Pats sign John Lynch.

[PatPatriot]

PATS SIGN LYNCH
Posted by Mike Florio on August 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
A league source tells us that the Patriots have agreed to terms with safety John Lynch.

Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowler, could assume the role that the team was exploring for Tank Williams, who recently landed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Williams had been practicing at linebacker.

 

[BAGIANT]

They just keep getting older and older don't they!

 

[midman2161]

They just keep getting older and older don't they!

Their defense will be much younger than last season- brought in victor hobson, jerod mayo, shawn crable, and looking at starting rookie CB wheatley opposite ellis hobbs, with second year meriweather looking at getting much more PT. Reason for bringing in Lynch is to bring in a perennial pro-bowler for leadership and some reps at LB/S to offset the loss of Tank Williams, who was lost for the season.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Lynch looked slow as hell last year and I can't imagine the Pats using him in any type of coverage situation. He is a complete liability there at this stage of his career (ask Denver fans), however, I'm sure Belichick can use his veteran leadership and his ability to come up into the box on run downs and hit someone 5-10 times a game so at low a low cost I guess its a decent move...

As far as the Pats D being "old", that is more a media thing than anything, a few of the LBs were old last year and Harrison was old. The whole DL is under 30, Adalius is like 31 which is hardly old and Vrabel is like 32 so he is starting to get there, the rest of the secondary is all young dudes. The problem with the D last year was Colvin's injury forced Seau and Bruschi to both start inside, when they had infact been a good platoon feeding off one another for the first 8 weeks or so. Think Pats D is still a solid top 5 D that will specialize in giving up yards but not points......

As far as what the Pats did in the draft and FA in terms of stocking up on D, I liked what they did a lot getting Mayo, Wheatley, Crable, Wilhite. Given Belichick's history of drafting, gotta think 1-2 of these guys become real good players in their system. Also, I agree with Midman that Meriweather will be a player, he just needs to learn to hold onto the damn football (Asante couldn't catch ANYTHING his 3rd year in the NFL, then his 4th just blossomed into a ballhawk)

 

[midman2161]

Lynch looked slow as hell last year and I can't imagine the Pats using him in any type of coverage situation. He is a complete liability there at this stage of his career (ask Denver fans), however, I'm sure Belichick can use his veteran leadership and his ability to come up into the box on run downs and hit someone 5-10 times a game so at low a low cost I guess its a decent move...

As far as the Pats D being "old", that is more a media thing than anything, a few of the LBs were old last year and Harrison was old. The whole DL is under 30, Adalius is like 31 which is hardly old and Vrabel is like 32 so he is starting to get there, the rest of the secondary is all young dudes. The problem with the D last year was Colvin's injury forced Seau and Bruschi to both start inside, when they had infact been a good platoon feeding off one another for the first 8 weeks or so. Think Pats D is still a solid top 5 D that will specialize in giving up yards but not points......

As far as what the Pats did in the draft and FA in terms of stocking up on D, I liked what they did a lot getting Mayo, Wheatley, Crable, Wilhite. Given Belichick's history of drafting, gotta think 1-2 of these guys become real good players in their system. Also, I agree with Midman that Meriweather will be a player, he just needs to learn to hold onto the damn football (Asante couldn't catch ANYTHING his 3rd year in the NFL, then his 4th just blossomed into a ballhawk)

Right on.. there is a huge difference between being old and being slow/out of place at times because you are forced to play out of position. Every good defense in the NFL has older veteran players on it. It is not as if we brought in Lynch to start for us at safety- that is NOT the reason for the signing. As far as the Pats secondary, I think it will be fine despite losing a fine player in Samuel. In that defense, the schemes and the preparation as far as being in the right place at the right time are as valuable as the actual players. Supposedly Meriweather and Wheatley have looked very good in camp- brought in Fernando Bryant to start opposite Hobbs, but Wheatley is really pushing him.

Finally, a team's offense can be its best defense, and coming from a training camp report:

"Another difference from a year ago is that Brady and his top receivers, Randy Moss and Wes Welker, have an entire season's experience in the system working with Brady. The QB acknowledged that that aspect has helped the offense make progress much quicker this year.
"I think in ways we are very far ahead of where we were last year. We know what we can do. It’s not about getting lined up in the formation and running the play, now it’s about getting into a better play if the play we called in the huddle isn’t the one we like the best when we line up on the field.
"Those guys can adjust because they know the signals and routes. They know how we want to run. They know the techniques of the defensive backs. I feel like from day one we were way ahead of last year. I hope that shows up when we start playing the regular season."

 

[Joe_Hallenbeck]

So now they have Harrison and Lynch. Two of the biggest cheapshot artists in the game.

 

[Samhain]

Pats will be like the Rams were a few years back. They'll have to score a lot of points to compensate for how much their defense will be giving up.

 

[realestatepro]

The Pats had their one chance at making history, now they are history. They had a true dynasty and they will be remembered as the team of the 2000's but they are done. New blood is taking over and them getting Lynch means nothing. The Browns are desperate for DB's and as far as I know they didn't even look at Lynch.

