Another Hall Miss For John Lynch
February 1st, 2020
It’s official.
Again this afternoon, for the seventh consecutive year, Bucs legend John Lynch is a Hall of Fame finalist who didn’t make it to Canton.
Maybe this will be the year the Buccaneers organization and some key ex-Bucs will decide not to give a second-rate effort in supporting the Lynch candidacy.
Lynch was not among the final 5 modern day finalists elected today to the 2020 Hall of Fame class. He is among the 10 finalists getting a copy of the home game.
Former Broncos and Jets safety Steve Atwater got in. It’s Atwater’s 16th year of eligibility and his third time as a finalist. He was a hell of a player, but better than Lynch? Nope.
The Hall of Fame selection process has become extremely political in recent years. For example, look at how the Steelers issued a formal news release last month centered around quotes from Tom Brady supporting Troy Polamalu for this year’s Hall of Fame class. That’s just one tiny example. Teams and Hall finalists are doing all kinds of things behind the scenes to try to influence voters.
It wouldn’t surprise Joe if a scandal popped up at some point. So far, the Hall has avoided it.
And when something is political, well, then you have to play the game or be left out in the cold.
Joe has no problem saying the Bucs didn’t maximize their social media capability in supporting the Lynch candidacy, and that’s just one example of the Bucs simply not caring enough to play to win for Lynch. Also, too many ex-Bucs didn’t step up to do their share to influence votes on behalf of Lynch.
Derrick Brooks did a lot behind the scenes, and out front, but there’s a whole lot of crickets from too many others.
Again, it’s time for the Buccaneers to take helping get their iconic safety in the Hall seriously.
Hey Team Glazer, you can start the effort on Feb. 15, or you can wait until after Thanksgiving. What’s it going to be?
It’s an incredible honor to be a @ProFootballHOF finalist. I want to congratulate all of those that have been selected to this year’s class. I believe my time will come…..in God’s time. #Faithful – Let’s go win a Super Bowl!
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) February 1, 2020
February 1st, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Bummer.
Pulling for him to win tomorrow. Sorry, Ira.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Win a couple of Super Bowls with the 49ers and he’ll get in, as a player and a GM.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:08 pm
I blame JayMiss.
Peace, out
February 1st, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Good try Uncle Ira!
February 1st, 2020 at 5:19 pm
It’ll be nice when he gets in next year here in Tampa.
God’s time.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Put the blame where it belongs, with the dipspit
voters. Tough to blame the Bucs organization if the voters are that ignorant
February 1st, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Both John and Ronde gets in next year, Bucs win the SB in Tampa and Bucs play in the HOF game (o.k., I will put it down in a few more minutes)
February 1st, 2020 at 5:41 pm
Atwater? Are you kidding me? Good player but not even close to Lynch’s level.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:43 pm
ANOTHER SWING & MISS FOR IRA. HE’S REALLY DOING ONE HELL OF A JOB.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Until this team starts winning there wont be any spotlight on past and present for this team. If they didnt suck the last decade he’d already be in. Deion Sanders insults bucs on a weekly basis and has never liked them.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:52 pm
Next year is the year for Mr. Lynch to get into the hall of fame. I believe this 100%. It would be kind of cool too with the Super Bowl in Tampa!
February 1st, 2020 at 5:53 pm
Primetime had the guts to say it and I’ll ditto his statement. Too many players are getting inducted which is watering it down. Soon we’ll need a hall within the HOF for those who were truly generational; the Wing of Distinction.
February 1st, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Ira doesn’t have enough pull writing for a blog run by “journalists” who hide behind the “Joe” pen name. I’m convinced of it. Stop blaming the organization and blame the voters.
Maybe a writer like Stroud has more pull in that room than Ira who knows
February 1st, 2020 at 6:17 pm
If Lynch was on NE or Dallas he would be in
NFL WAKE UP Start picking the Top players not the ones you like
Lynch is the MAN
February 1st, 2020 at 6:23 pm
I’ll never forget that crucial catch Lynch made in 1987 against the Lions. Testeverde threw a perfect pass and Lynch ran the distance. What a great game and what a great year for the Bucs…..1987!!! Ohhh the memories….
February 1st, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Loyal, that’s an interesting take.
February 1st, 2020 at 6:39 pm
It’s rigged, NFL awards and HOF is just a popularity contest, Lynch was more of a force than Atwater, and Isaac Bruce got in , what did he ever do against those John Lynch Bucs defenses? Yeah didn’t think so, also Edgerrin James? Don’t get me wrong he was great player but come on now HOF give it to where it’s due, guarantee if all these guys weren’t on these big market teams they’d get no notoriety, IM SICK OF IT
February 1st, 2020 at 6:45 pm
[You couldn’t be more wrong. — Joe]
February 1st, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Y
February 1st, 2020 at 7:07 pm
I would take Lynch over Atwater all day, every day and twice on Sunday!
