SoCalBronco
04-06-2005, 12:13 AM
Lynch finally to get his say on hefty fine
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
April 6, 2005
A little more than three months after Denver Broncos safety John Lynch was fined $75,000 for a hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark in the 2004 regular- season finale, Lynch finally will have his say in the matter.
Lynch, who was at the Broncos' facility Tuesday for the team's off-season conditioning program, will meet face-to-face with NFL officials at the league's Manhattan offices a week from today as part of his appeal.
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"And I'm optimistic. . . . I really am," Lynch said. "I'm confident once we lay things out, things will work out."
Lynch has said all along the intent of the appeal is to "protect a reputation I am proud of." At the center of Lynch's appeal is a letter, which he received days after the Jan. 2 game, informing him of the fine.
In a section of the letter, signed by NFL director of operations Gene Washington, who doles out discipline for the league, Washington wrote "future infractions of the type you have committed can lead to increased disciplinary action, up to and including suspension."
The letter also stated the league would "remind" the officiating crew before the Broncos-Colts wild-card playoff game the next weekend that Lynch, by rule, could be ejected for a similar hit. Lynch originally had sought a retraction of that warning, but his request was denied by the league.
It is rare for a fine letter to stipulate officials would be reminded of something before a game, and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan repeatedly has said he never had heard of another fine letter containing such a warning.
After Lynch's appeal, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will make a ruling.
In February, Lynch voiced his concerns to the NFL's competition committee about the league's system of fines in which penalties often jump from $7,500 for the first infraction to $75,000 for the next. The committee includes Colts general manager Bill Polian.
"I think everybody on both sides had a better understanding of what some of the players' concerns are with the fines when we were done," Lynch said. "I don't know how happy Bill was, but I felt like it was a good exchange."
WORK IT: Newly acquired defensive end Courtney Brown, who missed 14 games at Cleveland last season after he tore a ligament in his left foot, quickly is getting acquainted with Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos.
Brown already has been given an injury rehabilitation program by the Broncos that includes stretching and strength exercises as well as running in a pool.
Brown, who in February had screws removed from the foot that had been inserted to aid the healing, will be ready for at least some football drills by May at the earliest. However, he said Tuesday he expects to be at full speed by training camp.
The first pick in the 2000 draft, Brown has missed 33 career games because of injuries.
"Right now, I just want to move forward, put that in the past and take it one day at a time," he said. "I'm looking forward to being here."
YOUNG SIGNS: Safety Chris Young, who played in 10 games last season, has signed his one-year tender offer for $455,000.
Young, entering his third season, was an exclusive-rights free agent, which means he could negotiate only with the Broncos unless the team had released him.
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
April 6, 2005
A little more than three months after Denver Broncos safety John Lynch was fined $75,000 for a hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark in the 2004 regular- season finale, Lynch finally will have his say in the matter.
Lynch, who was at the Broncos' facility Tuesday for the team's off-season conditioning program, will meet face-to-face with NFL officials at the league's Manhattan offices a week from today as part of his appeal.
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"And I'm optimistic. . . . I really am," Lynch said. "I'm confident once we lay things out, things will work out."
Lynch has said all along the intent of the appeal is to "protect a reputation I am proud of." At the center of Lynch's appeal is a letter, which he received days after the Jan. 2 game, informing him of the fine.
In a section of the letter, signed by NFL director of operations Gene Washington, who doles out discipline for the league, Washington wrote "future infractions of the type you have committed can lead to increased disciplinary action, up to and including suspension."
The letter also stated the league would "remind" the officiating crew before the Broncos-Colts wild-card playoff game the next weekend that Lynch, by rule, could be ejected for a similar hit. Lynch originally had sought a retraction of that warning, but his request was denied by the league.
It is rare for a fine letter to stipulate officials would be reminded of something before a game, and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan repeatedly has said he never had heard of another fine letter containing such a warning.
After Lynch's appeal, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will make a ruling.
In February, Lynch voiced his concerns to the NFL's competition committee about the league's system of fines in which penalties often jump from $7,500 for the first infraction to $75,000 for the next. The committee includes Colts general manager Bill Polian.
"I think everybody on both sides had a better understanding of what some of the players' concerns are with the fines when we were done," Lynch said. "I don't know how happy Bill was, but I felt like it was a good exchange."
WORK IT: Newly acquired defensive end Courtney Brown, who missed 14 games at Cleveland last season after he tore a ligament in his left foot, quickly is getting acquainted with Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos.
Brown already has been given an injury rehabilitation program by the Broncos that includes stretching and strength exercises as well as running in a pool.
Brown, who in February had screws removed from the foot that had been inserted to aid the healing, will be ready for at least some football drills by May at the earliest. However, he said Tuesday he expects to be at full speed by training camp.
The first pick in the 2000 draft, Brown has missed 33 career games because of injuries.
"Right now, I just want to move forward, put that in the past and take it one day at a time," he said. "I'm looking forward to being here."
YOUNG SIGNS: Safety Chris Young, who played in 10 games last season, has signed his one-year tender offer for $455,000.
Young, entering his third season, was an exclusive-rights free agent, which means he could negotiate only with the Broncos unless the team had released him.