 

[midman2161]

The Pats had their one chance at making history, now they are history. They had a true dynasty and they will be remembered as the team of the 2000's but they are done. New blood is taking over and them getting Lynch means nothing. The Browns are desperate for DB's and as far as I know they didn't even look at Lynch.

Who did they lose on offense that makes you think that they are done? If anything, with the exception of losing Samuel, they have added pieces that will make them better on defense.. if they don't set one offensive record next year and lose 4 regular season games but win the Super Bowl, it is an improvement on last year, and as long as Tom Brady is in his prime and Belichick is HC, they are the favorite in the AFC to win it all.. yet you declare them "dead"

 

[realestatepro]

Who did they lose on offense that makes you think that they are done? If anything, with the exception of losing Samuel, they have added pieces that will make them better on defense.. if they don't set one offensive record next year and lose 4 regular season games but win the Super Bowl, it is an improvement on last year, and as long as Tom Brady is in his prime and Belichick is HC, they are the favorite in the AFC to win it all.. yet you declare them "dead"

It doesn't matter who they lost or didn't lose, they are one year older and their best reciever/offensive player is entering his 11th season. They don't have that speed opposite of him anymore like they had with Stallworth. Plus, other teams have gotten better which evens the playing field a little more. I don't think they'll go 7-9 or anything, they may win 11 or so games and make the playoffs, but they won't repeat as AFC champs. I guess that is what I'm saying.

 

[Chenmen]

Stallworth is one of the most injury prone players I have ever seen. All I've read about Mayo is that he is the real deal. The Patriots schedule is a joke yet again. This will only bolster their run defense.

 

[realestatepro]

Stallworth is one of the most injury prone players I have ever seen. All I've read about Mayo is that he is the real deal. The Patriots schedule is a joke yet again. This will only bolster their run defense.

Only time will tell. I'm just giving my opinion about what the Pats will do this year.

 

[OTK]

A good pickup. Not a great player anymore, but he still adds something to the team. They should have a very good defense again this year. Although as a Broncos fan I'm not too sad to see him go.

Pats go 15-1 this year, 14-2 at worst. Damn, is this football team good.

 

[steaktartar]

A good pickup. Not a great player anymore, but he still adds something to the team. They should have a very good defense again this year. Although as a Broncos fan I'm not too sad to see him go.

Pats go 15-1 this year, 14-2 at worst. Damn, is this football team good.

agree they were running short of slow white republicans

 

[BASEHEAD]

Pats will be like the Rams were a few years back. They'll have to score a lot of points to compensate for how much their defense will be giving up.

lol...

still have a pretty solid front 4 no?

 

[MikeB]

The Pats had their one chance at making history, now they are history. They had a true dynasty and they will be remembered as the team of the 2000's but they are done. New blood is taking over and them getting Lynch means nothing. The Browns are desperate for DB's and as far as I know they didn't even look at Lynch.

Yeah, we all know how good the Browns are, I mean with all of thier insight, drafting ability, and scouting, they never miss. :nohead:



Please, come back with something better than the "Browns"

 

[realestatepro]

Yeah, we all know how good the Browns are, I mean with all of thier insight, drafting ability, and scouting, they never miss. :nohead:



Please, come back with something better than the "Browns"

Phil Savage is probably one of the elite at scouting players for the draft. Braylon Edwards was a number 1 pick, Kellen Winslow was a number 1 pick, Joe Thomas was last years number 1 pick. What do they all have in common????? They all made the pro bowl last year. They picked up Steinbach from free agency, he's an elite gaurd in the league. They have back up O linemen that can start for most teams. They managed to make trades to get one of the most dominant D linemen in the league, Shaun Rogers. Add to that Corey Williams. I don't know if you watch football, from that comment I'd say you do not.

 

[BAGIANT]

The Giants still have a better defense.

 

[MikeB]

Phil Savage is probably one of the elite at scouting players for the draft. Braylon Edwards was a number 1 pick, Kellen Winslow was a number 1 pick, Joe Thomas was last years number 1 pick. What do they all have in common????? They all made the pro bowl last year. They picked up Steinbach from free agency, he's an elite gaurd in the league. They have back up O linemen that can start for most teams. They managed to make trades to get one of the most dominant D linemen in the league, Shaun Rogers. Add to that Corey Williams. I don't know if you watch football, from that comment I'd say you do not.

Sorry, they are the best in the league. I'm sure they win the SB this year, or the Conference, or Wild Card, or above .500...............You are right, they never have any busts with trades or drafts, thats why they are odds on to win in the playoffs again this year. :think2:

 

[billhill999]

The Pats had their one chance at making history, now they are history. They had a true dynasty and they will be remembered as the team of the 2000's but they are done. New blood is taking over and them getting Lynch means nothing. The Browns are desperate for DB's and as far as I know they didn't even look at Lynch.

The Pats could sleep walk their way to a 14-2 record with that cream puff schedule they have.