Lynch is doubtful for Lions

Sore neck likely to sideline veteran safety, who would be replaced by John Howell.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 12, 2002

TAMPA -- John Lynch is the demolition man for the Bucs, but his latest collision likely will force the Pro Bowl safety to miss Sunday's game at Detroit, ending his 62-game starting streak.

Lynch remains sore from a strained neck he sustained after hitting running back T.J. Duckett in the first quarter of the Bucs' 34-10 win over the Falcons, but diagnostic tests revealed no fracture or spinal cord damage.

The Bucs downgraded Lynch's status Wednesday from questionable to doubtful and said he has not been cleared to practice.

Second-year pro John Howell, who recorded a critical sack of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on his first play after replacing Lynch, is preparing to make his second pro start.

"I do believe he has some soreness in his body and in the neck area, and for that reason, we're going to be very careful and let time heal this injury," coach Jon Gruden said. "Hopefully it'll happen quickly, because we sure need him out there."

Gruden said Lynch no longer has the numbness in his hands and arms that he felt immediately after his collision with the 245-pound Duckett. Lynch was not available for comment, but he said in a statement released by the team that he was relieved tests on his neck were negative.

"I feel much better and I'm making a lot of progress," Lynch said. "I'm going to do everything I can to get ready to play, but it's unlikely I will be ready for this week's game at Detroit. I was concerned when I went down but I'm very relieved that all the tests came back negative and I'm excited to get back on the field."

Bucs players were reluctant to count Lynch out.

He has not missed a game since Week 9 of the '98 season and recovered from a severe knee sprain earlier this season to return to the lineup the next week against Cleveland.

"I've known Lynch to not practice all week and go out and warm up and he's in there on Sunday," linebacker Derrick Brooks said. "I'm not counting John Lynch out of this game whatsoever. If he can't go, we've got to show the strength of our depth."

Howell demonstrated that Sunday against the Falcons. With the game scoreless with 3:06 left in the first quarter, Atlanta was driving and faced third and 1 at the Tampa Bay 39.

The Bucs were anticipating a run by Duckett or Vick and called for Howell to blitz. Vick faked the handoff and rolled right on a bootleg, only to find Howell waiting for him.

"It was somewhat of a blitz, but it was more of a run blitz," Howell said. "I was anticipating run, but I just read out of it. Looking at the film, I can't really pinpoint any one key that I noticed. But I just felt it more than anything. I could kind of see the ball fake, I could kind of see the footwork and I was able to read out of it and he almost got outside of me. But I was able to hold on."

Howell, who added five tackles to go with his first career sack, said the play gave him a confidence boost.

"It's a real important game against the Falcons and we've got to have the win," he said. "It's not something where I went in the fourth quarter and we had a big lead. It's still 0-0 to where you play a major part in that game. To go in on a big third down and 1 and to get that stop, it was a big momentum swing for us and to be a part of that, it gave me great confidence."

Howell's tackle of Vick was memorable, not just because he was all that stood between the quarterback and the open field but for the way he dragged Vick down by his shirt.

Howell said his background as a state champion wrestler who grew up working on a ranch in Mullen, Neb., helped his tackling technique.

"Some of the stuff I did growing up from a real early age, wrestling calves and different things, the branding, the ranch, there's a lot of hands-on, lots of grip, different situations you get into working in an environment like that," he said. "I definitely think it's carried over to football. And also being a wrestler since I was 3 years old. Lots of being on the ground, grip, different things like that. I think my background helps with my tackling skills."

Howell also credits his improvement to Lynch, who mentored him from the time he arrived as a rookie from Colorado State.

"But when he gets on the grass, (Lynch) can't make plays for him," defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin said. "He's a starter. If you've got a helmet on and you're one of the 11, you've got to step up and make plays. And to his credit, he does that."

It's a good thing. The Bucs cannot afford a dropoff, needing a win Sunday at Detroit to clinch their fourth straight playoff spot.

"Lynch is the type of guy, if he had to, he'd be on the field tomorrow," Howell said. "I prepared all week for the Cleveland game when he sprained his knee the week before in Atlanta. The guy goes out and runs around the field the Sunday before we play them and says 'I feel all right, I'm going to go.' The guy is a hard-nosed tough guy, he's a warrior. But something like this, he's going to be smart with. He's not going to push it too hard. We've got a lot to look forward to this season and if he can get himself healthy this week and finish strong, that's what he's going to do."