It was suggested by Ed O'Leary that the Patriots should look into signing the recently released safety John Lynch now that S Tank Williams is done for the year. Well the Patriots are doing their homework on Lynch and brought him in to Foxborough for a closer look. Good call, Ed.
On paper it seems like signing the former Bronco should allow head coach Bill Belichick to continue his experiment seamlessly. All through training camp Williams was lined up as a inside linebacker in what I assume was a big nickel defense. But I'm not sold on Lynch in that role.
The package that calls for an extra safety is to combat spread offenses while keeping enough bulk on the field for possible run plays. I do believe in Lynch as a hybrid linebacker, but I don't trust him dropping into coverage anymore.
I know I don't have video to base this opinion, but I do trust that Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan knows what he's doing. Last year, Shanahan had turned Lynch into a part-time player, pulling the nine-time Pro Bowler off the field in passing situations. During training camp, Shanahan continued the practice, never having Lynch on the field for nickel or dime packages. Shanahan has come to the conclusion that Lynch is a liability in pass coverage and I trust Shanahan's logic not just because he's on his 14th season with Denver and won two Super Bowls, but because he gives the Patriots fits whenever the teams play head-to-head.
Lynch has played for 15 years. Time and the pounding has caught up to him. If he was going to be a pure linebacker, then I would be comfortable with him as an addition. But but as a hybrid, I want nothing to do with Lynch.
Keywords: Bill Belichick, John Lynch, Mike Shanahan, Tank Williams
