Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Safety Lynch agrees to terms with Denver
NFL notebook
The Associated Press
DENVER - John Lynch is a Denver Bronco.
The five-time Pro Bowl safety agreed to terms with the Broncos Monday as Denver continued to revamp its defense, also signing defensive end Raylee Johnson and agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Luther Elliss.
Lynch played his entire 11-year career with Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers released him last week. The five-time Pro Bowler was a key part of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl team two years ago, but was scheduled to make $4.2 million next season.
Lynch, 32, can play either safety position, although he has played primarily free safety throughout his career.
Johnson, 33, who spent his first 11 seasons in San Diego, signed a three-year, $3.3 million contract that includes a $1 million signing bonus. He is expected to split time with Reggie Hayward at right end, helping compensate for the loss of Bertrand Berry, who signed with Arizona.
The Chargers released Johnson earlier this month to save salary-cap space, but tried to re-sign him. He also visited Baltimore.
The Broncos have added Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey in a trade with Washington, signed defensive end Marco Coleman and re-signed middle linebacker Al Wilson. Elliss spent his first nine seasons with Detroit and was a Pro Bowler in 1999 and 2000, but was released by the Lions in a cost-cutting move.
Lynch struggled with neck problems last season with the Buccaneers and had surgery to remove bone spurs in January. He chose Denver over the New York Jets, coached by close friend Herman Edwards. Johnson has 26 1/2 sacks the past three seasons, but missed the final seven games last year with a foot injury.
PRESEASON: Joe Gibbs will become the first coaching inductee to lead a team in the Hall of Fame game when the Washington Redskins take on the Broncos on Aug 9. The NFL's preseason schedule also has a rematch of the Super Bowl with New England taking on Carolina on Aug. 28 in a nationally televised game (CBS). The Patriots won their second title in three years on Feb. 1, beating the Panthers 32-29. Gibbs, making his return to Washington after 11 seasons out of football, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996. The only other Hall of Famer to coach after his induction is George Halas, but Chicago did not play in the game until 1968, the year after Halas stopped coaching the Bears. The Hall of Fame game will be played on a Monday night. ABC will televise.
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