Lynch, Barber and Rice all deserve to be there.
February 1st, 2020 at 7:07 pm
You guys are funny trying to question Ira and his clout. Sad set of rejects you are. Presenters don’t bat a 1.000 and QBs don’t magically make bad teams playoff teams. Freakin mouth breathers.
February 1st, 2020 at 7:08 pm
The only effective thing Ira does is criticize Jameis. How can a Super Bowl winning superstar for two teams with talent and on field contributions to the game and safety position not make it into the Hall
of Fame? Have Ira arguing on your behalf. The California media will get Lynch into the Hall of Fame. Ira just needs to take a step back and let the real talents go to work.
February 1st, 2020 at 7:16 pm
[Hell yes Joe censors… when necessary. Joe is responsible for every word typed on this site, including folks hiding behind a fake name living in Largo. If you happen to type complete and total nonsense, especially about one of Joe’s employees, it’s not going to go through. Sorry. — Joe]
February 1st, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Joe of the Bucs don’t tell you what they do behind the scene doesn’t mean they aren’t doing it. Be realistic if he was from most other teams maybe he gets I already but he has had unfortunately been up against players that played in huge markets. At same position. If you have insight from a person at bucs telling you they did nothing than state it
February 1st, 2020 at 7:45 pm
If they wanted to put Atwater in,
He had to go before lynch, who will get in eventually
February 1st, 2020 at 8:30 pm
Well, rather re-affirms my belief that the voters are out dated. Tired of them passing on him. Hope he wins a SB Sunday!
GO JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 1st, 2020 at 8:36 pm
Dammit! Go 49ers.
February 1st, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Been a Buc fan for so many years now I don’t remember when it started….. Again Lynch doesn’t make it into the Hall, but does it really surprise anyone?? Year after year the Bucs continue to get treated like the invisible franchise. Don’t get me wrong, they do bring a lot of it on themselves. I think I’m more surprised anymore that players want to sign on with Bucs when year after year they get shown that if you want to be remembered in the NFL the Bucs are not that team. Lynch can’t go into the Hall, Barber is a system corner, leading sack leader can’t make 1st team all pro, Evans did something that only Moss has done and gets talked about for 2 seconds nationally, and last you have a ILB in David that no matter how great he is gets treated like a second team scrub….. and this is just this year!! Joe, I know you think Jameis makes the Bucs relevant, but time after time this team is treated like a joke. Wining is the fastest way to turn around the optics of the Bucs, but having a Super Bowl winning team and all time great D can’t even get you in the Hall. I’ll continue to root for the Bucs year after year, but management needs to start getting this team into the eyes of the fans outside of Tampa and into prime time of the NFL so players see they can have legendary status playing for the Bucs! The hose job the Bucs get year after year is just disgusting! Good try Ira!! I hope you’ll have help next year to make Lynch going to the Hall a slam dunk!!
February 1st, 2020 at 8:53 pm
One last thing and I’ll get off my soap box…. Until last year I didn’t know this site was even out there and it took me a very long time to even find it. I think you guys do a great job getting the Bucs and their players out to the public and work your butts off to try and make the Bucs relevant. Owners of the Bucs should have you on payroll because of how much you do for the Bucs. I think Jenna Laine for ESPN probably gets held back on how much she can print about the Bucs, but I think it’s sad when you work for a company like ESPN and you hardly ever do articles on the Bucs. Plus the articles that get done aren’t very in-depth or ask the hard questions. I really think she can do really good but espn or the Bucs hold her back. Keep pushing Joe’s!!! The Bucs really need all the help you give them to get them into prime time.
February 1st, 2020 at 8:59 pm
Imho, John Lynch and Mike Alstott both should be in the HOF…
Lynch was a smart, tough football player and a true enforcer…
Mike Alstott was the last great fullback; loved to see the A-train and Lorenzo Neal line up in the backfield…that was like trying to stop train followed by a semi truck….
February 1st, 2020 at 9:18 pm
Joe do you think maybe the Glazer’s were hoping they could get Lynch in next year when they host the Super Bowl? Defientally wouldn’t hurt getting a little extra pub. Makes sense from a business standpoint.
