Denvr_Sports_Insider's Blog

[Filed from home today]

I just talked to a player who just had a phone conversation with John Lynch, They told me that Lynch is, “hugely disappointed with the outcome.” This player said that to Lynch, “it seems like the team is going in a whole different direction [at his position].”

I asked this player whether Lynch felt he was deceived about what his role and level contribution would be before agreeing to come back.

For this result to occur after Lynch’s return there had to be a gap between his hopes and expectations, and the reality that eventually came to fruition.

The player at first answered that Lynch didn’t really speak on that.

However he later opined that, “it had to be the worse case scenario for [Lynch] to decide he didn’t want to play and go in there and speak his mind.” The player said to their knowledge Lynch was getting in on base packages, and his reps in other packages were decreasing. The player said that the evident decrease in playing time was, “a hard pill for [Lynch] to swallow. [Lynch] can deal with being a backup, but when you're not involved in all the packages that you're use to…it’s a tough situation.”

The player said that John is player who feels like he’s already paid his dues. Unfortunately the player also told me that the writing was on the wall when the coaching staff, “started to praise Marlon McCree more and more after he would make a play. They were getting more vocal behind him. Players know what that means.”

When I asked the player whether Lynch’s decreasing speed, and declining pass coverage had anything to do with his dwindled defensive presence, the player didn’t want to go there.

All the player said he could do in his conversation with Lynch was to encourage him, adding, “I really feel for him.”  A factor in Lynch’s decision to return to Denver was his desire not to up root his family, the player said. Now all he can do is wish Lynch luck in finding a new team.

But as far as the impact of Lynch’s departure on the Broncos the player said, “It’s a big blow cause Rod [Smith] has retired, so another veteran leash is gone especially for the young guys like Brandon Marshall.”