Fan Pulse: Lynch, Broncos “parting ways”

By Neal Coolong  |   Thursday, July 31, 2008  |  Comments( 14 )

Denver Broncos
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Some NFL teams present the new season to their fans as being something different than the prior year.

It's not just a marketing gimmick for the Broncos.

Already having lost franchise-leading wide receiver Rod Smith to retirement, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that Denver and defensive captain John Lynch "have agreed to part ways," possibly a precursor to retirement for the 15-year veteran safety. The Denver Post is reporting Lynch asked for his release and has left training camp.

Fans on Broncos Country, a message board, seemed shocked to learn Lynch is leaving. Lynch told Glazer he would need the perfect situation in order to keep playing, and it's a matter of speculation to say that situation exists for him at this point. While he would field interest from several teams, one of Lynch's main issues this offseason was how he likely was not going to be a starter in Denver.

That brings up the "R" word that Broncos fans have heard all too much lately.

"wow, I wonder if he'll retire. He probably should, as he probably won't get anymore playing time anywhere else," said one fan.

Lynch played the last four seasons in Denver, earning a Pro Bowl spot in each one. While he was a locker-room leader and was well-liked by the fans in Denver and Tampa Bay (he started his career with the Buccaneers), his play has deteriorated over the past few seasons. Thanks to that, some Broncos fans aren't too upset.

"Sure going to be hard to find a slow white guy to play linebacker for us in the secondary and not cover anyone. And for only 2 million dollars too.... impossible to replace!"

The identity of the Broncos has changed; Smith is out, running back Travis Henry is gone, quarterback Jay Cutler is about to come into his own and their skill-position players are very young. While Lynch may have run the team from a leadership perspective, that job naturally lies with a team's quarterback. Invariably, Lynch's greatest value, his ability to unite a team, will have to fall on another veteran. One poster suggests a lineman.

"...it's time for this to be Jay and Co's team. [Tom] Nalen is going to have to get an Urban Dictionary to keep up with the locker room lingo..."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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