]

... um. ok.



he has no business covering anyone. if they play him entirely in run support on running downs, he'll be fine. if they try to play him like shanahan wanted to (re: in coverage), he'll get beat more than roy williams.


People think an overaged player who is defiantly washed up and lacks any physical skills besides hitting will go to NE and thrive. Yet it will be the biggest mistake of his career and he should retire.

[bored of education]

I could beat him on a fly route.

[CC.SD]

Scott could beat him on a fly route...twice.

[jetsfan0099]

John Lynch is washed up. It was stupid that he made the probowl last year...

[neko4]

I think he's there for the same reasons Seau and other aging vets went there. To win a super bowl. He'll be a backup and play ok, but he is a big liability in coverage.