I also like the idea someone mentioned above about Ronde possibly getting more consideration next year. Maybe the Glazer’s make a massive push to get both in next season? Plus it would be really cool to see both of them get inducted together. Heck, maybe I’d just head out to Canton for that one. Though I’m not big on sappy speeches.
February 1st, 2020 at 9:26 pm
I can’t believe shaq Barrett did not win the defensive player of the year!
February 1st, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Bs he didn’t get in. Absolute travesty. No respect for the Bucs. Btw joe why has there been no mention of big nasty and Keith kunzig winning his honor? That isn’t a player award but an award for fans and he is a hell of a fan. I thought this site would have covered that for sure.
February 1st, 2020 at 9:32 pm
I don’t think Barrett even got votes for DPOY.
February 1st, 2020 at 9:41 pm
Nvm he got 2 of the 50 votes. I’ll await the Rodney Dangerfield “No Respect” article. What a sham.
February 1st, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Maybe he hasn’t gotten in 7 times because he isn’t worthy or maybe because of the way it is presented… I think in my opinion it is a little bit of both.
February 1st, 2020 at 10:17 pm
If that’s the way you feel Joe be honest with your customers/readers ….. call this site Joe Bucs/Chiefs fan.com (Ira is a Bucs fan, as well as a Chiefs fan, which he’s been since the early 1960s. You have a problem with that. OK. Joe doesn’t tell anyone how to be a fan, even if it’s for two teams.–Joe) bet you would lose most of your reader’s/customers hence your business goes under.
February 1st, 2020 at 10:20 pm
Ira Schiff
February 1st, 2020 at 11:00 pm
i wanted Lynch in and I think Jameis throws too many ints… im just a racist
February 1st, 2020 at 11:03 pm
Shaq didn’t deserve dpoy. When you know football at least the basic you realize that Shaq results are in most part because of suh. Jpp. Vea ,Blitzing scheme. So with that being said he’s not worth what he wants ! (15m-20m) is a joke. He’s worth around 10 m a yr.
Shaq didn’t not make his teammates better or the unit. It was was the opposite.
So a 3 yr 30m 15 guaranteed is good.
February 2nd, 2020 at 1:13 am
Tons of finger pointing in this article and none of it aimed at the lack of franchise relevance since Lynch was ejected from the franchise. There is simply nothing left to say about his credentials because if that’s what it’s about he would already be enshrined. Owners pumping pub and ex teammates hitting the media circuit won’t move the needle either.
Let’s face it. This football team has been so reliably beatable and often embarrassing for so long that there is none of the continuity of pride in the franchise that anyone other than torchered Bucs fans can appreciate that would make the connection to the John Lynch past. He deserves to be there but he did it with a consistent failure of a football organization. It’s on the owner’s but there is no glad handing and wheel greasing that can fix it.
We just sucked too much after he left and that’s all people associate
February 2nd, 2020 at 1:51 am
3rd rate franchise.
He’ll get in someday!
Just deal!!!
February 2nd, 2020 at 4:43 am
It’s comical at this point and I’ve done enough ranting on the subject of bias and shenanigans in the hof process. Max Planck once said that science advances one funeral at a time and I think that the same holds true for Lynch and Barber’s hof candidacies. I’m not advocating for anyone’s demise but until some of the buffoons up North pass on to the next life, our guys will likely never get a fair shake.
I’m sure you did your best Ira (btw you and Tom McEwen were my favorite favorite writers at the old Tribune), but the game appears to be rigged. They are more than deserving and will get in eventually.
February 2nd, 2020 at 5:39 am
Atwater?!?! Atwater … over Lynch?!!
February 2nd, 2020 at 7:37 am
Atwater is a joke . Well not a joke but you know what i mean
No way he is before lynch mob
And from reading these posts …
Honestly how cAn you be a passionate fan for 2 teams?
Just dont get it
February 2nd, 2020 at 8:17 am
I think this has to do with the CTE stuff. Lynch’s highlight reels are nothing but penalties and ejections in today’s game
February 2nd, 2020 at 9:52 am
I just don’t understand how Atwater gets in before Lynch. What was the case for Atwater his numbers were nowhere close to Lynch.
February 2nd, 2020 at 12:47 pm
If one is a true HOF player, that player needs no help from anyone. To me it’s black and white. Either you are or you are not. You don’t need lobbying from anyone. Steve Atwater was better then John and Troy is on another level then John.
Like I’ve maintained from day one. John was very good and that should be acknowledge and was in the ring of honour but he is not a HOF player. If John were black he wouldn’t have been a finalist ever in my opinion. He’s a a glorified white football player and just for the record I am white.